Choosing Chickens

Folks are flocking to chickens as their new “pandemic project.” What’s to love about backyard birds? And what’s not so great? Let’s take a look.

Hen-efits!

First, let’s look at the good stuff. As with any pet, there are many positives to keeping chickens.

Incredible Eggs. First and foremost are the eggs. They’re fresher and tastier than store-bought eggs, with perky, deep-yellow yolks. You might get a few double-yolked eggs as an added bonus. (Learn more about egg production on Page 36.)

Engaging Education. Next, chickens provide you and your children with important life lessons with a hands-on approach. Caring for an animal helps children develop empathy and responsibility. You can ask your children to keep a coop diary. Through having chickens, your children will also learn about the life cycle,