Why Keeping Chickens is an Eggcellent Choice for you Family

Whether for fresh eggs, educational benefits, or the joy of a new feathered friend, keeping chickens in your garden can be a rewarding and fun experience for the whole family!

Why Keeping Chickens is an Egg-cellent Choice for Your Family

Pets bring joy and companionship to family life, and in recent years, more people are embracing these wonderful animals. Poultry keeping is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why. Chickens make wonderful pets, and who wouldn’t want fresh eggs every day?

Here are some reasons why welcoming chickens into your garden could be a fantastic decision:

Fresh Eggs Daily

The biggest perk of keeping chickens is, of course, the fresh eggs! Eggs are an important part of a healthy diet, supporting muscle growth, brain health, energy production, and a strong immune system. They also make for quick, easy meals, perfect for anyone interested in cooking or trying out new recipes. Plus, eggs are a key ingredient in most of our favorite cakes!

Teaching Responsibility and Empathy

Having chickens at home can be a valuable learning experience for children, teaching them responsibility and empathy. Younger kids can help by filling feed bowls, collecting eggs, and checking the water. Older children can get more involved with tasks like cleaning the hen house and ensuring the chickens are safely tucked in at night.

Handling chickens teaches kids how to understand body language and encourages emotional discussions. While chickens can’t speak, their behavior clearly communicates what they need, helping children to develop a sense of empathy.

Educational Opportunities

Keeping chickens offers more than just practical lessons; it also opens the door for academic learning. Children can practice math by counting eggs or figuring out how long their feed will last. They’ll also get creative naming their chickens, which can help with spelling and literacy.

Chickens also provide a perfect opportunity to discuss where our food comes from, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. 

You can cover how to keep chickens healthy while also emphasising the importance of maintaining hygiene in their coops and runs—this is crucial for both the chickens and their owners. You could look at the importance of cleaning, sanitising, and preventive measures to protect against diseases like avian flu, so including these topics would add real value.

Teaching your family how to keep both themselves and their chickens safe from potential risks - whether it’s predators, diseases, or proper poultry handling - would be an invaluable lesson.

Boosting Mental Health

Studies show that spending time with pets can reduce stress and boost mood by releasing oxytocin, the “feel-good” hormone. With time, chickens can become quite friendly, and many will even come running when they hear their names or know you’ve got treats!

Many families with chickens find that their poultry become beloved companions, with kids often sharing stories of their day while cuddling their favorite hen

Whether for fresh eggs, educational benefits, or the joy of a new feathered friend, keeping chickens in your garden can be a rewarding and fun experience for the whole family!