2012 05-15 CCP - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

1 1... aY A, � January 18, 2009 ADD ACOMMENT E,i0) li L1 bSBIfi`f missing backyard chickens Even before the so-called free-range or organic eggs in the grocery store hit $4 a dozen, thousands of people around the country were discovering the benefits of raising their own backyard chickens. Besides the obvious benefit of a regular supply of eggs, here are eight benefits of starting your own backyard flock. 1) Eggs from well -tended bac`yard chickens are healthier. Factory farmed chickens live their lives without ever touching the soil or being allowed to hunt and peck for bugs- They are fed an unnatural and unvaried diet. These environmental conditions are designed to produce eggs quickly and cheaply in the factory farm. But the result is an egg that is less nutritious than eggs produced by chickens allowed to exercise, peck for bugs and engage in their natural chicken-y behavior. In contrast to factory farm eggs, eggs from backyard chickens have 25 percent more vitamin E, a third more vitamin A and 75 percent more beta carotene. They also have significantly more omega-3 fatty acids than factory farmed eggs. 2) Eggs from backyard chickens are tastier. Eggs purchased in the grocery store can be days — even weeks —old. As these eggs age, air seeps into the naturally porous eggshell, degrading not just the nutrition, but also the taste and affecting the consistency of the egg. Fresh eggs from backyard chickens have firmer whites and bright orange yolks. (That's the beta carotene). But the real difference is in the taste. Backyard chicken eggs have a more robust taste that is difficult to describe - Eggs from backyard chickens are more nutritious and tastier than store-bought eggs. 1 of 4 4116/12 9:34 AIMEight benefits of raising backyard chickens - National GaFdc;iin.,_,_ ht_ 112 , �+k�ke.c�t+�tiltrt.cUnt tarc�ct�in,�iii_n;ilicm:a.=-;;lit- l;�nclil_-,-... 3) Chicken droppings enrich your compost. Chicken droppings are high in nitrogen. Added to the compost bin they add more nitrogen and improve your compost. 4) Chickens provide natural insect control. As they hunt and peck around the yard, chickens gobble up grubs, earwigs and other bugs, treating our garden pests as tasty, nutritious treats. 5) Their scratching for bugs is good for the soil_ Chickens are enthusiastic foragers and will scratch around in the leaves and soil searching for the tastiest morsels- As they do, they aerate the soil and break down larger pieces of vegetation with their sharp talons, accelerating the decomposition process- 6) Chickens are a great way to -r;eet people and start conversations. People are naturally curious about folks who raise chickens. From brief conversations with the grocery store clerk curious about why I am buying a case of generic corn to fancy dress ball affairs when I describe my hobbies, chicken -talk is fun. People ask genuinely interested questions. (Most frequent question: Do you have to have roosters to get eggs? Answer: No.) In addition, an amazing number of people I have met enthusiastically exclaim "I have always wanted to have chickens!" I'm not sure just what primordial urge is calling all of us to gather little feathered flock, Backyard chickens are funny and interesting. And chicken stories make great conversation starters. Raising backyard chickens teaches children about responsibility and the origins or their food. 2of4 4,16/129:34XM Eight benefits of raising backyard chickens - National Gardening.-. Imp; nntionnl .:i*hf-h;:neli� • �.-- but I suspect a yearning for a simpler time when we were more connected with nature and our food is part of it. 7) Chickens are fun and interesting. Every chicken has a personality —and lots of it. They aren't particularly smart, but when properly socialized, chickens can be very friendly and even do tricks.