Hello! New here...:-)

[WrapandSlimYou]

Hello! My name is Gina.

I do not have any chickens but one day when I move I hope to.

I have a 6 year old son who has autism. He loves chickens. I take him to a farm in Amish country...about an hour away. They have an open pen and he watches and gets very happy!!

The city I live in doesn't allow chickens. I am praying that my business booms and I make enough money to buy land down there and have my own. In the mean time....

Does anyone know of a program where you can buy a chicken but not take it home. Somewhere we can go anytime. I hope I am not offending anyone by asking. I read an article recently that chickens are therapeutic for autistic children and by seeing my sons reaction I totally believe it! I don't have very much support from my family because they think all chickens are mean.

If anyone has advice or suggestions... I would love to hear them!!

Thank you so much!!

 

[TwoCrows]

I am sorry about your son. But I have heard that animals definitely help kids with autism. You might want to check into your states thread to see if someone nearby might have some ideas for you....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you

I know this might sound crazy, but some people keep chickens in the house as house pets!! I know your town doesn't allow chickens, but I am sure that doesn't include a house hen! Here is a very active thread on house chickens. There are members such as yourself that keep a hen in the house and even one lady keeps a full grown turkey in the house!!! Some of these birds wear diapers and some don't. I am sure your son would love to have a house hen....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/299187/people-with-house-chickens

I wish you all the best in life!

 

[WrapandSlimYou]

Thank you for the warm welcome and ideas! I will look into the threads.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2 on TwoCrows suggestion of trying your state thread to see if you can find someone local with chickens. And Silkies especially do make great housepets! You might also check into 4-H or FFA clubs in your area, your son is too young to actually join, but a lot of clubs have junior membership activity type things... sometimes with the poultry projects instead of all the kids having the birds at their home, there will be someone will keep a flock that the kids use.

 

[drumstick diva]

There are breeds like the tiny serama that makes great housepets. Would your son be interested in a small breed puppy or kitten? some animal that your zoning would allow. It would be very upsetting if he had a chicken and you had to rehome it.

 

[sourland]

Gina, welcome to BYC. It really appears that chickens can help autistic kids - I'm with dd - how about a pet 'indoor' chicken?

 

[WrapandSlimYou]

Hello and thank you for the warm welcomes! I forgot to mention that unfortunately an indoor chicken would not work because I have two dogs and my hubby would never let me even if we didn't. I found this cute picture;-) This is how excited he gets about seeing chickens. Nice to meet you all.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and thank you for the warm welcomes! I forgot to mention that unfortunately an indoor chicken would not work because I have two dogs and my hubby would never let me even if we didn't. I found this cute picture;-) This is how excited he gets about seeing chickens. Nice to meet you all.

Your son is adorable! Well, maybe you need to get your laws changed in your town! Here is a link to our Chicken Laws and How To Change Them section on BYC. Maybe you can glean something off this section and maybe get the town to see it your way. I sure hope you can.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/37/local-chicken-laws-ordinances-and-how-to-change-them

Good luck!

 

[gander007]