California - Northern

[tommysgirl]

We got chickens to be more self sufficient in our food. I happened to get hooked, and they are now my hobby. I look at them as livestock mostly, though there are some that have made it into my heart and will be here for life - whether productive or not. I guess in my mind, a pet is something that lives indoors with you - not happening with my chickens.

Now, I can say this cuz Deb isn't here.

I still don't believe a silkie is actually a chicken.

That's pretty much how I would characterize it. I wanted to be closer to my food. Started with 8 lost one the first night, Now I have 27 if you count the ones that don't count. 21 if you count the ones that do.

I used to think the same thing about silkies BUT now I am looking forward to hatching some of those silkie mix eggs and getting something cool and very broody out of it

 

[chiqita]

We got chickens to be more self sufficient in our food.  I happened to get hooked, and they are now my hobby.  I look at them as livestock mostly, though there are some that have made it into my heart and will be here for life - whether productive or not.  I guess in my mind, a pet is something that lives indoors with you - not happening with my chickens.

Now, I can say this cuz Deb isn't here.     I still don't believe a silkie is actually a chicken.

!!!!!
I blame mario for our start in chickens. Now it's a shared hobby that also provides food and entertainment.

 

[WendyJeepchick]

Allow me to ramble;
I am asked if my chickens are pets or livestock which has been difficult to answer because if livestock, why do I keep chickens when I can buy eggs or meat cheaper in the store? Or, if they are pets, why do I ruthlessly cull and eat them? I also don’t personally embrace the “I raise my own food for health reasons” idea, so that doesn't fly. At least not for me.
I have come to see that my flock is my pet. Not any individual bird. Now I enjoy all the individual personalities, even the trouble makers. But when part of the flock is endangering the whole, it has to go. So I’m curious, why do you keep chickens?

Ditto for me as well. Their independance and lack of attachment is one of the things that I like at this point if my life. Not having to feel guilty that an animal (cat or dog) hasn't had enough quality time. I like that they give back and serve a purpose. And for me personally, going through perimenopause at 41, they provide chicken therapy. Watching them in the morning with my cup of coffee is like meditation. Of course, there are those "special" chickens. Like, Barney, our French Cuckoo Maran. Who likes to pretend he's running from you nut really wants to be picked up. And then rides around with us in our golf cart. Ok FINE...he's a pet.

 

[lawatt]

hey! happy to report back on the 10-week-old duckwing marans chick that was showing signs of possibly vent gleet (even though i *think* it's a boy -- comb looks like a boy, but totally does not ACT like a boy -- time will tell) -- it's been isolated all week, and given ACV in water plus yogurt every other day or so -- i never did manage to remember to buy epson salts (it's the first week of the semester & has been kind of crazy) -- but this afternoon, gave it another bathing on its back end, and it seems to be producing normal-looking poops now! am keeping it by itself a bit more, to make sure the cleaned-up backside stays clean -- but hurrah!

 

[ronott1]

hey! happy to report back on the 10-week-old duckwing marans chick that was showing signs of possibly vent gleet (even though i *think* it's a boy -- comb looks like a boy, but totally does not ACT like a boy -- time will tell) -- it's been isolated all week, and given ACV in water plus yogurt every other day or so -- i never did manage to remember to buy epson salts (it's the first week of the semester & has been kind of crazy) -- but this afternoon, gave it another bathing on its back end, and it seems to be producing normal-looking poops now! am keeping it by itself a bit more, to make sure the cleaned-up backside stays clean -- but hurrah!

That is good to hear!

When the semester calms down a bit for you, post some pictures!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I used to think the same thing about silkies BUT now I am looking forward to hatching some of those silkie mix eggs and getting something cool and very broody out of it

Careful what you wish for. I hatched a bunch of breeds (not silkies) for their broody tendencies and I had 10 broodies last year.

 

[farmhand]

Of course, there are those "special" chickens. Like, Barney, our French Cuckoo Maran. Who likes to pretend he's running from you nut really wants to be picked up. And then rides around with us in our golf cart. Ok FINE...he's a pet.

I would definitely put him in the pet category.

 

[farmhand]

I used to think the same thing about silkies BUT now I am looking forward to hatching some of those silkie mix eggs and getting something cool and very broody out of it

What kind of silkie mix is very broody? I'm guessing they never come up for a breath?

 

[WendyJeepchick]

I would definitely put him in the pet category.

My daughter Autumn with Barney (Maran) and Goliath (Jersey Giant)

 

[WendyJeepchick]

Darn attachment...Sheesh.