The Backyard Chickens That Raised Us
- Tammy Johnson
- 16 hours ago
- 5 min read
Written and edited by Tammy 17th April 2026
The air’s cooling off, the sky that soft lavender-pink we only seem to notice when we slow down.
My two-year-old granddaughter grips the torch like it’s a sacred treasure.
My five-year-old grandson walks beside her, whispering about “monsters” in the dark.
They’re on an important mission.
They’re heading down to pen up the chickens!
Behind them, lolloping through the long grass, are the only real “monsters” in sight… the cat and the dog, happily tagging along like part of the security patrol.
And as I watch those two little shadows wobble their way toward the chook pen, my heart just melts, because I’ve seen this before.
Their mother did the very same thing at that age. Torch in hand. Bare feet in gum boots. Big imagination. Important job to do.
Some traditions aren’t loud.
They don’t come with certificates or trophies.
But they shape us.
And backyard chickens are one of those quiet rites of passage.
Backyard Chickens — More Than Just Eggs
Let’s be honest… eggs aren't cheap right now.
Walking out to the pen and collecting warm, freshly laid eggs from your own backyard chickens feels almost rebellious in the best way.
They're free, organic and reliable.
But chickens give us far more than eggs.
They give us:
Responsibility
Routine
Connection to food
A reason to step outside daily
A front-row seat to nature doing its thing
For children especially, caring for animals teaches real, everyday life skills. Feeding. Refilling water. Checking fences. Observing behaviour.
(It still makes me smile that it even taught my three girls about “the birds and the bees”…
yes, we had a rooster — I’ll leave that one right there.)
It’s not theory, it’s lived learning. And that sort of learning sticks.
Nature’s Pest Patrol (No Chemicals Required)
This is where chickens quietly shine. They fit beautifully into a balanced, chemical-free garden. While they scratch and forage, they’re doing some serious garden work:
Reducing pests naturally
Interrupting pest life cycles
Decreasing our reliance on pesticides
Improving soil health
Providing food security
Every time we reach for chemical sprays, we’re not just targeting “the bad bugs”, we risk harming the beneficial ones too, and that ripple doesn’t stop there.
Our blue-tongue lizards, birds, frogs, and soil life can all be affected. Even low-level exposure builds up over time.
Chickens aren’t just livestock, they’re part of the ecosystem.
When we lean into natural systems instead, whether that’s welcoming a resident blue-tongue or keeping a handful of chickens, we create gardens that are healthier for everyone…
Plants, wildlife, pets, and people.
Free High-Nitrogen Gold
If you're a gardener, you already know this one, chicken manure is powerful stuff.
Imagine knowing you’re making your very own ‘Who Flung Dung’! Who would’ve thought.
It's high in nitrogen, brilliant for composting (once aged correctly), and an incredible soil booster.
It closes the loop beautifully:
Kitchen scraps → chickens → manure → compost → soil → food → back to the table.
That’s sustainability in action.
And our kids get to see it happening in real time.
Teaching the Next Generation
There’s something deeply grounding about children growing up knowing where their food comes from, collecting eggs, watching hens dust bathe, learning that animals need care every single day, not just when we feel like it.
It builds empathy, it builds work ethic and it builds respect for life.
And maybe most importantly…
It creates memory.
One day, my grandchildren will likely tell their own little ones about walking to the coop at dusk with “monsters” in the grass behind them.
And the story will carry on.
That’s legacy.
For the Love of Chickens
For me, it’s about so much more than just the eggs. It’s about those precious moments under dusk torchlight, small boots padding through the grass, and the thrill of imaginary monsters lurking just beyond the coop. It’s the cat and dog faithfully joining the nightly patrol, and the comfort of walking the same well-worn path that’s been shared across three generations.
In a world that moves so quickly, backyard chickens have a way of slowing us down in the very best sense. They gently tether us back to the land, teaching us patience without ever needing to say a word. They nourish us, care for our gardens in their own clever way, and quietly help protect the little patch we call ours.
It’s funny, isn’t it… how something so simple can end up meaning so very much.
Happy gardening😘💚
Want a little more support in your garden?
If this kind of garden life speaks to you, natural systems, chemical-free pest control, healthier soil, food security, and raising the next generation with muddy hands and practical know-how, you’ll feel right at home inside The Backyard.
In-depth seasonal guides.
Weekly “what to do in the garden this week” newsletter.
And the ability to chat one-on-one with me for plant, pest, disease or disorder troubleshooting, just like having me standing in your own yard.
It’s a small, warm community built around real gardens and real life.
You’re always welcome to join our little patch. 🪴💚
A peek at what you’ll find inside....The Backyard
My 26 page guide to becoming a 'Plant Doctor'. Learn to identify and deal with all the common pests, diseases and disorders.
A 20 page detailed look at what hydrophobic soil is, how to fix it and prevent it ever happening again.
A lovely little 16 page guide to water saving practices and plant recommendations for a drying climate.
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