I have chicken anxiety?

[thecarmiearmy]

While it is perfectly ok to be sad at the loss of a pet for a while, and to want to do things to prevent any further losses, that level of anxiety (months later, feeling antsy and HAVING to check on them/spend a certain amount of time with them) does not sound exactly “normal”. Do you find you have anxiety issues in other areas of your life as well? Have you talked to your health care provider about this issue?
I also agree that providing a secure run for them and only letting them out to roam when it suits YOU may alleviate some of your anxiety.

I do have anxiety outside of this. And thankfully visit a therapist as well. I thought it was silly to bring this up with my therapist, but since it's affecting me so heavily I guess I should. Hopefully within this month we can build the secure run. We've got our hands full building a tiny house at the moment. But that run is first in line afterward!

 

[BGcoop]

I do have anxiety outside of this. And thankfully visit a therapist as well. I thought it was silly to bring this up with my therapist, but since it's affecting me so heavily I guess I should. Hopefully within this month we can build the secure run. We've got our hands full building a tiny house at the moment. But that run is first in line afterward!

Ok, good! Yes bring it up with your therapist, there is nothing too “silly” to discuss with them. That’s what they’re there for. Looking for your own solutions to help lessen your anxiety on your own is a good thing, but keep utilizing them as needed. Don’t toy with your mental health, too many people don’t take it seriously and there is no need for people to suffer needlessly.
Congratulations on building the tiny house! That’s awesome. Good luck on getting it all finished, building a tiny house is a BIG accomplishment!

 

[TwoCrows]

I do have anxiety outside of this. And thankfully visit a therapist as well. I thought it was silly to bring this up with my therapist, but since it's affecting me so heavily I guess I should. Hopefully within this month we can build the secure run. We've got our hands full building a tiny house at the moment. But that run is first in line afterward!

I wish you all the best with the therapy. Stress is debilitating, nobody should have to live with it.

 

[Barbschickencoop]

What I've noticed in myself, and in some others with anxiety issues, is when my anxiety is high I tend to obsess about things. And when bad things happen to my chickens, my anxieties worsen and I obsess about them. Sounds silly, but my chickens have taught me a lot about myself and my insecurities. In the beginning, I worried about EVERYTHING to the point I was so stressed that I considered abandoning the hobby altogether. In reality, what I was doing was judging/punishing myself because I failed to save the ones that passed. I still get anxious about them sometimes, but not nearly as bad. Try to appreciate the time you have with them, and remember that bad things will inevitably happen and sometimes there is nothing we can do about it. It took quite a few losses to feel the way I do now. I still get sad when they die (even cry), but I'm able to move on a lot more quickly. You'll harden up over time. I'm sorry for your loss.

I have the very same anxiety. We have a couple backyard hens and I’m constantly worried about them, checking on them, etc. I’ve treated their bumble foot, mites, sour crops, you name it. Through that caretaking I’ve become very attached. I absolutely have what most folks would consider an unhealthy attachment to them. But they’ve brought me so much joy too! I’m a high functioning adult but these chickens are my cryptomite lol. I’m so sorry for your loss. There’s no doubt your a wonderful momma to you flock. Just know you’re not alone!

 

[MamaChick20]

What I've noticed in myself, and in some others with anxiety issues, is when my anxiety is high I tend to obsess about things. And when bad things happen to my chickens, my anxieties worsen and I obsess about them. Sounds silly, but my chickens have taught me a lot about myself and my insecurities. In the beginning, I worried about EVERYTHING to the point I was so stressed that I considered abandoning the hobby altogether. In reality, what I was doing was judging/punishing myself because I failed to save the ones that passed. I still get anxious about them sometimes, but not nearly as bad. Try to appreciate the time you have with them, and remember that bad things will inevitably happen and sometimes there is nothing we can do about it. It took quite a few losses to feel the way I do now. I still get sad when they die (even cry), but I'm able to move on a lot more quickly. You'll harden up over time. I'm sorry for your loss.

I’m a new chicken mom of 4 chickens. This is my first ever time taking care of them and I have so much anxiety for them. I know that they’ll will be fine when I leave them alone and take extra care of them, but there’s this voice in the back of my mind that I should just quit now because I don’t have the full knowledge of taking care of them. It’s currently 2:30am and I can’t sleep because I keep think something might happen to them. Reading this comment really helped me reassure that everything is going okay and disasters happen all the time. Thank you

 

[Marigold3]

I've dubbed myself with something I like to call chicken anxiety. Now I'm not scared of chickens or anything like that. But I noticed something. Ever since Blacky (my prairie bluebell) passed away back in September, I've felt very nervous not spending a lot of time with my chickens. To the point where it's affecting my mental health (stress levels and nerves.) If I don't spend a certain amount of time with them daily, I get antsy, filled with anxiety and have to check on them.
I guess it makes sense, because Blacky passed away in my neighbor's yard. She flew over the fence and their dogs got her. But that's the thing, there's almost no chance of my other chickens flying the fence. Almost. They're aware of how Blacky passed and what happened, so they know not to. But my two hens are still very capable of flying the fence. I don't think they ever would, but... it stays in the back of my head. I'll ask myself, "Am I spending enough time with them?". I want to make sure I'm with them as much as possible before they pass. Blacky was a freak accident. There was no way for me to know that she'd randomly hop the fence.

I love my girls and rooster. I just don't know how to calm my nerves and let my chickens be chickens, and how to let me live my life without being constantly stressed. Has anyone else felt this before? Have you experienced this after a chicken passed away? I'd like to hear what you guys have to share. I just feel really alone in this.

I've dubbed myself with something I like to call chicken anxiety. Now I'm not scared of chickens or anything like that. But I noticed something. Ever since Blacky (my prairie bluebell) passed away back in September, I've felt very nervous not spending a lot of time with my chickens. To the point where it's affecting my mental health (stress levels and nerves.) If I don't spend a certain amount of time with them daily, I get antsy, filled with anxiety and have to check on them.
I guess it makes sense, because Blacky passed away in my neighbor's yard. She flew over the fence and their dogs got her. But that's the thing, there's almost no chance of my other chickens flying the fence. Almost. They're aware of how Blacky passed and what happened, so they know not to. But my two hens are still very capable of flying the fence. I don't think they ever would, but... it stays in the back of my head. I'll ask myself, "Am I spending enough time with them?". I want to make sure I'm with them as much as possible before they pass. Blacky was a freak accident. There was no way for me to know that she'd randomly hop the fence.

I love my girls and rooster. I just don't know how to calm my nerves and let my chickens be chickens, and how to let me live my life without being constantly stressed. Has anyone else felt this before? Have you experienced this after a chicken passed away? I'd like to hear what you guys have to share. I just feel really alone in this.

I know that my reply is late, but you can add angled fence extensions. Haven't tried it myself yet, but it might help you rest easier. I know how it feels to feel scared of losing your chickens. You wake up the next day and suddenly they're not there anymore. It was very traumatic for me actually, since I got them as pets and considered them to be like my own children. I have something similar as you, where I get scared of not spending enough time with the ones that are remaining. But I want you to know that you're doing the best you can, they are loved. Chickens, like most prey animals, always seem to constantly be at a minor level of anxiety, but that's just how they are, that's how they survive in the wild. You are a good chicken owner. If it is really affecting your mental health, then at the very least remember to eat, sleep properly, and take care of yourself. Sometimes that's all we really needed to relax. You can take care of yourself alongside of your chickens