How many chickens would you need to keep to supply all the meat and eggs your family eats?

[jolenesdad]

It’s just the not wanting to take anyone else viewpoint and this line from the first post....

“My view, the claims about providing for the family and not supporting the meat industry are self righteous delusional nonsense....unless of course you have 500 chickens.”


to tell someone who has, say, any amount of chickens, to feed their family that it’s delusional to think they’re making a difference is just not true. Change starts small.

Sorry if I sound a little snippy.... I’m just trying to discuss.

 

[FortCluck]

It’s just the not wanting to take anyone else viewpoint and this line from the first post....

“My view, the claims about providing for the family and not supporting the meat industry are self righteous delusional nonsense....unless of course you have 500 chickens.”


to tell someone who has, say, any amount of chickens, to feed their family that it’s delusional to think they’re making a difference is just not true. Change starts small.

I agree with you on this. any change that this world is going to make is going to have to be small and work their way to the big. You can't just instantly make a change in this world because it will not work!

I know there are several claims saying that everybody should go vegan, I do not agree with it. There are certain diets out there that work for a certain people and not everyone can go on the same type of diet. What I eat, will not work for some members of my family...

I do believe that people who raise meat chickens are making a huge difference and that difference isn't just with the meat production companies. They are making a difference in their families health because the meat that you are eating from the grocery store is being supplied by someone you don't even know. You may think you know what their chickens are eating, but you do not completely know what is going into these chickens.

I think the best words that have ever come out of my teenage son's mouth was "Mom, can you raise our family some meat chickens because I don't want to have to rely on someone else to give me food. I trust the food you put into my mouth." The day my kid said that was the day I took fertile eggs from my coop and put them into an incubator.

 

[FortCluck]

Sorry if I sound a little snippy.... I’m just trying to discuss.

You aren't being snippy, people might read it the wrong way because you know how words don't express what we are really trying to say... You are expressing how you feel and I think a lot of us will accept what you said for what it is and not try to read between the lines.

 

[NHMountainMan]

What person is ONLY going to eat chicken meat for their protein? I’m not following where that is necessary. Is it just a part of the equation you’re trying to figure out? A varied diet is key to health.

I can’t imagine someone who is trying to reduce their footprint or their reliance on corporate farming isn’t also going to eat eggs or ANY other protein source.

I’m just not following the purpose of the thread anymore.


why are you making assumptions yourself that your 10 chickens is in any way near my 100 chickens for meat a year?

why does a small contribution NOT matter, even from those doing 10 chickens?

to be honest, it seems a little self righteous that you want to tell someone the only way they CAN make a difference is to have 500 chickens for meat a year. That’s utter nonsense.

the exploration seemed to stem from comments that people believe they are making a difference in the things they are doing, and you thinking they are not. If I’m not currently buying chicken from the store, how exactly am I not making a difference?

I disagree with a lot here. First, it is absolutely possible to make a difference In ones reliance on corporate farming with far less than what you are assuming. If you want concrete examples of that, I’m happy to come up with them.

secondly, to judge someones efforts, however small, is a complete waste of energy. Food, our food system, our relationship with animals, providing for oneself and/or family.... these are DEEP, multi-faceted issues that trickle down into so many facets of life and others lives. Small changes yield vast rewards in so many other areas of life, it’s just not as black and white as you’re trying to see it.

I don't see where he required 500 chickens to make a difference in the industrial chicken market. The OP was providing a calculation of chickens required to meet dietary protein needs. The thread sometimes mixed into the commercial marketplace, but I, for one, see only a debate on chicken "math" and nothing self righteous.

 

[Shadrach]

What person is ONLY going to eat chicken meat for their protein? I’m not following where that is necessary. Is it just a part of the equation you’re trying to figure out? A varied diet is key to health.

I can’t imagine someone who is trying to reduce their footprint or their reliance on corporate farming isn’t also going to eat eggs or ANY other protein source.

I’m just not following the purpose of the thread anymore.


why are you making assumptions yourself that your 10 chickens is in any way near my 100 chickens for meat a year?

why does a small contribution NOT matter, even from those doing 10 chickens?

to be honest, it seems a little self righteous that you want to tell someone the only way they CAN make a difference is to have 500 chickens for meat a year. That’s utter nonsense.

the exploration seemed to stem from comments that people believe they are making a difference in the things they are doing, and you thinking they are not. If I’m not currently buying chicken from the store, how exactly am I not making a difference?

I disagree with a lot here. First, it is absolutely possible to make a difference In ones reliance on corporate farming with far less than what you are assuming. If you want concrete examples of that, I’m happy to come up with them.

secondly, to judge someones efforts, however small, is a complete waste of energy. Food, our food system, our relationship with animals, providing for oneself and/or family.... these are DEEP, multi-faceted issues that trickle down into so many facets of life and others lives. Small changes yield vast rewards in so many other areas of life, it’s just not as black and white as you’re trying to see it.

I tell you what. Read the thread title and then if you have a specific point to make, particularly where you think I mean something other than what I've written then I'll try to respond to them.

 

[FortCluck]

This is based off of a family eating entirely eggs and chicken. I know mine eat other meat sources... Deer, duck, quail, pork. All hunted or raised by my family. We are self sufficient that's for sure!

 

[Mimi13]

It’s just the not wanting to take anyone else viewpoint and this line from the first post....

“My view, the claims about providing for the family and not supporting the meat industry are self righteous delusional nonsense....unless of course you have 500 chickens.”


to tell someone who has, say, any amount of chickens, to feed their family that it’s delusional to think they’re making a difference is just not true. Change starts small.

I do see what you are saying, I really do. However, I also see what @Shadrach is saying as well.

I guess I’m to the age now of just enjoying the conversation, not the arguing. But I’ll keep reading it all because I’m still learning.

 

[FortCluck]

I do see what you are saying, I really do. However, I also see what @Shadrach is saying as well.

I guess I’m to the age now of just enjoying the conversation, not the arguing. But I’ll keep reading it all because I’m still learning.

I love BYC because you have so many different opinions that all come together in a sort of messed up sort of way. We might not all agree, but we all agree to disagree. I like reading what others have to say because every time I read the opinions of others it gives me more knowledge.

 

[Mimi13]

You aren't being snippy, people might read it the wrong way because you know how words don't express what we are really trying to say... You are expressing how you feel and I think a lot of us will accept what you said for what it is and not try to read between the lines.

This is true, but from both sides I believe. However, this kind of thing happens with most every thread that’s worth reading. IMHO

 

[Mimi13]

This is based off of a family eating entirely eggs and chicken. I know mine eat other meat sources... Deer, duck, quail, pork. All hunted or raised by my family. We are self sufficient that's for sure!

This is very true. Every family eats other protein.