r/BackYardChickens • u/kittea-cat • 27d ago
Hi all, I’ve been interested in homesteading for a while and have come up with this question. I would like to raise a few chickens for eggs, but don’t want to kill animals. I read that chickens only produce eggs for 4 years, and then live potentially for another 5. At this point it seems most people eat them. Is it possible/ even reasonable financially to keep them alive for the remainder of their natural lives? As for money, as long as I’m not actively losing money by having the chickens (vs the cost of buying ethical eggs at the supermarket) I would be happy. Maybe it’s idealistic, but thanks for your time!
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u/izzabee2 26d ago
I would not look at this as such a zero-sum like this. Yes, chickens cost money but there is a lot of simple joy in seeing them enjoy the life you give them. We love sitting out in our yard watching the chickens we have dig around in the yard for bugs while our daughter picks tomatoes right off the vine to give them as treats. Little pleasures, you know?