Why Raising Chickens Isn't Crazy

If you've been reading this blog lately, you've read a lot about how my roommates and I have decided to raise chickens. So far it's mostly been the "how" of this equation, and I figure it's about time for the "why".

The girls in the run section of their chicken tractor, 8 weeks of age.

First let me say that my roommates (C & R) and I are pretty conscious eaters. We are all vegetarians, and we buy as much of our food at the farmers market as we can, especially eggs. The three of us have already been sold on the health and environmental benefits of eggs from sustainable farms in our area. That made raising chickens kind of a no-brainer for us, so we just went ahead and did it.

However, as was the case with me becoming a vegetarian, we have since learned about many other benefits to raising chickens in your backyard. They actually are good for your yard (when your dog doesn't turn the area around the coop into a muddy racetrack). With the chicken tractor, which gets moved every week, the waste is spread around the yard relatively evenly, so it acts as a fertilizer. Also, the chickens peck and scratch the yard, which promotes grass growth. Given our recent dry spell, our yard could use a little help. Additionally, chickens eat bugs like ticks and spiders (but not so many as to disturb the overall system).

Another slightly less quantitative benefit is the sheer joy I get out of having them around. Their chirps are delightful, and there is something mesmerizing about watching them peck and scratch at the ground. It is becoming habit to have my breakfast on the back deck, watching the chickens. I never expected to get so much out of my new feathered friends!