ANNOUNCING A BYC MEMBER PROJECT!!!!! JOIN IN!!!

Hi . Nifty-chicken would like to make a one-page PRINTABLE informational paper. This will be something any member can print off and give to someone who would like the information about THE IMPORTANCE OF CHICKENS, as pets, egg layers. There are many people in the public who think of chickens as "worthless", or even refuse a fee and refuse to help a chicken because of an uneducated opinion. We need to educate people that children love them as pets, some people with high blood pressure need them as their pet. But you all know this.

I think we would like to make this page very interesting reading to those who are not chicken owners, perhaps, educating people to their value as a pet . There's alot of info to put into an 8 x 11 page. Artists, writers, and especially ideas are needed as to what needs to be on the page, how to say it, etc. within the space we have on one page.

Nifty-Chicken will provide Graphics to the finished page!!!!!!

THIS IS IMPORTANT! IT'S A BYC ALL MEMBER PROJECT!!!!! Get your talent in here!


Any post or picture used for this project will have automatic permission by the submitter to be used in a printable page to be used by anyone who wishes to print it off.



QUOTES:

...." Did you know.... A chicken will keep the snakes out of your yard."

They can be very loving and sociable, like hopping into your lap and cuddling, and enjoying being petted, much like a cat or dog...

Keeping pet chickens is great fun and relaxing at the same time. They make productive pets and they’re definitely a magnet for children.

I can unwind after working by sitting outside with my chickens and having that cup of coffee

Feathered Valium. Stress busters weather they are in your lap or in your yard, They calm the soul just to watch them.

Companionship. Fluffy lap warmers who won't tell you you're putting on weight.

Relatively low maintenance compared to a dog. (You don't need to have them spayed.)

did you know, when you come home, chickens will recognise the sound of your car and come running to greet you with their little wings out

A rooster warms up the nest for inexperienced egg layers

the can be fun loving little or big fluffy pets for children or adults.

they have a beautiful hand made by my husband coop and big long run from which they are protected from all the stray cats

Most people that I talk to don't know just how friendly chickens are, with different personailties

Chickens Help To Get Rid Of Poison Ivy . They love to eat it.

This is a great idea. I needed to educate my egg-recipients about fresh eggs, and this goes way beyond that! How should we provide ideas?

I like this idea.
I think one of the most important bits of information would be the chicken cycle, not the hatching part, but the kitchen waste in -egg and manure out. The nitrogen cycle as represented in a chicken. from kitchen waste to compost for the garden to food again.

An important part is that children can see where our food comes from,and the importance of gratitude to the lowly hen.

And also how the egg has been redeemed from cholesterol bombs to a healthy part of our diet again.
That's the stuff!

I'm thinkin if this should be more written ....or do we let pictures do the talking?

seminolewind said:

I'm thinkin if this should be more written ....or do we let pictures do the talking?

Click to expand...

I think you should do a mix of both, have written with small pictures, not to small, but just big enough for everyone to see. That way you have faces and smiles to back up everything that is writen?

Remember that old picture with the "Uncle Sam wants you to raise chickens" idea that was on the home page? I thinkthat should also be a part of this, as a sort of heritage and informational thing. I also like the cycle idea 3goodeggs had, and the fresh eggs Chemguy mentioned. Maybe we could also have a brief part about poultry shows and ornamental breeds. Sorry this is so random, but these are just ideas off the top of my head.

ETA: I agree with Whitewinterwolf about the pictures. I knew I'd forget to say something.

Here are some initial ideas for topics:

Chickens can be personable
Chickens come in many shapes, sizes, varieties (colors) and lay many different types of eggs
Free-ranging chickens can eat LOTS of bugs
A single chicken can produce eggs for many years
Chickens were first domesticated in Asia 5000 years ago and are now found from Australia to the Arctic

I just found out that here was a PBS documentary that mentions some more benefits: Natural History of the Chicken. Search for it on YouTube, and you'll likely find it. Part 1 sets the stage of how humans and chickens have come to coexist.

seminolewind said:

I'm thinkin if this should be more written ....or do we let pictures do the talking?

Click to expand...

Pictures can be used very powerfully to convey a message, and to gain the attention of a person who would not be inclined to take the time to read a simple page of text. I'll suggest both pictures and text. Maybe mostly writing, but definitely with pictures.

If you want it to be one regular page I suggest dividing into 5 paragraphs, the 1st being the intro, then the second the benefits of owning your own chickens/fowl, the third could expand on the value and benefits of knowing exactly what is in your eggs or fresh chicken, the fourth a condensed version of what is needed to house and raise chickens in your backyard. The last paragraph would restated your intro and also direct everyone where to go to expand on the information they have been given in the info sheet. Just give the basic information in the body, don't try and cram a ton of info in it or they wouldn't read it because of info overload. The wrap up is the important link to the expansion and leading them to BYC or available books. You could include a couple lines that contain websites and books/magazines.

Yes, I think it should be divided into sections like a newspaper, with cute little pictures and articles to go with them.

One of the topics could be how fun chickens are! They do tricks, like run after you and jump up in the air for treats. They are also hilarious to watch interact with each other and play "food football" (as I call it, when they find a tasty morsel and steal it from each other repeatedly

They can be very loving and sociable, like hopping into your lap and cuddling, and enjoying being petted, much like a cat or dog...

They are very inexpensive, after the initial setup of coop and pen, and enjoy every sort of scrap you have to offer, food-wise.
Unlike a cat or dog, who will only usually eat meat scraps, chickens will eat all of your scraps: fruit, vegetable, meat, bread, dairy...you name it, they'll probably eat it!

Not only that, but besides getting rid of what you would normally throw in the garbage, they will give you delicious fresh eggs to feed to yourself and your family. ( you might even mention that you can feed the eggshells back to them for extra added calcium )!

I can't think of a more perfect pet, when you think of it that way!