Backyard Chickens Help Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Thanksgiving meal is over, and the question arises: how to handle the food scraps? Food waste significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the EPA, U.S. food waste annually generates emissions equivalent to 170 metric tons of CO2, comparable to 42 coal-fired power plants. Globally, food waste accounts for about 8% of human-caused emissions, making it a larger issue than the aviation sector, which is responsible for about 2.5% of emissions.
Chickens will eat just about anything.
There are several strategies to reduce household food waste. These include understanding “sell by” dates, embracing imperfect produce, organizing the refrigerator efficiently, and upcycling leftover turkey. Backyard composting is another effective solution, and for apartment dwellers, a worm bin is an option.
Another approach is raising backyard chickens. These birds are efficient at recycling food scraps, turning waste into food. While chickens provide fresh eggs and companionship, their ability to consume kitchen scraps makes them valuable for reducing waste.
“It is better to put food scraps in a chicken coop than in a landfill.”
Chickens are omnivores and will eat a variety of scraps, from vegetable peels to stale bread. A daily routine of collecting scraps in a pail and feeding them to chickens can significantly reduce waste. However, chickens should not be fed eggshells, chicken, or certain foods like citrus rinds and coffee grounds.
Eggs from the author’s flock.
Research by Maureen Breen highlights the environmental benefits of backyard chickens. Her study found that a chicken consumes about 1.6 pounds of food scraps weekly, translating to over 80 pounds annually. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions since chickens produce less pollution than decomposing waste. According to the EPA’s Food Recovery Hierarchy, feeding scraps to chickens is more beneficial than composting.
Some cities, like Austin, Texas, have implemented programs offering residents vouchers for chicken coops, reducing waste and disposal costs. Backyard chickens can thrive in urban environments, and many cities allow them. For regulations, visit Backyardchickens.com.
Embracing backyard chickens transforms waste into resources, exemplifying nature’s circular system. Food scraps become tomorrow’s meals, showcasing the potential of sustainable waste management.
Original Story at www.sierraclub.org