I have been reading lots about keeping chickens. I am really keen to own about 3 chickens. However my husband says I can't have any because I wouldn't be able to kill them if injured or seriously sick. This is a shame as we have so much space for chickens and I thought they would be good company.
Welcome to BYC I've been keeping chickens for a few years now and in that time had probably about 300? I lost count! LOL We had to cull very, very few of them. The benefits of keeping chickens, laughing at their antics, enjoying their company and or course, those wonderful fresh eggs, far outweigh the negatives. I would definitely talk to hubby and put together the pros and cons and try and reach some agreement, starting with what to do if one needs to be put down or when things go wrong. How are you going to deal with it and what are you going to do? Chickens for me so far was 95% great, but things can and does happen.
Greetings from Kansas, pingy, and ! Pleased you joined us! I agree with Sumi. I've raised a lot of chickens and I can't think of a single one I've had to cull - even as a chick. That's not to say I've never had one die on me. The risk is low. Do you have a neighbor that could do the chore should it arise?
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan Sounds like hubby is trying to find a reason not to have them - maybe if you go to him game plan in place? I also have not had to cull an adult bird, although I have had some die, and have given some to others to do the deed.
Welcome from east central Indiana! Maybe if you got some great heritage breed ones from a great breeder there would be the potential for longer lives. From all I've read on here, their life spans can far exceed the hatchery stock. Sure would hate for you to not get the chance to be a chicken mom! It's too fun.
I think your husband said that because he knows it would fall on him - at the risk of sounding sexist, isn't that one of the chores men are supposed to do? You know like setting mousetraps and dumping the contents, fixing stuffed toilets and sinks, taking the trash out. My army tough father used to say we shouldn't get any more dogs because he couldn't 'take ' having any more old ones put down at the vet.