Chickens and Depression

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Chicken therapy. It is a therapy some might question, but chicken people believe in it whole heartily. I am 67 and newly retired. I started my chicken adventure in March. I am also from a large family. I have 9 siblings. I am blessed to live on 60 acres with a southern country man. He didn't want chickens for most of our married life, but I was thrilled when he said "let's get some chickens" and progressed to make the coop and run. We have chairs in the shade by the coop and watch them often. When they free range, they are all around our feet. Love it.
Welcome to the Backyard!
 
Berniejane said:
Hi all. I am 66 yrs. old and have had major depression all my life. This last spring I made a last ditch effort to do something. I'd always wished I had grown up on a farm. Instead I had 13 siblings! Anyway, I decided to get some baby chicks. I worked with a neighbor/handyman to fashion a coop out of scavenged wood, used the stimulus money to purchase the hardware cloth and other materials and got my babies on May 29th.

I have been soooo happy! My husband amazed me by not objecting to it. Remember that song by Hall and Oates "You're makin' my dreams come true"? That is the mantra that went through my mind at the way the Universe went my way and continues to guide me. Caring for my babies, learning everything I can to raise them responsibly, ethically and having fun doing it has changed my life!

Forums like this one and the Minnesota Backyard Chicken Group on FB have been a godsend. Sometimes in my free time I just watch youtube videos on what other people are doing. I have learned so much!

Okay, so here's what I have: One each of Black Austrolorp, Specked Sussex, Isa Brown, Rhode Island Red. Two Midnight Maran (feathered feet!) and two Easter Eggers--one reddish brown with a gorgeous reddish hood and one blue-ish grey. They have the puffy cheeks!

All I can say is I never expected my life to turn upwards at this late stage in the game. I have not been depressed since before the pandemic started. Each new stage in their growth has presented new challenges, required further research and given me a sense of purpose I take very seriously. Bonus: my husband and I have never gotten along so well! It hasn't been easy for him, living with me. But he sees the joy the birds give me and helps me daily to achieve the best flock possible.

My next project? A cattle panel greenhouse so they have a warm place to peck around in the winter!

Thanks for "listening."

Bernie in Minneapolis, MN
Click to expand...
Welcome to BYC.
Hope and pray you find much happiness with your new flock. They will bring you many years of joy. But, as you know already, you will have sadness too. But, you push through and keep that flock flourishing.
Congratulation on finding this new hobby. We all love it!!! Hence, the reason we are on BYC!!. Lol
 
I could write the book on Depression. Was depressed for many years, starting as a young girl. My family just said I sulked lot. My mother said, "Just don't think about it." That was her cure all for everything-never worked. Finally at 34 I started with a psychiatrist and what a major change in my life. I should say I outlived two psychiatrists - sadly both died of (different) cancers.

I also had major anxiety issues, agoraphobia, social phobias and panic attacks. I've recently turned 73 and thank heaven I am still here.The world is a much better place when you aren't loaded down with depression and other junk in your life.
 
Hello Bernie and welcome to BYC! This is a great place to learn and share your chicken adventures. You have to have a good sense of humor to raise chickens because they can be little darlings and demons. And be careful, they are so much smarter than you think and are always plotting their next mischevious endeavor. Mine have discovered they can eat my house. Don't ask, long story, just visualize it when you need a laugh.
 
Berniejane said:
Hi all. I am 66 yrs. old and have had major depression all my life. This last spring I made a last ditch effort to do something. I'd always wished I had grown up on a farm. Instead I had 13 siblings! Anyway, I decided to get some baby chicks. I worked with a neighbor/handyman to fashion a coop out of scavenged wood, used the stimulus money to purchase the hardware cloth and other materials and got my babies on May 29th.

I have been soooo happy! My husband amazed me by not objecting to it. Remember that song by Hall and Oates "You're makin' my dreams come true"? That is the mantra that went through my mind at the way the Universe went my way and continues to guide me. Caring for my babies, learning everything I can to raise them responsibly, ethically and having fun doing it has changed my life!

Forums like this one and the Minnesota Backyard Chicken Group on FB have been a godsend. Sometimes in my free time I just watch youtube videos on what other people are doing. I have learned so much!

Okay, so here's what I have: One each of Black Austrolorp, Specked Sussex, Isa Brown, Rhode Island Red. Two Midnight Maran (feathered feet!) and two Easter Eggers--one reddish brown with a gorgeous reddish hood and one blue-ish grey. They have the puffy cheeks!

All I can say is I never expected my life to turn upwards at this late stage in the game. I have not been depressed since before the pandemic started. Each new stage in their growth has presented new challenges, required further research and given me a sense of purpose I take very seriously. Bonus: my husband and I have never gotten along so well! It hasn't been easy for him, living with me. But he sees the joy the birds give me and helps me daily to achieve the best flock possible.

My next project? A cattle panel greenhouse so they have a warm place to peck around in the winter!

Thanks for "listening."

Bernie in Minneapolis, MN
Click to expand...


Welcome to BackYardChickens! So glad to have you here in our wonderful community of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable people! I read this out loud to my DP and she and I are both happy to hear that things are going so well for you. Life can get you down sometimes, can't it? But when you "focus outward" that does seem to help. Hang in there, and "keep chickening"!
 

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