Raising your own chickens is the new black. Seriously. I haven’t gone down this alley due to my abundant wildlife issue. My property is teaming with hawks, raccoon, fox, and other hungry animals. I couldn’t bear to see them killed. But if you are thinking about raising backyard chickens, read 14 reasons how raising chickens can save your garden and the environment.
Thanks to Happy Chicken Coop for sending me this wonderful infographic which lays it out plain as day why raising your own chickens benefits the Earth. Be sure to add your own ideas in the comments below.
Raising Backyard Chickens to Save the Environment and Your Garden
My favorite reason to have chickens is giving them your table scraps. Although I compost, my voles and mice think I have created a resort for them. Even though I have a rodent screen, you would think my composter is sitting on a sinkhole. It is now about a foot lower than the surround garden bed.
So, I would rather give the scraps to my chickens if I had them and discourage the voles. (Remember, I have a regular zoo on my property.)
And who doesn’t love the fact they are insect eating magnets? I know a bunch of Mexican bean beetle larvae they could have…
And squash bugs...
And cabbage looper worms.
All these chickens would need is a side of guacamole and let the party begin.
Join the Conversation:
Do you own chickens? If so, how do they benefit your garden?
Photo by Sh4rp_i
Green Bean says
I have had chickens for about 6 years now. The first few months was rough but now that I am used to chickens, I love having them be part of my garden system. I say garden system. NOT garden. I almost never let the ladies free range. They have an enormous predator protected coop and run and I let them into a fenced area during the day. But into the garden? Oh hell now. They may eat the bugs but they will eat everything else and dig up any new plants where the soil is soft.
That said, their poop is a welcome addition to the compost bin. Almost all kitchen scraps go through them. The litter from their coop/run makes a fantastic fertilizing mulch. And the eggs are the best.
marJorie @ this is so good... says
Backyard chickens are on my wish list for the future! Not allowed where I live now. Pinned!
Megan Stevens says
Oh my goodness- this is quite amazing!!! I knew a few of these. But I loved learning more and deeper specifics. Thanks for the excellent insights! I hope back yard chickens are in our future!!
Norm Brown says
I have to be honest; I didn’t give this topic a second look until I ran into a neighbor 3-days ago that has chickens. I had no idea since we live in the burbs; but very cool and much more eco-friendly than beef livestock.
http://bit.ly/1Ruk0DN