| There's something about economic pressures and | | | | to raise chickens sooner. Some chicken breeds will lay |
| hard times that give people the desire to become | | | | upwards of 300 eggs or more per year. Just three |
| more self-reliant. It's been evident in every previous | | | | chickens will provide you with nearly 1000 eggs in a |
| economic downturn. Even during the World Wars | | | | year. |
| trends like Victory Gardens cropped up all over | | | | Chickens provide pest control and fertilizer. |
| America. The basic needs of food, clothing and | | | | While your chickens are eating harmful grubs and |
| shelter became the priority once again. Our nations | | | | menacing mosquitoes, they will also fertilize your lawn |
| current economic crisis has many Americans returning | | | | and garden. Some may not think this part of raising |
| their focus to these basic needs. A growing trend | | | | chickens is exciting until they see how helpful it can |
| these days is the backyard chicken flock. | | | | be. It is possible to achieve odorless composting in |
| Why are raising chickens helpful? The reasons are | | | | your own backyard. Compost the chickens' manure |
| endless but I'll list five economic reasons first. | | | | and shavings as well as grass clippings and household |
| Chickens are cheap. | | | | veggie scraps. Then use the compost to improve |
| If you are going to raise an animal to provide for you | | | | your vegetable garden or patio garden. Raising |
| family, chickens are among the cheapest. Chicks | | | | chickens can help you raise more nutritious |
| usually cost between $2 and $3 each. After that initial | | | | vegetables for your family. |
| cost, the ongoing cost of chicken feed and wood | | | | Aside from these economic reasons there are many |
| shavings are also very inexpensive. | | | | other beneficial reasons for raising chickens. These |
| Chickens need very little space. | | | | are some of them. |
| Most breeds of chickens require only a couple of | | | | - Chickens are great pets. - They are very friendly |
| square feet of space per chicken to be happy. Small | | | | and often like to be stroked and cuddled. |
| chicken flocks are becoming more popular even in | | | | - Chickens are beautiful creatures and have |
| urban backyards because of the ease of raising | | | | interesting personalities. |
| chickens in a small space. | | | | - Chickens are calming. - Cast off the worries of the |
| Chickens need very little of your time. | | | | day by watching your chickens do their simple |
| Once your chickens are settled in, you need only | | | | chicken things. |
| spend a few minutes a day caring for them. I check | | | | - Chickens are educational and promote family time. - |
| on my flock twice a day. In the morning before work | | | | No child can resist a fuzzy baby chick. Involve the |
| and at night before bed, I simply refill the feeders | | | | children in the care of your chickens. Spend time |
| and waterers. The shavings need to be changed | | | | together reading, learning and observing your |
| once every one to three months depending on the | | | | chickens. |
| size of your flock. Do it on a nice day or on a | | | | - Chickens give you peace of mind. - Just knowing |
| weekend when you have about 20 minutes to spare. | | | | that you are doing what you can to provide healthy, |
| Chickens make you breakfast. | | | | organic food for your family will help you sleep better |
| Think of the satisfaction of knowing that your family | | | | at night. |
| will not go hungry or lack the nutritional protein that | | | | I hope you will consider raising chickens to help you |
| they need as long as you have your own egg | | | | and your family pull through these hard times. I can't |
| production in your backyard. After tasting or baking | | | | think of a reason why not. Can you? |
| with fresh eggs you'll wonder why you didn't decide | | | | |