4 Reasons You Should Raise Chickens (According to a Someone Who’s Never Done It)
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That’s right. I’ve never raised chickens.Not one single chicken.
No coop, no eggs, not even a pet hen named Henrietta. I’ve never wrestled with a waterer, or Googled “why is my hen yelling at 6 a.m.?” But I do own a feed store, which means I spend most of my time talking to people who raise chickens, buy chicken things, and look suspiciously proud of their flocks. Some of them show me photos. (Yes, there are chicken photo albums.) Some name their hens after celebrities. A few refer to themselves as “chicken moms” with zero irony.
And let me tell you—I’m convinced. Everyone needs chickens. Here’s why.
They’re Basically Gardeners with Feathers
Chickens love bugs. They also love digging. Which means your garden soil gets aerated, the creepy crawlies get eaten, and their poop? It’s like organic fertilizer with attitude. They scratch, peck, and till the earth like tiny, determined tractors. Need help with a weedy patch in the yard? Toss a few chickens at it. Want fewer ticks and mosquitos in your life? Chickens. Want a healthier garden without a compost bin that smells like regret? Chickens.
Backyard Eggs Hit Different
Store-bought eggs are fine... until you crack open a backyard egg and realize you’ve been living a lie. The yolks are richer. The taste is fresher. And the smug feeling of collecting your own breakfast? Unmatched. It’s the only time you can walk outside in slippers, hold a warm egg in your hand, and think, yeah, I did something right today. You’ll start judging café brunch eggs. And we won’t blame you.
They're Weird. In a Good Way.
Chickens have serious personality. Some are shy. Some are drama queens. Some will stare directly into your soul while standing in their water dish. They follow you around, peck at your shoes, and occasionally stage full-blown feathered mutinies if you’re late with treats. They’re fun, quirky, and honestly more entertaining than half the stuff on Netflix. If you’ve never watched a chicken sprint across the yard like it's training for a poultry Olympics, you’re missing out.
Instant Life Lessons for the Whole Family
Want your kids to learn responsibility without raising a house-destroying puppy? Chickens. They teach care, empathy, and where eggs actually come from (spoiler: not the grocery aisle). Kids feed them, clean their coop, and—whether they admit it or not—bond with them.
And unlike goldfish, chickens actually have personalities and opinions about things. Plus, they get your kids outside. Screens down, feeders up. So no, I haven’t raised chickens yet. But I’ve seen the joy, the stories, and the backyard adventures that come with them. And based on everything I’ve learned, I can confidently say: you probably should.
And when you’re ready, come visit us. We’ve got feed, supplies, bedding, starter kits, coop advice, and a soft spot for first-time flock owners. We’ll help you figure it all out—chicken experience optional. But a mild obsession with your new feathered friends? Pretty much guaranteed.
