Friends with Benefits!
The backyard chickens are those friends that could be in your backyard. Even in most urban areas backyards poultry are legal pets. Pets with rewards.
As we know history repeats itself. Maybe not exactly the same each time. But, for sure has great similarities. How do chickens fit into this historical repetition?
Economic downturns, depression or recessions stimulate many folks to be chicken owners. The increase of poultry owned by more people occurs each time the world or country takes a turn for the worse. Folks like a feeling of have more food security when in the midst of trying times.
This is most folks keeping laying chickens. Layers are another type of pet. They are very docile and easy to keep. They like being petted and fondled. Laying chickens are also good your for stress relief, providing comedy and overall metal stability. Meanwhile they will provide you food. If laying hens are properly maintained they should lay around 75% average production. That is 3 eggs from 4 hens on an average day. Another benefit you may not have thought about are immune system support. Clinical studies have show that the immunoglobulins deposited in the eggs benefit the eaters!
IgY antibodies in human nutrition for disease prevention
“IgY antibodies offers the possibility for reducing antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections of the digestive system”
More on why eat eggs? WebMD has a great article supporting why eating eggs is good for us.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/good-eggs-for-nutrition-theyre-hard-to-beat#1
“The egg is a powerhouse of disease fighting nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older adults. And brain development and memory may be enhanced by the choline content of eggs”
Nutritional information for eggs from the American Egg Board
Full of beneficial nutrients.
Patricia Foremen is a good friend of mine, and she likes to say “Hens are friends with benefits”.
Keeping hens in the backyard is fun and rewarding. You get pets, friends and food. What other small easy to keep animals can you get all of this from?
