Did you know that chickens, guineas and ducks not only give us delicious eggs, but also produce fertilizer gold, maintain insect control and provide limitless entertainment. Who wouldn’t want them on their property?
On average chickens can produce between 200 to 300 eggs per year per chicken, depending on breed, feed and climate. That is a lot of eggs! Yum. It is important when choosing a breed of chicken to think about your climate, how many eggs you hope for in a season, color of eggs and size. Each breed has slightly different characteristics that need to be noted before moving forward. But, in our opinion, all farm fresh eggs taste second to none!
Chickens and ducks are excellent natural composers. Their natural tendency to scratch tills up the soil or compost turning it as they go. Speaking of compost, their waste is high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc. After allowing their waste to compost for 6 months, you have an excellent fertilizer for your gardens.
Chickens, duck, guineas and geese are foragers, not only for grasses but for bugs. They search for those nuggets of protein relentlessly. Consequently, we have not had an insect problem in our small orchard, nor our pastures, with them around. With all this activity and their individual personalities coming out coupled with their curiosity that takes them all sorts of directions, they are a delight to watch.
