PETS
PET ZONE Visit your local Agrimark Pet Zone for food , bedding , toys , accessories and treats .
WHY CHICKENS RULE THE ROOST IN YOUR BACKYARD
It ’ s not expensive or difficult to keep chickens , and more and more South Africans are discovering the benefits of a small backyard poultry farm .
FRESH AND HEALTHY EGGS AND POULTRY
The most obvious reason to keep chickens is to have a daily supply of fresh eggs – eggs that will taste much better and be more nutritious , with more vitamins and minerals , than any you can find in the store . A laying hen will produce an egg every day from six months onwards ( a bit less as they get older ). In other words , six laying hens will provide you with six eggs every day – fresher than anything you can buy .
When hens retire , they can be processed and eaten – unless , of
course , you ’ ve grown attached to them . However , if you have a sizable brood that includes one or more broody hens , the idea of a monthly backyard barbecue chicken might sound appealing . Freerange backyard chickens have more nutritional value and contain less fat and calories than those sold in stores . Moreover , they taste much better .
GREAT GARDEN WORKERS
Chickens can be a tremendous help in your garden . Firstly , they are rich in nitrogen , which is ideal for making compost from your garden and kitchen waste . Secondly , they easily eliminate garden pests , insects , and slugs without the need for chemicals . Your chickens will also be very useful in your organic
56 MARKtoe ! November 2023