Ten Reasons You Should Spend Ten Extra Minutes With Your Flock Every Day

Call me an emotional wimp, but I will never ever try bonding with chickens again, after my first flock experience. There were three: Lucy, Ethel and Rica. Each had such individual personalities I couldn't believe it. We spent time with them in our laps. They were our kids (we're two little old ladies with no kids, just a four-pawed one). And then they started getting sick and there are no vets willing to deal with chickens anywhere within driving distance. And I never ever want to go through the heartbreaking experience of seeing them suffer til they died. After them, and our broken hearts, our subsequent flocks are identified strictly as "the red one", "the white one" etc. No naming allowed.

Thank you for the article. I enjoy my flock so much and the neighbors love the see them in the yard. They are wonderful creatures.

A really nice article. It reminds me of the reason I got chickens, that I just love having them!

Good work! Makes me want to run to my coop, but I can't because its wet from all the rain we're having. But when it dries out I'm going to have some quality time with my girls and guy. Thanks!

The only point I would add is the health benefits to us! By spending the time with our feathered girls, it can lower one's blood pressure!

I really enjoyed this article as I have three ladies and one, Jane-Amerucana, always comes running up to me to have me pet her. She sqats down, puts her wings to the side and lets me pet her back while I talk to her. The other two ladies, Blondie-Leghorn, and Samantha-Amerucana, have started to come and squat once in a while to be petted, but are selective as to when I can pet them. They all LOVE to peck at my shoes so I get the chance to chat with them out in the coop and as they free range they follow me. I had a bag of shredded lettuce for tacos that went brown overnight so I went out and boy did the ladies love the lettuce. I give them a hefty handful each time I go out and they thank me with happy chatter and pretty green and white eggs. Love those birds!!

This is a great article. Good suggestions. I love my chickens. I don’t have backyard chickens though. We live in the foothills on wooded property, so they are more farm chickens than backyard. They have such different personalities and habits. They all run to me for treats and love, but a few want me to pet and hold them. Most just want to be around me. They are so cute.

I think that this was a great article!! And so true!!
I go out every day around 4:30 and spend an hour with them and talk and sing while I watch the big group of chickens free range so no chickens will get eaten by the hawks (the big chickens are our favorite over the little coop ones. they had to go in the little coop cause they are mean and don’t get along with the others. The little group already free ranges all day so i put them away while i watch the others). I love my hens each day and make sure they all get what they need. Some like to cuddle, some like their space, some like to run around, etc.

so I approve of this article!!

Great reasons for chilling with my flock. I look forward to them finally being in their coop outside. Having them inside has definitely given us all a magnificent way to spend lots of time with them and bond!

Great read! My chickens are only a few weeks old but already have distinct personalities. They bring so much enjoyment to the whole family.

I love reading these articles. We only have 8 chickens now but they are quite friendly. Thanks for all the good advice.

Excellent article, and it reinforces to me that I do love my chickies and there are other like-minded folks out there. I do spend lots of time with them after I get home from work, and nobody else in my family or friends can relate to that. They kind of laugh it off give me a funny look, and think I'm crazy (tho' none have had actually told me yet). They are missing out on so much fun and relaxation by watching them.

We enjoy watching our chickens most evenings before they go back in the coop for the night. They all have their own personalities, and make us laugh quite often. Lots of fun !

When I let them out in the morning, when I work around them, sit and watch them and tuck them in at night it swells my heart. I talk to them at bedtime and cuddle them and it’s just the very best especially when I can see it does the same for them.

Love this article - I end my work day by taking a break in the back yard with the chickens. A creature of routine, if I don't get that time at the end of my day, it's just not the same. I have a flock of 80, most with names, some special needs. After a day of working in a corporate environment, using my brain all day and acting proper, watching, talking to and and just being with the chickens just helps to forget about all that stuff and go back to something.....simple and honest to goodness. It's also great to catch any issues early before they become bigger problems.

Great article! I spend everyday with my flock of 15! I Love to talk to them everyday. And it’s so true each one has their own personality. I love them so much!

im guilty of spending a lot of time, if not most of the day if I could. I love my feathered babies, even when they get mad at me.. yes, i know when they are upset! That’s how much time I spend with them!

Thanks for the article, keep them coming!

We're new chicken owners & I can't wait until we have the chance to spend time with them outside!