About 'Chicken' People???

[LaPineEggs]

I've participated on all kinds of forums over the decades and while there is always differing opinions about the subject matter, folks are generally travelling in the same lane.

This is the first forum I have visited that seems to have two completely different schools of thought about the the subject matter (Chickens). There are those who consider their Chickens pets above all else, and those who look at the birds as agriculture animals. And thus, most often two very different thought processes evolve about everything Chicken.

I'm not criticizing, just making what I see as an interesting observation as a new forum member here.

What are your thoughts about this subject?

 

[KatharinetheGr8]

Hello @LaPineEggs ! I have noticed the same in my short membership in this community. I tend to fall into the "chickens as pets" camp. I'm an animal lover and after spending time caring for and loving my chickens they will never become dinner. I will, however, gladly eat their eggs once they begin laying.

I do not judge people who are strong enough to raise meat birds. I really respect their ability to do this, and certainly am happy to purchase meat from these small farm operations who raise chickens humanely and slaughter them in the same manner. I just couldn't personally make it through dinner preparation and serving without becoming a sobbing, blithering idiot if my girls were on the chopping block and dinner plate.

Where do you fall in this spectrum?

 

[RJSorensen]

It is one coin, two sides. The pet side is a bit over the top for the livestock group, and I suppose the livestock group cuts a little close to the quick for the pet owners. I come from the livestock side background and have transitioned over to the pet side. This is more than layers vs. meat birds, it runs in most all topics, somewhere. By and large BYC is what I would term a 'pet' site and has an active group of hatchers, folks whom like varying egg colors and a good following of birds that have fluffy heads/feathered feet. Most of these to me are in the vein of pet side.

I don't see it as an issue however, just differing people doing what is of an interest to them. That is as red, white & blue as you can get, makes America great, does the same for BYC in my opinion. The thing I noticed most about the site was just how nice everyone seems to be, and for the most part helpful. A wonderful resource for bird fanciers world wide.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not sure where I fall, I think of them as livestock, but I don't eat them, I want them to be happy, but you will never find a chicken in my house, I want them to be healthy, but am willing to cull those that are sick as opposed to trying to treat and save everything, I really think what drives ones opinion on chickens is whether you grew up with animals in the country like I did, or if you never laid eyes on a chicken until you bought some. I personally understand the way of nature and the cycle of life and death, others are just beginning to understand that. Either way chickens are good for the soul.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It is one coin, two sides. The pet side is a bit over the top for the livestock group, and I suppose the livestock group cuts a little close to the quick for the pet owners. I come from the livestock side background and have transitioned over to the pet side. This is more than layers vs. meat birds, it runs in most all topics, somewhere. By and large BYC is what I would term a 'pet' site and has an active group of hatchers, folks whom like varying egg colors and a good following of birds that have fluffy heads/feathered feet. Most of these to me are in the vein of pet side.

I don't see it as an issue however, just differing people doing what is of an interest to them. That is as red, white & blue as you can get, makes America great, does the same for BYC in my opinion. The thing I noticed most about the site was just how nice everyone seems to be, and for the most part helpful. A wonderful resource for bird fanciers world wide.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ

Well put!

 

[Folly's place]

That's where I am too. Mary

 

[Hholly]

I find myself in the middle. I love all animals but realize that death is part of life. I don't believe in letting an animal suffer. And I can't afford to pay ginormous vet bills. Reasonable vet care is doable. My first flock has produced 7 roosters out of 14 chicks. So far I have culled one. and am working up to doing more. Was hoping someone would need some. But I believe a good death is better than a miserable life.

 

[myhenSunrise]

I set up camp just last year at camp chickens are pets, and though it hurts, I may have to eat three of my precious Roos this Christmas, because nobody around this place want to buy SLW Roos. D:

 

[aart]

I'm a 'livestocker', I respect all living things and care for them accordingly,
but am adamantly anti anthropomorphism and avoid those discussions here.

I go to homesteadingtoday.com/poultry for more livestock type discussions.

BYC is definitely more of a 'pet' place, feeding off the 'chickens in the backyard' fad,
but it seems there are sub-forums for every faction.

You forgot the show bird breeder faction here, another sharp divide.

 

[KatharinetheGr8]

I'm a 'livestocker', I respect all living things and care for them accordingly,
but am adamantly anti anthropomorphism and avoid those discussions here.

I go to homesteadingtoday.com/poultry for more livestock type discussions.

BYC is definitely more of a 'pet' place, feeding off the 'chickens in the backyard' fad,
but it seems there are sub-forums for every faction.

You forgot the show bird breeder faction here, another sharp divide.

I'm not trying to ugly or judgmental here, just better understand the "other," as it were. Why so against anthropomorphism, @aart? (For some readers out there who may not be familiar with the term - this means assigning human-like attributes to animals [or anything else, really] without the Homo sapiens classification.) Is this to make necessary culling of your animals less painful?

I certainly anthropomorphize my animals and I am not ashamed of this behavior. My dogs undoubtedly have human-like characteristics, my cat is full of sass and spitfire but can snuggle in sweetly when she knows I need her. My goats generally demonstrate herd mentality but each one tends towards a different trait. My chickens each have a personality of their own. I firmly believe they are capable of experiencing the same range of emotions as a human. Their basal instincts are prominent, however they demonstrate anger, love, loneliness, excitement just as I do.

I believe that people from both camps, anthropomorphizers and livestockers, are right. We need people in this world from both camps. To me, my animals provide food but they also provide companionship and entertainment. I am happy to maintain their well-being and provide them with the care they need.

Just a few thoughts from where I stand on the issue.