⏰ How Much Time Do You Spend With Your Chickens Each Day?

[Abriana]

I usually spend about 15-30 minutes per day with them, both morning and evening (I split it up). It’s really important to spend extra time just watching them, I’ve identified and caught many illnesses and injuries before they became a big issue that way because I can tell when something is “off” even slightly. Plus my flock now is very young since many of my older ones have passed, and they are so energetic and happy—it’s really fun to watch them!

 

[Shadrach]

All day 7 days a week. If I'm not outside with them they're inside with me.
Obviously not all the chickens get such attention because they free range but it would be hard to pick an hour, except if I've gone shopping, when there isn't at least one chicken within arms reach.

 

[Eva2020]

I wish much more! In the winter its usually just open the coop give them fresh water (and food if needed) sprinkle some scratch, and in the evening close them up. Some days I sit with them in the run and watch them

 

[K0k0shka]

I wish I could spend more time with them. I have young children and a full time job though, so most of the options in the survey (and people’s responses) are wildly unrealistic for me. I do spend at least 10-15 minutes sitting with them every day, but most days that’s all I can manage, especially now that it’s cold and wet outside.

They do benefit greatly from the fact that I work from home thanks to COVID though, so I can manage even those 10-15 minutes per day when I take a break from work. If I had to go into the office, in the winter I’d leave before they woke up and get back after they went to bed, and not see them at all on work days! Because of COVID again, I had to take a leave of absence from work during the summer to care for the kids, and then we spent most of the day out in the yard and hanging out with the chickens. So they loaded up on their human time during the summer

 

[Allthefloofs]

I probably spend an average of 2 hours out with them. Sometimes it is as simple as some gardening with them, other times it is working on their runs or something, occasionally just sitting and reading with them sleeping on my lap. I also have the phone storage issue. I tend to take pictures of them rather frequently as well!

 

[CalBickieMomma]

So jealous you have lap chickens! I don’t have lap lovers, I have food lovers! Just yesterday I brought out a some toast to eat while I watched them free range. My chickens know that if there’s something in my hand that it is food, and they have to have it. As I sat down to eat I managed to form a crowd around me, and finally Joy jumped up on the porch swing beside me. Then Jokgu and Opal jumped up there too. Joy’s head followed the toast as I moved it away from her, and I quickly tried to finish it off. What I hadn’t remembered, was that Joy stops at nothing. She lunged forward and took the toast from my mouth!!!! Bad manners I know. i took it from her but she still swallowed a bit. Then Jokgu took the rest of that from my hand and Opal stole some of it from her. It was a whole chicken toast-war and I have to admit it was pretty funny!

Ha ha! Not all of mine are lap chickens (my Wyandottes will sit on my legs, but that’s it - they’ve never like cuddles), but as soon as I sit down in my chair, I barely have enough time to get the chicken blanket in my lap before the others are piling on . And my old lady barred rock won’t let anyone else on my lap if she gets there first . It’s because I spend an unnatural amount of time loving on them from the day I bring them home. I can’t help it!

 

[CHlCKEN]

Ha ha! Not all of mine are lap chickens (my Wyandottes will sit on my legs, but that’s it - they’ve never like cuddles), but as soon as I sit down in my chair, I barely have enough time to get the chicken blanket in my lap before the others are piling on . And my old lady barred rock won’t let anyone else on my lap if she gets there first . It’s because I spend an unnatural amount of time loving on them from the day I bring them home. I can’t help it!

My Wyandotte came to sit in my lap today! She has never been very friendly, but now she’s starting to warm up to me. My Orpington also sat with me. I don’t have any cuddly chickens yet, but I hope they start to do that even more.

 

[CalBickieMomma]

My Wyandotte came to sit in my lap today! She has never been very friendly, but now she’s starting to warm up to me. My Orpington also sat with me. I don’t have any cuddly chickens yet, but I hope they start to do that even more.

Lucky! Both my Wyandottes are the no-touchy type so I wondered if it might be a breed thing - guess not!
My Buff Orpington, Easter Egger, Barred Rocks, and one of my RIRs love attention and pets. My Silver Laced Polish also enjoy lap time and will let me hold them. Sylvia is especially fond of being held and carried around .

 

[MallardBay]

I checked 15-30 minutes because this time of year I can't enjoy being out in the cold too long! But I always go out there in the morning to say good morning and open their coop and then at least once more later in the day to give them a treat and check their food/water/nesting boxes. I have a VERY broody silkie who needs me to remind her eat and drink every day. The dogs come out with me, the chihuahua has a stand off through the fencing with the roo, and then I'll go inside until it's time to say good night and lock them up.

In the summer I eat lunch out there with them and just generally spend more time outside. I also spend more time fussing with their run and coop making sure it's entertaining and comfortable. I'll let them free range for about an hour before sunset in the summer (they'll head straight to the coop when it hits dusk, so easier to herd them inside) and it's one of my favorite things to do. Ugh I can't wait for warmer weather!!

 

[Kriscam]

I’m curious as to how much time everyone spends with their flock! I love watching mine free range and explore, and spend up to 3 or more hours with them some days! However it has become a burden to my phone storage because I tend to take pictures of their every move! I also eat lunch with them (terrible idea as I have now accidentally trained them to jump up on the porch swing with me, and try and take my food!) and stay with them until they go to bed. I love being with my girls and spend lots of time with them. I’m wondering how much time you spend with your chickens/birds each day! Perhaps I will find someone like myself, who spends all day with them!

I have little chicks right now and I have to tear myself away from them! I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes too many photos of them and loves to watch "chick tv." I'm going to miss not being so close to them when they grow up and live in their new coop. :-(