POULTRY
The many benefits of a few chooks
G
iven that specimens
of the hardier breeds
will look after
themselves with little more
than the odd scrap of stale
bread being tossed their way,
one would expect every
Gauteng smallholding to have
at least a few chickens
scrabbling about, if not being
properly housed in a chicken
run and kept for their eggs
and meat.
Yet our statistics show that
From page 21
nearly 40% of Gauteng
smallholders do not keep
poultry.
The advantages of keeping
chickens will be obvious –
fresh eggs, meat for the nonvegetarians, fertiliser and
walking pest control. Freerange eggs are a good source
of omega-3, an essential
mood-boosting fat, as well as
an excellent source of protein,
thus making them an integral
part of modern diets such as
the Banting Diet and Dr Tim
Noakes' diabetes-fighting lowcarb, high-fat diet.
But there is another reason to
keep chickens, and that is the
therapeutic value of having a
few “girls” wandering around
one's plot.
People suffering from
depression or loneliness have
discovered that having a small
EGGS
With any business, ongoing
Once collected, it's time to
assessment and evaluation is
package and sell. Consider
key. If things are not running
your business plan when
smoothly with your egg
thinking about how to package business, it may be time to
your eggs. A striking label with reassess - the markets, your
a graphic logo can make your
infrastructure such as the
product more attractive than
coop, pastures and fencing,
another local brand. Make sure and even whether continuing
you comply with the regulato sell eggs is the right choice
tions when designing the
for you.
packaging.
23
www.sasmallholder.co.za
flock of hens to care for has
given them a focus outside of
themselves. Having to get up
and go outside to feed their
chickens has had a disproportionately positive effect.
They are outside in the fresh
air and interacting with
uncomplicated, amusing
little creatures, each with a
Continued on page 24