The Egg Prices Are Rising: Should You Consider Keeping Chickens?

The cost of eggs has been increasing due to a rise in feed prices and the avian bird flu, leading to poultry farms being forced to kill off entire flocks. As a result, it may be worth considering keeping your own chickens to secure your own food supply. However, before taking the leap, there are a few factors to consider.

For those who are thinking of keeping chickens for eggs, there are many concerns, such as the initial cost of investment, infrastructure requirements, health concerns, noise, and difficulty in keeping chickens. Some of these are true, while others are myths. Here, we will cover everything one needs to know about the reasons not to keep chickens and the benefits of having them.

The first reason not to keep chickens is maintenance. Although chickens are not as high-maintenance as other pets, they require feeding every day, clean water, and bedding. If you do not have enough time for these tasks, chickens may not be right for you. Furthermore, if you are going on vacation, you must ensure that a friend or relative can take care of your chickens at least once a day.

The second reason is the cost of initial investment. Buying a chicken coop, proper fencing, and other infrastructure can require some upfront investment. However, these costs pay off in the long term. The fencing and coop can last over 10 years.

Another reason people do not keep chickens is due to the misconception that chickens are very noisy. However, chickens are not as loud as roosters, which many cities prohibit. Thus, you can only keep hens.

Chickens require space to roam around, so if you do not have enough space, maybe keeping chickens is not right for you. For instance, you need at least 20 by 20 feet area for four chickens.

Predation is another reason not to keep chickens. If you live in an area with many predators like coyotes or hawks, attracting them near your home may not be wise. You can build secure fences, coops, or runs, but these predators have a way of breaking in.

Chickens can also destroy gardens. They tend to eat vegetable plants, scratch around the soil, and uproot plants. So, you must keep an eye on them or provide a safe area with fencing.

Finally, the cost of feed is rising, and chicken diseases can be a concern. The price of feed has almost doubled in the past year. But if you provide them with kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and wood chips, they can scratch and find bugs to supplement their diet. Regarding diseases, just wash your hands after touching or handling chickens, and do not eat raw eggs.

Despite these reasons, having chickens has many benefits. Chickens are excellent at getting rid of bugs and pests. They create fertilizer, and their manure is high in nitrogen. Chickens can also turn compost piles, thus eliminating the need to turn them every three to four days. Chickens are also a reliable source of food in emergencies.

The eggs from chickens taste better and richer than any store-bought eggs. Chickens are also easier to keep than dogs or cats. They make excellent pets and can be friendly if raised from babies.

In summary, the benefits of keeping chickens outweigh the costs and expenses associated with them. They are an excellent investment and can secure your food supply. If you are interested in keeping chickens, make sure you have enough time and space for them. They can bring you many benefits that go beyond eggs.