Many of us are familiar with pets such as dogs, cats and rodents, but have you ever thought about chickens? You don’t have to live on a farm to enjoy the benefits of these animals, and there are many; from fresh eggs to weed control and providing a good source of fertilizer. Chickens are surprisingly good pets, and they can be affectionate and playful on top of their many practical benefits. If you’ve been thinking about getting a pet and fancy something more unusual, or if the idea of fresh eggs is appealing, then read on to learn more about some of the many benefits of keeping chickens.

Fresh eggs

Eggs are packed full of vitamins, omega 3 and beta carotene, and fresh eggs even contain less saturated fat than their mass produced counterparts. Keeping chickens ensures you know exactly where your eggs are coming from, and you can be sure that your eggs are sourced from healthy, happy hens. You can expect roughly one egg per hen per day; and while some breeds lay less frequently, you can still expect around three to four eggs per week .

Excellent fertilizer

Chicken manure contains high levels of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus, which are the prime ingredients in lawn and garden fertilizers. Add chicken manure to your compost heap if you have one (if not, it’s definitely worth starting one), and enjoy an all natural, affordable fertilizer for your plants, trees and shrubs.

Pest control

Chickens help to control garden pests like flies, mosquitos and slugs, without the need to use artificial pesticides or chemicals. They will also eat many different types of weeds, ensuring your garden stays neat and tidy and your chickens are well fed!

Good family pets

You might think that chickens won’t be as affectionate or rewarding as other animals like cats or dogs, but chickens can be loving towards humans, as well as having their own individual personalities. Chickens often form a strong bond with their owners, and can rush out for food, jump on a lap for a cuddle or follow you around just like a dog would.

Reduced waste

Chickens will happily eat many food items that would usually be thrown away or added to compost, such as food scraps, vegetable peelings, nuts and seeds. This can be particularly useful if you don’t have room for a compost heap, or you can enjoy the best of both and give your chickens a balanced diet and save any uneaten scraps for garden fertilizer.

If you don’t have the space or time to keep chickens but still want the freshest high quality eggs, get in touch with Freshways. We supply organic and free range wholesale eggs for businesses across the UK, as well as liquid eggs and eggs that are already hard boiled. With over 30 years experience, we’re confident that our products are of the best possible quality, so to find out more or place an order, give us a call or visit the website today.