9 Ways Chickens Are Useful on the Homestead (Other Than Meat & Eggs)

When you think about chickens on the homestead, what image do you see? Baskets full of large, colorful fresh eggs, a freezer full of meat, maybe baby chicks running around? Did you know, though, that they offer so much more than food and cute fluffballs? These birds are versatile, hardworking homestead helpers that provide multiple additional benefits. Here are 7 ways chickens earn their keep beyond meat and eggs.

9 Ways Chickens Are Useful on the Homestead

1. Natural Pest Control

Chickens are omnivores. They eat veggies, fruits, herbs, and grains, but they also love to munch on bugs. If you let the birds forage on your property, they will reduce the number of ticks, mosquitoes, flies, small snakes, and other pesky critters.

2. Turning Garden Soil

After your growing season has ended, turn the chickens loose in the garden area. They will help turn everything over before winter hits. You can turn them out into the garden again before you plant in the Spring to let the soil breathe. They will scratch and dig around in the dirt, eat insect and their eggs, break up soil, pull up weeds, and aerate the beds.

Let them free range through the garden or move them in chicken tractors over a new space each day. Just be sure to keep them out of the garden after planting or they will tear up all of your hard work.

3. Compost Mixing

Backyard chickens can turn your compost pile just like they turn the garden soil. Let them out around the pile and watch them go to work. The birds will aerate the pile and add fertilizer at the same time.

4. Free Fertilizer

Do you want to improve your soil quality with good compost? If you have chickens, there is no reason to purchase it. Chicken manure contains high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium which are essential for plant growth. Fresh manure is too “hot” (contains too much nitrogen) to add directly to the garden, though so you need to pile it up and let it compost for least 6 months before applying it.

5. Provides Natural Weed Control

Chickens are great for decreasing weeds in the yard as well. They will forage and snack on the greens, weeds, and flowers to keep them from going to seed.

6. Teaches Responsibility & Animal Husbandry

Chickens are the perfect animal for children to start out with. Kids learn animal husbandry, biology, and responsiblity from raising these birds. They will also have tons of fun watching the chickens interact with each other, chase bugs, and dust bathe.

7. Feather + Craft Supply

Chicken feathers can be used for fly-tying, farmhouse decor, and other crafts. Since chickens molt each year, you can simply pick feathers up off the ground for your projects.

8. Reduce Food Waste

Chickens love kitchen scraps! You may already be putting your scraps in the compost bin, but chickens can turn those scraps into an even more nutrient-rich compost. Make the most of your leftovers by tossing them out to the birds, and then collecting the manure for composting and fertilizer.

9. Create an Income Stream

Your chickens can also generate income for your homestead. Hatch and sell chicks, hatching eggs, eating eggs, started pullets, or feathers for crafting.

Chickens bring so much more to the table than delicious eggs & meat! With proper management, these birds can become a fully integrated part of the homestead. Do you use your chickens to reduce pests, produce fertilizer, or improve the soil?