If you have been wanting to raise chickens, you may want to check to see if you are zoned to have some in your own backyard. Many people are interested in having their own chickens so they can have fresh eggs each morning. Besides eggs, there are many more benefits to having chickens. 

In addition to their chicken feed, you can pretty much give them any of your food scraps and they will dispose of them. You can later use the waste as compost. Once composted, chicken manure can add the nutrients you need to make your garden grow! You do not want to use it raw because it will be too strong and could destroy your plants completely. 

Chickens are also great for pest control and can be great family amusement. They can also teach responsibility to all members of the family, as each person can play a role in their care. Plus, who wouldn’t love watching their loved ones chase them around the yard for a few minutes? 

There is some time and commitment needed to care for chickens. You will need to build them a proper coop or purchase a ready made one from your local feed store. Make sure you have a proper amount of nesting boxes to accommodate the chickens you have. You will need to learn how to properly feed them in order to ensure great egg production and keep them safe from outside predators. 

I would suggest talking to your local feed store to find out where to purchase your new chickens or even trying out a local farm swap. You can save a chicken from the slaughterhouse by finding out which ones have been given to shelters because their egg production was lower than anticipated. 

Don’t forget, after you handle your chickens, make sure you wash your hands! 

If you don’t have chickens or can’t have them, don’t fret! Do some research and I bet you can find some for sale nearby or a house that will be happy to sell you their fresh laid eggs!