Cluck These Egg Prices: 5 Benefits Of Owning Your Own Backyard Chickens

It's officially gotten out of hand. We never thought we'd see the day that a carton of eggs would both break the bank and be extremely hard to find. But, alas. We are here. And the simple, low-cost carton of eggs that we once took for granted... is no more.

Do we continue the new, recent trend of scavenging our local grocery stores and drying out our wallets week after week? We simply can't. First of all, no one has the time for that. And second, egg prices reached historically high levels in 2022, and thus far in 2023, the absurd prices show no sign of slowing down anytime soon. With the cost of seemingly everything being vastly more expensive, most cannot afford to continue paying these record-breaking egg prices on a weekly basis.

Do we just stop eating eggs all together? Impossible. Eggs are not only one of the most common foods purchased and consumed, but they also play a crucial role in the creation of so many other dishes. Can you imagine a world without cookies? Cupcakes? Meatloaf? It's just, simply, a world we cannot live in.

Fortunately, just when it feels like all hope is lost... The plot 'chickens'.

For many, the idea of owning their own backyard chickens is a foreign concept. But with the current, major increase of the price of eggs, along with the rise of urban homesteading and a desire for more sustainable lifestyles, it’s actually becoming increasingly popular.

There are MANY benefits to owning your own chickens, from fresh eggs to natural pest control. Let’s cluck it up and explore why having your own backyard chickens might be the best decision you make this year!

Keep in mind - It's important to explore your local laws to ensure your area of residence allows the keeping of these feathered friends. According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, North Las Vegas requires that chickens be at least 60 feet from a dwelling place, and the City of Las Vegas requires at least 300 feet from a dwelling space. However, it does seem that if you can get written consent from neighbors or property owners who are within these set perimeters, a shorter distance could be acceptable. Before making any moves though, do your own research, and check with your HOA.

One of the most obvious reasons to keep your own backyard chickens is for the fresh eggs. Not only will you have eggs right at your fingertips, but these fresh eggs taste even better than store-bought eggs and provide a source of protein that you can control and trust.

In addition to providing fresh eggs, chickens are great at keeping pests away from your yard and, if you have one, your garden. They love to eat bugs like beetles, grasshoppers, slugs, and snails, so they can help keep these pests out of your plants and flowers.

Having your own chickens also means that you don’t have to buy fertilizer for your garden every summer. The chicken droppings provide great organic fertilizer for plants. All you have to do is collect the droppings (using gloves!) and mix them into the soil around your plants. This will help nourish them throughout the growing season without any additional cost or effort on your part!

Raising chickens is no easy feat, but it's a very rewarding one. Backyard chickens provide the perfect opportunity for families to teach valuable lessons to their kiddos. The responsibilities tied to raising chickens teach the value of hard work and dedication, especially when that hard work pays off whilst enjoying a nice, fresh omelet in the morning.

If you've not spent much time around chickens, this one might come as a shock to you. Chickens are a joy to be around, and each of them have their own individual personalities. Having backyard chickens means that you always have someone (or something) to talk to in your backyard! Chickens are social creatures, so they will enjoy spending time with you as much as you enjoy spending time with them. Whether it’s just sitting outside chatting or playing catch with some corn kernels (they love this), keeping backyard chickens will give you an opportunity to connect with nature in a unique way.

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