Is it really so silly to love my chickens? It can't be just me!

[Ganjaroo]

Sometimes I feel like an idiot as opposed to REAL farmers and/or chicken keepers who always say, "Cull!" "Have him for dinner!" Or even the well founded advice to re-home a cranky rooster!
Truth be told, I'm too much of a wuss to do any of it. After raising these birds from chicks, they have become beloved pets, with the extra bonus of fresh eggs. I spoil them rotten, and I love them dearly!! They make me laugh everyday and I can't imagine getting rid of or (gasp!) having them become a Sunday feast.
That said, I am now faced with re-homing my roo unless he straightens up and flies right. ..so to speak. He has taken to attacking me after 2 years of being a loving, funny and friendly roo, and I am just devastated! ..and my leg hurts. lol. I WILL do what I must, I mean, I am certainly not crazy enough to keep a bird who wants to kill me, but still, ..I am hoping he will snap out of this. However, from what I have read here from people far more experienced than I, this is highly unlikely.

Any ideas to put him back in his place would be greatly appreciated though! I still have hope, as this only started happening today. ( See my last post if you're interested!)

Anyway, yes, I'm sure it's true that I have no business having chickens if I can't handle all that goes with it, but, that ship has sailed and here they are.. my feathered family. lol. My friends think I'm nuts as well, due to the fact that I keep chickens illegally, ..but I don't care. My neighbors are (thankfully) cool with it, I love my chickens, and I thought this would be the best place to admit this fact.

Thanks to anyone who listened to this drivel.

I just felt like expressing some love for these delightful creatures! Well, ok, so my rooster isn't all that delightful as of late,

..but you know what I mean.

 

[Y N dottes]

there are many people who feel as you do. especially those who just own backyard chickens or have a small scale farm. I personally find myself in between, but I think it is almost impossible to feel kindly towards your chickens.

there is still some hope with your roo
read this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/dealing-with-roosters-roo-behavior
hopefully this helps

 

[lularat]

I know exactly how you feel. I have always wanted chickens, so a little over a year ago, I got 6 chicks. I had no idea that they would become pets, but I have grown to love these girls. The eggs are an added benefit. There are people who think I am weird to love and spoil them as I do, but I really don't care. You will find many people here that feel as we do. I hope that your rooster calms down and you don't have to rehome him.

 

[Adair Peeps]

I never had a desire to have chickens. Never.

My married daughter had a few too many chickens and we let our 12yo daughter bring some home. They were 4-5 weeks old at the time. Fast forward six weeks ... I talk about our chickens all the time. I've turned into the crazy chicken lady.

Good luck with your rooster!

 

[Pinkaboo]

Sometimes I feel like an idiot as opposed to REAL farmers and/or chicken keepers who always say, "Cull!"  "Have him for dinner!" Or even the well founded advice to re-home a cranky rooster!
 Truth be told, I'm too much of a wuss to do any of it. After raising these birds from chicks, they have become beloved pets, with the extra bonus of fresh eggs. I spoil them rotten, and I love them dearly!! They make me laugh everyday and I can't imagine getting rid of or (gasp!) having them become a Sunday feast.
That said, I am now faced with re-homing my roo unless he straightens up and flies right. ..so to speak. He has taken to attacking me after 2 years of being a loving, funny and friendly roo, and I am just devastated! ..and my leg hurts. lol.  I WILL do what I must, I mean, I am certainly not crazy enough to keep a bird who wants to kill me, but still, ..I am hoping he will snap out of this. However, from what I have read here from people far more experienced than I, this is highly unlikely.   Any ideas to put him back in his place would be greatly appreciated though! I still have hope, as this only started happening today. ( See my last post if you're interested!)

 Anyway, yes, I'm sure it's true that I have no business having chickens if I can't handle all that goes with it, but, that ship has sailed and here they are.. my feathered family. lol. My friends think I'm nuts as well, due to the fact that I keep chickens illegally, ..but I don't care. My neighbors are (thankfully) cool with it, I love my chickens, and I thought this would be the best place to admit this fact.
 Thanks to anyone who listened to this drivel.  I  just felt like expressing some love for these delightful creatures! Well, ok, so my rooster isn't all that delightful as of late, ..but you know what I mean.

I get a lot of stick too from the local farmers and friends, I think they only visit to laugh at me, and usually despair! I love my chickens tooooooo,
I'm an animal person, not a farmer and not good with coping with death , culling etc
I wanted a dog but with four cats( one just temp I hope) and ill health mupy husband won't have it
Funnily whenever I mentioned keeping chickens he was dead against it, then on day HE decided keeping chickens would be good! He came home with 6 bog standard cuckoo Marans and I've been very happy ever since, not with him but with my chickens
It's given me a purpose, a reason to get up in a morning, a routine and lots of fun

 

[Ganjaroo]

Thanks all, I'm very happy to know I am not alone! I am, and always have been an animal lover, to the point of being ridiculous really. The notion of raising chickens for food is just appalling to me. ..except for the eggs, of course.

As for my beloved rooster, well, ..it's not looking so good for him. I will give it a few days and see if he improves with a few other techniques I've read about here, but after reading the very informative advice on my previous rooster post, I'm thinking I may have to face the fact that he must go. I've been crying my eyes out like a fool at the thought of it! I have become so attached to this sassy and funny bird.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted. Thanks again to all for the advice, the funny 'chicken love' stories, and especially for the good thoughts about my roo! xo

 

[Michael OShay]

I have become very utilitarian over the years and currently only raise breeds that are good layers, and whenever the hens stop laying we do eat them (and have done so ever since we have raised chickens). Yet even so, there have been occasional individuals in the flock that I have come to love and chose to let die of old age.

 

[lovetopaint]

I've heard that if they go towards you, you're supposed to walk steadily towards them and back them up for a few minutes each day. Also, I've heard cuddling them works.

 

[Pinkaboo]

I've heard that if they go towards you, you're supposed to walk steadily towards them and back them up for a few minutes each day.  Also, I've heard cuddling them works.

They always run to me when I come into the run, I sit on the chair and cuddles jumps straight up, rubs his head against my face then settles his head on my shoulder, then little cockerel will jump up, sometimes buster the big cockerel and occasionally a hen, I just hope they all stay as friendly, I'm just socialising my knew chicks, but with 11 its gp hard to make sure they all get handled a few times a day

 

[lovetopaint]

I mean like aggressive charging, not coming up to snuggle with you. I love it when they do that!