Today at Pickled Barrel, we’re looking at the reasons why raising backyard chickens is so popular. Raising backyard chickens fits in perfectly with living a rustic lifestyle, so what better place to talk about it than here? If you possess the traits of someone who lives a rustic lifestyle, you would love raising backyard chickens!

Why Raising Backyard Chickens Is So Popular

In today’s world, people seem to care more than ever about where their food comes from. They also care more about spending time in nature and caring for the world around them. These are great reasons to invest in raising backyard chickens, and the reasons why it is so popular seem to stem mainly from these concerns. But they aren’t the only reasons to consider raising your own backyard chickens.

Fresh Eggs

Eggs from your own backyard chickens actually do taste better than eggs you purchased from the grocery store. How so? It’s really simple. Because backyard chickens have more access to natural food sources, the make-up of their eggs is different from commercially produced eggs. Home raised chickens tend to eat more bugs, grass and other vegetation. You’ll notice that the yolks are richer and darker in color than supermarket eggs. They really do taste better!

Because chickens eat bugs they find around your yard, they are very valuable for pest control. They eat ticks, worms and other bugs you may not like eating your garden vegetables and plants. And that cuts down on the amount of insecticides you need to use!

Raising backyard chickens is very popular with families! Believe it or not, chickens do have their own unique personalities that make them as fun to raise as any other pet. Children benefit from helping to raise chickens, because they learn valuable lessons about animal care and where their food comes from. Kids find chickens pretty fascinating!

Yes, chickens do produce waste. And they do drop it wherever they are. But the benefit to that is the natural fertilizer for your lawn and garden. Some backyard chicken enthusiasts put down a bed of straw for their chickens, and then once the straw has been soiled just add it to the compost bin.

Speaking of the garden, when there is some inevitable waste or extras you can’t use, the chickens will! Chickens adore tomatoes, the peaches that fall from the tree, and even watermelon rinds. All of these things enrich their diet and their eggs.

Raising backyard chickens is just plain fun–and you get fresh eggs as a definite benefit. Are you ready to try it?

For all you need to know about raising backyard chickens, visit Backyard Chickens.