I’m in 3 years, my original flock has slowed down/or died. So I’ve been replacing, it’s ok, I still love them, and learn something new almost every day
I’m disabled, used to have a professional solo position, was used to working at the top of my game every minute onstage..when I became disabled, I was in a very bad funk for a very long time trying hobby after hobby, (finding out that basically every physical activity hurts your neck..don’t mess yours up, and if you have bad neck genes also like me, my sympathies!) but researching, getting books and supplies, building a brooder, finding a carpenter to build the coop, getting chicks, watching them mature, and in the last three days seeing eggs for the first time ever, I have to say I’m very satisfied. We had some bad rain, for here the last week, when we are used to almost and sometimes single digit humidity I can see how bad weather could really make chicken keeping a drag. Luckily for us, it’s a passing thing. Music was something that possessed me since I was ten years old, and I understand the kind of commitment that has you work every single day for something. Ppl love to say “it’s not work if you love bla bla bla,” but sometimes yes, things do feel like work, (scraping poo comes to mind..) there’s no getting around it. The key is to balance any of that with spending rewarding time with them, appreciating them for what they are, interacting with them, learning, always learning about them. If you treat them like a chore, then a chore is what they’ll become. Mine never fail to make me laugh..they were all watching their sister behind a curtain in the laying boxes today, and I got this pic of one of my Cuckoo Marans, she was amazed too her sister laid three days in a row her very first time to lay!
edit..if all you do are the chores, then you don’t experience them jumping in your lap, snuggling their head against your arm or body, closing their eyes in pleasure at a head or neck rub, or seeing them make you laugh. At that point, all you have are chores..be sure to spend time with them!
that would keep me busy year round. When the dog was under control I got 6 hens.... I now have over 60 hens and 4 roo chickens, 13 hen turkeys and 6 toms, assorted youngsters. I sell eggs from both and don't need to buy poultry at the store.
