Big question, why did all of you new chicken owners get chickens?

[emmak]

Ditto trunkman. Want to know about chickens, and want to be able to provide for my family in any circumstance.

 

[WYOwhy]

I run a children's summer camp. When discussing new activities to add to our camp last summer someone suggested that a "farm" or "petting zoo" would be fun and educational. I fell in love with the idea. I knew that chickens would be a great addition to the farm as they can be held and are friendly. I knew that they would eat all the bugs the kids could catch and the added benefit of fresh eggs sold me on it. I have a friend who lives in the country and we set up a partnership where I raised the baby chicks and took them to camp all summer and she took them home in the fall to keep all winter. Plan would have worked perfectly, except I discovered I love chickens. Now I have a city flock and a partnership in a country flock. We're already planning which chicks to order this spring and plotting ways to expand our fun.

 

[trunkman]

Wow, these are all great stories! This is also where I learned how to get my flock going, everybody on here is great and very helpful. I'm also going to get more chicks in the spring, I'm thinking of incubating my own, I've asked a question or two on here and everyone was very helpful, Can't wait to produce my own new flock!

 

[goochgirl]

A few years ago, when we had a huge backyard, we saw a story on CBS Sunday Morning about the growing popularity of chickens as backyard pets. My DH and I discussed getting a few chickens on and off over the past few years. Fast forward to last year while I was searching the sattelite menu for something to watch while folding the laundry. Martha Stewart was about to begin, and was having guests from MMcM and BYC. I recorded it, because I thought my kids would enjoy it. Showed it to DH when he got home from work, ordered a chicken catalog, and found this forum. A few weeks later, we took a Sunday visit to a feedstore with chicks "just to look" and came home with our 2 girls. Did I mention we have a tiny backyard, now?? We love our girls. I laugh at their antics throughout the day. Worry about them in the rain and cold (I'm a city girl). It also gives my children an appreciation of the food they are eating.

 

[ams3651]

I got them after finially moving to the country and wanting animals. I figured starting off with chickens wasnt hard and I already had a shed to use. I was going thru a big challenge in my life at the time and wanted a distraction, something to put my attention to. Plus my mom had cancer and having fresh farm eggs was something I could contribute to her new healthier diet. And like today, I went out to the coop and collected eggs and made them for breakfast. Not every one can do that and I love it.

 

[ams3651]

Quote:
Great to hear we got new members from that show!

 

[tuffy]

Having a bad day? Impossible not to smile while watching a chicken run~ Enjoy

 

[Salvadora.Seabright]

Bug control! That was what pushed us over the edge. Fresh eggs we could trust and don't have to drive ten miles (and only on certain days) to get was the other reason. After about a month a total free ranging and teaching them to circle the house we noticed a major reduction of bugs. Imagine, summer without hoards of annoying moths around your lamps. the downside is poop where you least expect it. meat was a vague concept but we've decided against butchering since the boys get along pretty well.

 

[chikky]

My first chicken was a rescue Polish...older than dirt and the others picked on her badly. She was such a nice chicken.

I liked her so well that after she passed, I got two more Polish hens. They're just great pets and keep me company when I'm working in the flower beds.

 

[DanEP]

Ticks and eggs in that order