Raising Chickens for Eggs
Sticker shock. You’ve likely experienced this feeling if you’ve purchased a dozen eggs at the local supermarket in the last 6 months. Unfortunately, a combination of egg demand and the bird flu has driven the price of these tasty protein bullets sky-high.
This combination of chicken diseases and current pricing has led many households to raise chickens for eggs in the past 5 years. Whether you’re in town with a backyard or on a few acres of land, keeping a small flock of hens can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. From delicious eggs to environmental perks, there’s a lot more to chickens than just clucks and feathers.
Our Backyard Boost® team has started raising chickens. We agree that we love them for the eggs but also for several other reasons. They make great companions, provide entertainment, fertilize our soil and like to eat those pesky insects! Wonder who we are? Well, Backyard Boost is a line of products purposefully crafted to support the well-being of birds. We decided to share some of our top benefits of raising chickens for eggs.
Let’s dig into all the fantastic benefits of raising your own egg-laying chickens — and why it’s a lifestyle move you’ll be glad you made.
Better-Tasting, Fresh Eggs on Demand
There’s nothing quite like cracking an egg laid just hours ago in your backyard coop.
Backyard eggs often have richer, darker yolks and better flavor than store-bought ones — especially when your hens get a healthy, varied diet and some time to roam around. Not to mention, they’re often more nutritious. The benefits of farm fresh eggs are amazing!
Now, this is where we share that the eggs you buy in the store are perfectly nutritious and safe. Our nation’s food supply is one of the safest and most wholesome in the world. However, because birds in your backyard are exposed to fresh air, peck the dirt and ground and have a “pasture-raised” life vs. corporate layers, studies show that eggs from pasture-raised chickens can have:
- More omega-3 fatty acids
- Higher levels of vitamins A and E
- Less cholesterol and saturated fat
Fresh, tasty and better for you? That sounds like a win-win-win.
Natural Pest Control + Garden Helpers
Chickens are like little feathery gardeners. They love to eat bugs — ticks, beetles, flies, grasshoppers — you name it. That means fewer pests in your yard without having to spray chemicals.
They’ll also scratch around in the dirt, naturally aerating your soil. Their manure, once composted, is an incredible organic fertilizer. Have you ever bought fertilizer and looked (or smelled) the primary ingredient? Think about how much money you are saving on fertilizing your garden with your home-raised organic fertilizer! Your garden will thank you.
Family-Friendly, Hands-On Learning Experience
If you’ve got kids, chickens are an amazing way to teach them about responsibility, nature and where food actually comes from.
Daily chores like feeding and collecting eggs help kids develop good habits like work ethic and responsibility. A backyard flock is like any animal group, and they are dependent on humans for their care and survival. Watching the chicken life cycle up close is both fun and educational. Many families find that chicken-keeping becomes a bonding activity — plus, who doesn’t love naming their hens?
Save Money, Make Some Money
There’s some upfront investment with chickens. The coop, the fencing, fencing, bedding, feed and feeders and the chickens all cost more than a dozen eggs. However, over time, raising chickens for eggs can definitely help you save on groceries.
Organic and pasture-raised eggs can be pricey at the store. Your own hens? They’ll give you fresh eggs daily. And if your flock produces more than you need, you can sell or trade extras with neighbors. You probably wonder how many eggs does a chicken lay a day? They typically each lay one egg every 24 hours.
You’ll also save on things like fertilizer – thanks to chicken manure – and maybe even insect control supplies.
Low-Maintenance & Extremely Doable
So, you’ve never raised anything other than a goldfish? Don’t let the idea of a “farm animal” scare you. Chickens are surprisingly low maintenance.
They’re happy with a secure coop and a bit of routine care that consists of daily feed and water and occasional cleaning. You don’t need a big yard or a lot of experience — just some research and a little daily love.
At Backyard Boost, we have created a Chicken Care Cycle to help beginners just like you. Our Chicken Care Cycle is your one-stop resource for all things you need to know about raising backyard birds. There’s information about building or buying your coop, chicken nutrition, caring for your birds through the seasons and more!
Chickens Provide Companionship
Chickens have personalities, just like most living beings. Some are bossy, some are sweet, some are downright hilarious. They’ll follow you around, beg for treats and do silly things that’ll make you laugh every day. If you are so inclined, you can even purchase a harness to take your fluffy fowl on a walk.
