ELI5 Why do so many ppl treat chickens expendable??

[FrostRanger]

As if rats are better pets then chickens?

People do keep fancy rats and evidently they're sweet, curious and playful. I personally consider wild rats pests but even though I wouldn't own any, i'm cool with the fancy ones

 

[JacinLarkwell]

As if rats are better pets then chickens?

Would you rather they not be fed to his rats and just tossed out?

 

[SourRoses]

People do keep fancy rats and evidently they're sweet, curious and playful. I personally consider wild rats pests but even though I wouldn't own any, i'm cool with the fancy ones

I used to breed tricolor mice when I was a teen. They were so cute! I started with a sweet petable male who was tan and white, then got him a girlfriend who was black and white. All of the babies were black and tan and white, some with the cutest spotty patchy faces!
But it did get rather out of control. A neighbor wanted to feed them to his snake, I was not having that! Eventually my mom decided she was not buying any more tanks and she was tired of the collection I already had... it took months to find homes for them all.

But I don't like rats. They took over the chicken area at our previous place. They even ate a 3 month old pullet by squeezing through a tiny gap!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I used to breed tricolor mice when I was a teen. They were so cute! I started with a sweet petable male who was tan and white, then got him a girlfriend who was black and white. All of the babies were black and tan and white, some with the cutest spotty patchy faces!
But it did get rather out of control. A neighbor wanted to feed them to his snake, I was not having that! Eventually my mom decided she was not buying any more tanks and she was tired of the collection I already had... it took months to find homes for them all.

But I don't like rats. They took over the chicken area at our previous place. They even ate a 3 month old pullet by squeezing through a tiny gap!

Did you ever have those weird haired mice? I think they're called 'teddy' or 'rex' furred?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

As if rats are better pets then chickens?

Don't tag me in this junk thread. You do you and I'll do me...

 

[Azhtann]

A chicken on a leash?! Do I like that idea? I think I do! Just strolling around the local feed store lol. I’d even get him a vest that says do not touch, vicious breed. In his hat. And wearing booties!

No hat or booties, but chicken on a leash...

 

[FrostRanger]

I would not leash a chicken and take them places. It's bad from a biosecurity standpoint and it's bad 'cause chickens are prey animals and at the feed store in particular people tend to bring their dogs which can stress the bird out and the dog in question might not be good with chickens. The strange loud environment would be stressful enough for the bird. Not to mention chickens poop everywhere and in general can't really be housebroken (ik a few have been but they are the exceptions rather than the rule). Yes, diapers do exist, but it's still not ideal. I'd leave the bird at home. Chickens can be good pets, but they aren't that type of pet, they'll be much happier at home with their flock scratching around and doing other chicken business

 

[Egg Snatcher]

I agree, I feel as though sacrificing a rooster to catch a predator is wrong... Why put a helpless animal that can't defend himself, up aganst a huge animal..? Thats not fair in the rooster part. In the process of a rooster being attacked its suffering, feeling pain.. Feathers being plucked. Not fair. Period.

Roosters arnt worth as much as a hens which is why I have used roosters as a last resort in the past to catch a predator. It hurts my heart to use him as bait but if he can be sacrificed to save the flock he will be used.

Anyone ever hear of rooster fights? Where they put two aggressive roosters in a box and let them fight. One comes out alive yet suffering, the other one dead. Both with blood all over there faces. In no way is this fair.

This is an illegal act and is animal abuse. If a rooster is seized from a cock fighting ring he and his buddies will be killed bc they will be aggressive to other roosters and people, if they can prove the rooster will not kill other roosters then he will go up for adoption.


The way I see it chickens are livestock. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE my birds dearly. I hate seeing them die and sometimes when I have to sell some of my favorite birds that is also hard. But to be a responsible person you have to make certain decisions. You are responsible for the life and when it ends. It’s our responsibility when we kill a bird to make it as least painful as possible and not waste the bird if possible. I agree with @BigBlueHen53. Farmers who have cows like myself have to sale the bull calve to (a) get money and (b) we can’t keep all the cows that are produced (heifer calves are also sold for meat). Same with the goats I raise. I love my goats but we can’t keep all the babies back so we sale them. Some go to get eaten, pets, or to be another persons live stock. In the end sometime sacrifices have to be made wether we like it or not.

 

[SourRoses]

Did you ever have those weird haired mice? I think they're called 'teddy' or 'rex' furred?

Uhh ohh! Do you know how long I just spent looking at Satin Rex mice pictures and forums? What a rabbit hole / mouse hole...

Then it showed me a Tennessee Rex cat. Stoppp itttt!

 

[JeffreyL]

Hi y'all, not sure if you've any Rhode Island Reds, but I have 22 hens that are 4 months old as of yesterday. Today I got my first two eggs from this morning. Anyway if you're interested in buying a couple I am trying to find homes for about 10 of them. They're very sweet, none of them have had any issues at all. I will deliver them or you can pick up of course. I live in Grovetown it is in the northwest corner of Augusta essentially. If I deliver it is
$25 from 1-50 miles $50 from 50-100 miles
$35 each hen

All 22 of them cram themselves into that little coop I built for 4. I don't really understand why. I've provided roosting poles that many if not all use during the day. Its the weirdest thing to see them cram themselves into that coop it's 52 wide and 28" deep. I would love to know why they do that, anyone? I'm guessing because of them getting going with laying eggs...??
Also if anyone knows of an affordable way to help them with laying eggs with stronger shells please share your knowledge. I didn't expect them to start laying so quickly. I was told they would start laying in Nov/Dec.
Appreciate any and all advice, insights and wisdom. Thank you,
Jeff.