Chicken keeping is a hard mountain to climb, and you never stop climbing! It's an adventure for sure! Though not necessary, these are the top ten skills I believe every chicken keeper should try to develop or learn. They'll make you and your flock's life smoother in the future.
1. Succumb to the birds
You might as well admit it. You are chicken crazy and there is no escape. You might as well encourage it and let it turn into a full-blown obsession!
2. Find chicken life support
Join BackYardChickens, FB groups, or local organizations of chicken lovers! They will support you and help you on your way!
3. Get messy
Chicken keeping involves a lot of chicken poop, cracked eggs, and mistakes. Just clean it up and keep going!
4. Juggle your supplies
Likely, a day in the coop will involve holding a basket of eggs, a jug of water, and a half-full bag of feed all at once while tripping over the knee-high chickens. Learn to juggle it into controlled chaos.
5. Control your chicken math
Chickens are very addicting, but difficult it may be, you must learn to control you chicken math! Balance addition and multiplication with subtraction and division!
6. Let the chickens be chickens
As hard as it sounds, we should not pamper our chickens, though occasionally spoiling them is acceptable. Too many treats can do more harm than good. They are tough and can adapt to the weather. Let them squabble, so long as they do not take it too far.
7. Learn to deal with loss
Chickens die. Sometimes it is chance, and other times it is our own doing. But you did not do it intentionally, it was a mistake. And you can learn from it and prevent some problems in the future! Yes, grieve for the chicken. But continue on despite your loss, even when you want to give up!
8. Make hard calls
Sometimes a chicken is in pain and we need to put them down. Sometimes you have too many chickens for your coop and need to rehome some. As chicken keepers it is our responsibility to do what is best for the flock as a whole and its individuals.
9. Be open to new ideas
Nobody knows it all. There will always be more to learn and explore. Keep an open mind and embrace the adventure!
10. Teach others
Smooth the path for new chicken keepers by sharing what you learned with them! Invite others to enter the chicken world and help each other grow!
There you have it, 10 skills for a chicken keeper to work on! Don't feel overwhelmed. I've been keeping chickens for nearly 8 years now and I'm still far from perfect! There will always be room for improvement!
Happy Chickening!
1. Succumb to the birds
You might as well admit it. You are chicken crazy and there is no escape. You might as well encourage it and let it turn into a full-blown obsession!
2. Find chicken life support
Join BackYardChickens, FB groups, or local organizations of chicken lovers! They will support you and help you on your way!
3. Get messy
Chicken keeping involves a lot of chicken poop, cracked eggs, and mistakes. Just clean it up and keep going!
4. Juggle your supplies
Likely, a day in the coop will involve holding a basket of eggs, a jug of water, and a half-full bag of feed all at once while tripping over the knee-high chickens. Learn to juggle it into controlled chaos.
5. Control your chicken math
Chickens are very addicting, but difficult it may be, you must learn to control you chicken math! Balance addition and multiplication with subtraction and division!
6. Let the chickens be chickens
As hard as it sounds, we should not pamper our chickens, though occasionally spoiling them is acceptable. Too many treats can do more harm than good. They are tough and can adapt to the weather. Let them squabble, so long as they do not take it too far.
7. Learn to deal with loss
Chickens die. Sometimes it is chance, and other times it is our own doing. But you did not do it intentionally, it was a mistake. And you can learn from it and prevent some problems in the future! Yes, grieve for the chicken. But continue on despite your loss, even when you want to give up!
8. Make hard calls
Sometimes a chicken is in pain and we need to put them down. Sometimes you have too many chickens for your coop and need to rehome some. As chicken keepers it is our responsibility to do what is best for the flock as a whole and its individuals.
9. Be open to new ideas
Nobody knows it all. There will always be more to learn and explore. Keep an open mind and embrace the adventure!
10. Teach others
Smooth the path for new chicken keepers by sharing what you learned with them! Invite others to enter the chicken world and help each other grow!
There you have it, 10 skills for a chicken keeper to work on! Don't feel overwhelmed. I've been keeping chickens for nearly 8 years now and I'm still far from perfect! There will always be room for improvement!
Happy Chickening!