Watching your flock scratch in the dirt or take a fluffy dust bath is weirdly soothing — like feathered therapy. And hey, you’ve already invested, so you may as well reap the benefits – eggs and therapy.
Boost Your Self-Sufficiency
Raising chickens gives you a sense of independence, a small but meaningful step toward growing your food and being less dependent on grocery stores. Raising and making your own food is more than trendy; sometimes, it is necessary.
During tough times, like supply chain issues or egg shortages, your flock keeps producing. That peace of mind? Pretty priceless. Remain cognizant of bird flu chicken symptoms and chicken predators. However, there is satisfaction in gathering your eggs each day, knowing you’ve raised those protein producers.
A Greener Way to Eat
Raising chickens is a win for the planet, too.
Backyard chickens help reduce waste and lower your carbon footprint. Think of them as your food recycle companions. Your chickens will happily gobble up kitchen scraps. Chickens love veggie peels, fruit bits, stale bread and other small morsels that we are not going to eat. Keeping food waste out of the landfill creates less trash, less guilt and healthier chickens.
Help Preserve Heritage Breeds
Many backyard chicken keepers choose heritage or rare chicken breeds that aren’t used in commercial egg production. By raising these beautiful, diverse birds, you’re helping to keep genetic biodiversity alive, which is crucial for long-term food security and resilient farming practices.
Plus, some of them lay stunning eggs in shades of blue, green or even chocolate brown. These colorful eggs are nutritious and delicious. They also make great conversation starters and will look wonderful on your social media when you start educating others about your new hobby.
Build Community & Connection
Speaking of conversation starters and social media, raising chickens often sparks curiosity and conversations. Soon, you’ll find yourself chatting with neighbors about coop designs, swapping eggs for veggies or joining local poultry groups.
There’s something very satisfying about being part of a local food movement — whether you’re sharing eggs, tips, or just photos of your fluffiest hen. If you have extra eggs one week they would make an egg-cellent gift to a friend or coworker.
So, Should You Start Raising Chickens for Eggs?
If you’ve got the space, time and interest, chickens might just be the perfect addition to your backyard. Those farm-fresh eggs are nutritious and delicious! Chickens are fun, functional, eco-friendly and endlessly entertaining. When’s the last time you said that about your sourdough starter?
Sure, backyard chickens need care and commitment, but the rewards are worth it! In return, you’ll get fresh eggs, reduced waste, closer family bonds and a stronger connection to your food
Before you flock to your closest chick day, you do need to check all local laws. Some municipalities do not allow chickens or any domestic fowl within the city limits. We’d be sad if you made a big investment, only to get egg in your face.
Backyard Boost Can Help!
We’d love for you to include Backyard Boost in your plan for raising chickens for eggs. We offer two supplements to help your chickens thrive, grow and produce eggs.
Backyard Boost® Defense
Promote water intake and good health by providing Backyard Boost® Defense. This liquid supplement promotes feed and water intake during times of stress and recovery to help support digestive health and a healthy inflammatory response. Add it to their water daily for best results.
Backyard Boost Defense is a liquid supplement for poultry designed to support digestion and a healthy immune response. Backyard Boost Defense contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and provide nutrients needed in times of stress. By adding this green liquid to their fresh water daily, you promote water intake and hydration.
Backyard Boost® Daily Essentials
Backyard Boost Daily Essentials is a pelleted, natural protein supplement for all classes of poultry. Not only is it rich with protein, but Daily Essentials is also fortified with the prebiotic Amaferm, vitamins, minerals and organic trace minerals. It also contains AO-Biotics® EQE, a postbiotic proven to enhance egg quality and production. Daily Essentials helps maximize growth and egg production and supports overall flock health.
Get your Backyard Boost Today!
We hope this resource has helped you discover the benefits of raising chickens for eggs. Not only are you getting a food source, you’re helping the environment, learning about animal care and getting some companionship and entertainment.
Ordering Backyard Boost is simple: purchase via our online store or from one of our online retail partners.
Perhaps you prefer to shop in person. Our Where to Buy tool can help you find an authorized BioZyme retailer closest to you.
Stay In the Know
New to raising chickens for eggs and looking for more educational resources? Use our Chicken Care Cycle as your guide to all things backyard chicken care.
Or, if email is more your speed, you can sign up for our regular e-newsletter. That will help you stay current on all our informational blogs, educational resources and great product deals!
