Varieties of Chickens: A Record of Our Summer
This summer, we added four different kinds of chickens to our flock. We have the beautiful Silver Lace Wyandottes, the classic Rhode Island Reds, the black Anconas, and the friendly Speckled Sussex. We even have a video of when they were little and adorable. But why did we decide to get chickens in the first place?
Reason #1: Pest Control
Chickens are great at getting rid of all kinds of bugs. They scratch and peck through everything, from the garden to the compost pile, to find any little critter they can. We don't need to use any pesticides or chemicals on our plants anymore, thanks to our hardworking feathered friends.
Reason #2: Kitchen Scraps
Chickens are omnivores, and they love to eat all kinds of scraps from the kitchen. We give them everything from watermelon rinds to cucumber peels. They're also great at eating grass clippings, which means we don't need to bag them up and dispose of them.
Reason #3: Compost Turners
Not only do chickens love to eat from the compost pile, but they also love to turn it over for us. They scratch and peck through the piles, adding air and helping the materials break down faster. It's a win-win situation.
Reason #4: Fertilizer
Chickens produce a lot of manure, which can be an excellent source of fertilizer for our garden. We let the manure compost for a few months before using it, as fresh manure can burn plants. But once it's decomposed, it's a valuable resource for us.
Reason #5: Eggs
Of course, one of the biggest reasons people get chickens is for the eggs. Our flock produces around 250-300 eggs per year, which is more than enough for our family. Plus, we know that our eggs are organic and free-range, which makes them even more delicious.
We love having chickens as part of our family, and we hope this post has inspired you to consider getting some for yourself. They're not just cute and fun to watch - they're also incredibly useful and rewarding.
Below are some of the products we use to manage our pests at Daisy Creek Farms. If you want a direct link to the item on Amazon follow the link provided with the items name!