Kids and Chickens

[ryan45022]

Hi guys, we're fairly new to the chicken world. Do you have any suggestions on which chores are good for the kids (11 and 8) and how to keep them on top of it? Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[muddy75]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[C Siena]

Greetings & Salutations. Welcome. A great place to learn and share knowledge.
For your children, do you have any pets and/or livestock, where the children assist?
How old are your chickens?

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Collecting eggs is always a fun chore. Feeding and watering must be monitored. If children are small/young, a flock rooster is not a good idea.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Ryan, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC, Ryan. Its hard to say, some children mature earlier than others. I'd monitor all activity until I was sure it was done correctly and safely, for the children, as well as the flock.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi guys, we're fairly new to the chicken world. Do you have any suggestions on which chores are good for the kids (11 and 8) and how to keep them on top of it? Any and all advice is appreciated!

Agree with the others. If there is a rooster, I would never leave the 8-yo out alone with the chickens. I would start with having them scatter a little scratch in the afternoon to be sure the hens are out of the coop and then gather eggs, but they should do this under direct supervision, meaning you are right out there with them. If there is a hen on the nest, don't have them poke around under her in case she is broody, she might growl and peck, putting them off chickens entirely - you do it.

 

[Bsmac]

Hello Ryan! Welcome to BYC!

 

[KRack]

My 10 year old gets the chicken water every morning, and my 10 and 8 year old go out together to gather eggs every evening. They have other chores with our other animals and around the house, so that’s where we’ve landed for now!

They know never to turn their back to our roosters, and have been pecked by a broody hen. It’s been a learning process but they’ve loved it all along the way!