Self-Sustaining Sustenance: New Article On Off The Grid News Discusses Raising Chickens For Eggs and Meat

Thomson, IL (PRWEB) May 15, 2013

As Americans grow more and more concerned about the quality of the foods they purchase from the supermarket, many have taken steps to provide their families with fresh, healthy alternatives. In addition to growing their own produce in their gardens, some have taken up raising chickens to provide both eggs and meat. A new article featured on Off The Grid News, Top 5 Chickens For Producing Meat, details the best chickens for home farming.

The author advocates raising chickens because, They are small and take up less space than most meat animals, they produce both meat and eggs, they are easy to feed and require very little in the way of housing, and best of all, they usually breed and reproduce easily and without intervention. As such low-maintenance animals, it is easy to see why so many, even in urban areas, are looking into raising chickens (http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/24607).

One thing that prospective backyard chicken farmers need to consider when choosing chicks is whether the primary goal is meat or eggs. Many breeds that produce large quantities of eggs are small and produce little meat, especially when compared to cuts from the supermarket, which typically come from hybrids bred for large quantities of meat. Top 5 Chickens For Producing Meat describes five breeds which produce an optimal balance of meat and eggs, including White Rocks and Wyandottes. The author comments, Not only are the dual-purpose breeds a smart choice for homesteaders since they will reproduce easily and true to type, they actually save more money in the long run. It is true that it may take two birds to equal the same meat produced by a single hybrid, but the quality of that meat will be just as good, perhaps even better, and it wont cost as much to raise the standard chickens.

Make sure to check city ordinances regarding livestock as many towns require permits and specific guidelines for raising chickens within city limits (http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/24607). However, even with these guidelines, raising chickens can be incredibly rewarding, especially for people in rural areas where these regulations do not apply. In addition to providing eggs and meat, raising chickens can teach children valuable lessons about where food comes from, creating a closer tie to nature and fostering independence.

Off The Grid News is an independent organization devoted to providing practical information about living today and in light of the future. The news team looks for the truth beneath the facts of the top news stories and how they will affect your life.