Benefits of raising and eating Organic Chickens and Eggs

According to a consumer report study in 2006, one of the most important products to buy organic is chicken as it does not contain the toxic hormones, pesticides and antibiotics that birds raised commercially contains. As indicated in the report, risk of developing cancer is increased with even low level artificial hormones and most times these commercial chickens may be contaminated with toxic heavy metals. It is understandable that going for organic products may increase your grocery bills however, the benefits for your health are worth the extra cost, as such, chicken is one of the ideal foods to ensure you buy organic. More so, according to a study conducted in November 2010 titled “ Foodborne Pathogens and Disease" “If you are resolved to eat a diet that is considered healthy, think about the health benefits of organic chicken and include it to your shopping lists”

Be aware that the best birds to buy are pastured raised organically fed chickens that are free to peck on grass, worms, bugs etc as their meat will be more tasteful and leaner ( less fat). Pastured raised chicken meat contains a healthier composition that is more in vitamins, minerals and omega3 fatty acids than its conventional counterpart. Chickens raised in pastures do also produce naturally healthy rich eggs which are unmatched with those eggs sold at the grocery stores.

In most cases, we think that we are buying eggs from chickens that are roaming freely, having access to the outdoors and are not confined to cages, however, this is very far from the reality and true position of things. It should be noted that chickens do have basic behavioral needs that include having enough space to stretch and flap their wings, being able to forage and dust-bathe plus having a secluded nesting place where they can comfortably lay their eggs. More so, instinctively, chickens form small social groups in which there is a pecking order but in cage farms due to overcrowding condition these behavioral patterns break down and birds usually attack each other as such, some packs of bully birds can form and start terrorizing weaker ones.

Often times, producers trim the hens beaks to prevent them from harming or killing the weaker birds, a practice which is allowed under the Egg Corp Assured scheme and by the RSPCA but prohibited by the Australian Certified organic Standards. Little wonder that increased number of the public are saying no to eggs from caged commercially raised chickens.
Furthermore, when these basic requirements are absent, chickens tend to get stressed and eating eggs or meat from stressed animals (same applies to meat from caged cows) contains traces of stress hormones which can be passed to humans overtime! More so, it’s difficult picturing what a caged egg facility with so many chickens looks and smells like having so many caged jam packed with stressed out hens. This situation really does not go well with a conscious consumer with a conscience.

The best option is to raise your own chickens if you have the space and time. Starting with a few chickens can benefit your family and garden a lot. Do not see it as too old fashioned. There are a lot of benefits raising your own chickens both health and wealth wise that many do not even consider.

Below, we shall see some benefits of raising your own birds and eating organic chickens.

Some benefits of raising chickens in your backyard

1. You get organic healthy eggs for free
2. You get organic fertilizers nutrient rich for your small gardens for free
3. They can be free labor by helping to work the soil
4. Free weed and pest control as Chickens will happily take care of crickets, grass hoppers, snails and other pests in the garden.
5. Free entertainment
6. Help eliminate food waste
7. Chickens are great for kids
8. They are friendly, easy to manage, low maintenance and can be kept as house pets as well.
9. Chickens are a great food source. Etc

For those who do not have time and space to raise chickens in their backyard, there are also a lot of benefits from buying organic chickens, as outlined below-;

1. Organic chickens have better Flavor
   One of the many benefits of organic chicken is the rich flavor as confirmed by the American Culinary Federation. Chickens that are produced commercially are tenderer, with more complex flavors, as such; diners prefer the taste of organic chickens than commercially produced ones.
2. Lesser fat-
   The meat from farm-raised chicken has considerably less fat (and fewer calories) than those raised commercially & bought in grocery stores. The American Culinary Federation also recommends adding some little fat to the cooking pot when preparing organically grown chicken. Chicken are a healthier protein source since the meats are leaner and a practical choice for everyday cooking as it doesn’t take time to prepare.
3. Lesser Toxins
   Everybody craves to eat healthy foods void of poisons, but it is vital to notify us that commercially raised poultry usually contains heavy metals, hormones, antibiotics and trace amounts of pesticides all of which can be hazardous to our health overtime. According to “Consumer reports” antibiotics that is used for commercially raised poultry can be a factor causing germ resistance in some humans, also small amount of hormones can have big side effects relating to increase in cancer and early onset of puberty to some people. Some commercial farmers do even inject growth hormones which get stored in the chickens causing serious health issues to humans.

Conclusion: We all know that times are hard, as such, buying commercially grown chickens can be cheaper and ensures faster availability of food, however such practice comes with a cost to our health and subsequently our wealth ( Health is Wealth). In this article, I have outlined some benefits of growing your own organic chicken in your backyard with its advantages and also benefits of buying and consuming organic chickens as to commercially raised chickens that can be hazardous to our health. it is now pertinent for us to make the right choices considering the preponderance of health issues in recent times due to unhealthy food sources.

Feel free to add your own benefits in the comment section while urging us to resteem this to help educate others. Do support with your upvote which will be appreciated and well noted and follow for more…

Read & support my former blog posts below-;
Papaya (Paw Paw) Seeds and its surprising health benefits ( A must read)!
https://steemit.com/health/@kenhudoy/papaya-paw-paw-seeds-and-its-surprising-health-benefits-a-must-read

Sources: Web links-
http://www.ourfathersfarm.com/benefits-of-organic-chicken.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/66416-benefits-organic-chicken/
http://lauratrotta.com/7-benefits-of-keeping-backyard-chickens/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-raise-chickens-in-your-backyard-the-many-reasons-benefits.47715/
Image sources: Google