Hi, I'm Belila, and I have had chickens since Mother's Day of 2022. I didn't plan on being a chicken mom, but after a bit of a shock, I accepted the surprise gift from my kids. I went in pretty unprepared! My kids are older, two away at college now and one finishing high school (the human kids, not the chickens). I think they were worried I'd be bored without them to take care of, so they replaced themselves with chickens! I wouldn't have been bored, and I was looking forward to the quiet house and less work, but it's been a wonderful experience, all in all, even though I didn't initially "choose" it. I started with three chicks, a heat lamp, and a swimming pool in a shed. Moved them out to the coop they sleep in every night, and got a run and a routine established. I loved it!! They stay mainly in the coop/run, but pretty much everyday barring the worst weather, I take them for a walk (about an hour) around the perimeter of our acre. I do a little gardening as we walk, and that's my exercise for the day too.
Sadly, a coyote somehow got under the fence of their run and took one of them last week, which is how I found this forum. The guilt and sadness are hard, and I realized how much a part of my life they had become. I wonder how long I will be looking at the two that are left and seeing that invisible third one. Chickens are hilarious, adorable, and odd. I have one who pecks at my feet and knees every time she sees me, and the other one is adorably fat and docile. They both seem to like being held. I think what I might say to someone who is just starting is that it's really enjoyable to have chickens, but it's also imperfect--birds do die, and get taken by predators ( I feel like if a coyote is hungry enough, they could get into/over/under pretty much any run). They are part of our ecosystem, and have cubs (kits?) to feed. I think I'm a good, devoted chicken mom, but I think I'm getting that loss is also part of this. Still, worth it.
Sadly, a coyote somehow got under the fence of their run and took one of them last week, which is how I found this forum. The guilt and sadness are hard, and I realized how much a part of my life they had become. I wonder how long I will be looking at the two that are left and seeing that invisible third one. Chickens are hilarious, adorable, and odd. I have one who pecks at my feet and knees every time she sees me, and the other one is adorably fat and docile. They both seem to like being held. I think what I might say to someone who is just starting is that it's really enjoyable to have chickens, but it's also imperfect--birds do die, and get taken by predators ( I feel like if a coyote is hungry enough, they could get into/over/under pretty much any run). They are part of our ecosystem, and have cubs (kits?) to feed. I think I'm a good, devoted chicken mom, but I think I'm getting that loss is also part of this. Still, worth it.
Glad you joined.
