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

[Nonny]

We had a few reasons... paying over $7.00 for a dozen free range organic eggs was getting a bit ridiculous, we liked the idea of recycling our kitchen scraps and getting fertiliser and eggs in return, and I needed an excuse to get outdoors more with the kids. Now I love nothing more than sitting out in the yard with a cuppa, watching the kids play and the chooks roam.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
HAHAHA I would have solved that problem the very same way.

 

[cc0905]

My family and I have been going more and more to the farmer's market's and participating in CSA's in our area and doing our best to support our local economy instead of the big guys, and this part of it just seemed to make sense, to be somewhat self sufficient, not totally, but grow/raise some items ourselves, we believe it's something important to pass on to our children

 

[For The Love of Peeps]

Hi All,

Last Sept., Some neighbors moved out, and abandoned 4 hens.

The hens finally escaped their back yard, and they were running through the neighborhood for about 1 month. Dogs & cats were chasing them, children & people were chasing them and throwing rocks & things at them.

I tried to catch them but could not. The neighbors behind me caught & killed at least two of them (it sounded very unprofessional & horrible).

One afternoon when I arrived home from work...a Orpington Buff hen was in my backyard. She was extremely weak and I was able to catch her. I kept her in my garage, in a cardboard box, as it was getting very cold at night and nursed her back to health. I made her a makeshift coop and bought her a "husband".

My Grandaughters love them. I love them as well!!

They are very relaxing to come home too!

 

[MuskokaChick]

Quote:
HAHAHA I would have solved that problem the very same way.

TEEHEEHEE!!!!

 

[MuskokaChick]

Quote:
Yes this is actually how I feel. We joined a CSA and it starts next weekend! can't wait!!!


I want to teach my girls that they can live off the land if need be...and actually much better for you! Last week we experimented with dandelion tea, and white pine tea...full of Vitamins!

Helping our neighbors help us...I like the whole concept!

cheers!

 

[ladyride]

I just got new fluffy butts from ideal today they were shipped wed

 

[Noymira]

I grew up in a declining dairy farming family. I had a horse as a teenager and enjoyed working with him, I felt it taught me a great deal about hard work and responsibility.

We have a nearly two year old daughter who loves eggs, my DH and I love eggs too, we can eat 18 a week with just the three of us! I wanted to have access to fresh eggs, and teach my daughter that not all food comes from a grocery store. I also don't trust that the government has our best interests in mind when it comes to food safety and regulation. My daughter will be the 5th generation in my family on this land and I want her to appreciate her farming heritage.

I also want to work towards becoming as economically independent as possible on our property and provide a lot of our own food. I 'm not a TEOTWAWKI kind of person, but I do believe that our economic system is fragile and I don't like being entirely at the mercy of such a system for my family's survival. This one of the first steps in my plan to use our 2.5 acres to provide food for us in the long run. Next year we will be adding some meat birds and turkeys, as well as working on vegetable gardens. I am also doing a lot of research on canning and cold storage for food.

We already burn wood for heat, but I would love to invest in some solar technology as it becomes more economical so we can reduce our energy dependency as well.

 

[RoosterRidge]

We got ours for the eggs they would give. They have given us so much more. I never would have believed how entertaining they are. We sit down at the coop and run and just watch them. They give you hours of entertainment and they are excellant therapy. We never thought we would have spoiled chickens but they are just rotten. I don't think we could ever cull any of them. We are too soft hearted for that and they have became part of the family. Sounds crazy I know but we could never have a tasty pet.

 

[silkeysandra]

I would say it is to be more self-sufficient also. I mean, even though my girls are pets, I know that if really hard times hit, we COULD use them as food--but I'd cry.
As an artist, they have always been an interesting subject and personally, they are pretty comical. When I was given my two little silkey pullets, I was have enormous stress at work and they sure helped me to forget about work day. All my coworkers (well, nearly all) got a kick out of hearing about their antics and pecking order dramas. After my job was eliminated, I began a monthly "Coop Newsletter' so my ex-coworkers could continue to get the 'scoop in the coop'. It is still going and can be reached by the View My BYC Page link to the left. They are still a great stress reliever--I have found that even after (forced by finances) retirement, I can get stress! ha! The eggs are just gifts since all my girls are basically considered exotics and looking after them gives my days some structure. I am grateful to have them and am planning to move to somewhere I can have more and maybe sell eggs at a farmers market.