From NBC News: <a href= "https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna921241">Salmonella in raw chicken makes 92 people sick, CDC says.</a> Say what you will about the CDC, I'm right with you, and about NBC News. But antibiotic resistant salmonella sounds like a great reason to start raising your own chicken and eggs. Or to find a local source if you don't want to raise your own.

Folks, it's high time to be connecting to our food sources. That's the gist of what I'm gonna say here. These headlines are more assurance that we're headed the right direction on our little aspiring homestead in Texas. I wanna give y'all a bit of motivation or direction if you're looking for a place to start. 

<h1>START WITH CHICKENS.</h1>

I'm telling you as a guy that's never had livestock before, that these things are awesome. You'd be stunned at how simple they are, and how utilitarian. I know I am. On top of providing a nutrient dense food source, they make compost via feathers and poop, as well as killing pests around your home. Even if you don't have a garden, they'll make your lawn awesome while killing caterpillars, cockroaches, flies, even termites! Turning potentially devistating termites into the best eggs you've ever eaten? Sounds like a fair deal to me!

<h4>You can make a bare bones chicken setup for around $65 (after tax) with <a href= "https://m.lowes.com/pd/Severe-Weather-Common-1-in-X-2-in-x-8-ft-Actual-0-625-in-x-1-375-in-x-8-ft-1-Treated-Lumber/50441838">1x2s</a> and <a href= "https://m.lowes.com/pd/Garden-Zone-Actual-50-ft-x-4-ft-Steel-Chicken-Wire-Rolled-Poultry-Netting/1000431499">chicken wire</a> with a tarp roof. The chicks (the part that provides the value) are the cheapest part, usually coming in under $5 a pop! Their hardware and feed are minimal costs that you'll barely notice in your monthly budget too. Total cost with the bare bones shelter, chicks, and supplies, you're looking under $150. </h4>

A 4x8 foot chicken enclosure will accommodate three birds max, which would produce 2-3 eggs a day. This model is scalable too, so if you wanted to produce and distribute a surplus in your community, it could be cheaply and easily done for profit or just enough to offset your costs.

![IMG_20181010_184337963.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPtJUTNny1YA28gD6y3e4cZiD6EcVirGdatH2HRsaAwcd/IMG_20181010_184337963.jpg)

<h2><em>Why? What benefit does it provide? Store bought eggs and chicken are cheap!</em></h2>

Here's some valuable information if you're on the fence about chickens:

>The bottom line is that farm fresh eggs taste better, and hold more nutritional value than store bought eggs. If you don’t believe me, then test it out for yourself. Trust me, once you have seen and tasted the difference, there’s no going back. Go support your local community and take the time to buy some farm fresh eggs because fresh will always taste better. 
<a href= "https://hcsummers.com/blog/27788/difference-between-store-bought-eggs-and-fresh-farm-eggs">Difference Between Store Bought Eggs and Fresh Farm Eggs</a>

>I’ve led up to this in my previous points, but we are what we eat, and our birds are what they eat. A huge difference between free range and store-bought eggs is the quality of the nutrients in the eggs because of the quality of the nutrients going into the chickens.
<a href= "https://morningchores.com/fresh-eggs-vs-store-bought/">9 Huge Differences Between Free Range and Store Bought Eggs</a>

>• 1⁄3 less cholesterol
• 1⁄4 less saturated fat
• 2⁄3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene
<a href= "https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/eggs-zl0z0703zswa">Mother Earth News, Chicken and Egg Page</a>

That last one is a doozy and has TONS more information in it. Well worth your time! With those links, you'll have more data information than I did when I impulsively made the decision to optimistically start raising chickens. I lucked out by winging it. ...see what I did there? ;)

All this is not even mentioning the <em>satisfaction</em> of raising and nurturing these animals. It really is therapeutic. A proverbial break from the rat race. My family and I love our birds, and we all agree (even Melissa, my apprehensive wife) that they're increasing our quality of life, even while they're too young yet to produce.

![IMG_20180913_192158170.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdsdokBYYwXZJfcWJSigTNm7oUj6g4c6YYdWMrNeuuWf7/IMG_20180913_192158170.jpg)

Essentially, raising your own laying chickens is better for your nutritional and mental health. If you're sacrificing your health, what benefit can you really be getting from anything?

I hope that maybe this information can reach someone out there that's wondering if they want chickens. They're ultra easy to care for, very fulfilling, and provide a viable, sustainable, nutritious food source for you and your family. What more could you really ask for? 

If you know someone looking, go ahead and share this information with them! I think it's really valuable information. 

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Stay relevant

Nate

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