Looking for those first time "pet" chicken owner

[chicamama]

<------- Pet owner.

I have hens. Love them (although lately, the have been naughty and staying out too late.) I would LOVE a roo, but I admit if one got mean I would wimp out and run for the hills, so I better not get one.

I will say the people here have an answer for ANY question so BOOKMARK this site.
Waiting on that first egg and then the real fun will start.

 

[robinaggie]

Backyard Buddies - that picture is too cute!

 

[Drews Ma]

We are as well. We've had our babies since March 22. I asked my husband if he was out of his mind when he said that he wanted chickens. Now I am addicted to them.

We would not eat them! Hubby purchased 6 "pullets" and 4 turned out to be boys, so we are currently looking for a good home for them. We live in a neighborhood, so no roos.

 

[JennsPeeps]

I'd wanted chickens for a long time and finally got three pullets (females) this spring. Yesterday I found an 8-week old Bantam Black Cochin on Craigslist. My boyfriend nearly laid an egg himself when he found out I'd committed to a 4th hen. We dorve out to get her & it turns out she's a breeder's reject: she has a twisted beak. But, she's thriving and healthy, so what the heck?

Now I'm trying to learn all about bantams and cochins. They're SO different from my other 3 birds (month old). She's very friendly and a little feisty, which is good.

To answer your question, the very fact that I've posted over 100 postings on BYC means I'm a convert. Love me, love my chickens!

 

[chickenannie]

Shakecc, the only thing about this website is that it tells you TOO much when you're starting out! Just enjoy your pet chickens -- they're great pets and no harder to take care of than a dog or cat. Personally, I would be intimidated reading all of these posts if I had just gotten some chickies for the first time! I'm sure you'll be fine!

 

[tiki244]

I started out getting chickens for eggs, then I got too many, then, I tyried to eat one, not ever again, now I have to weed them out and keep only my favorites for pets.

Thats kinda hard cause I like them all.

Banty cochins ARE funny little birds,kind of watch dog like and yet gentle. Love my cochys

but they hardly ever lay eggs for me.

 

[seminolewind]

I couldn't eat a chicken I've met either. Mine are pets. I rehomed a bunch of cockerels. They told me they were pets, (different homes). That's good enough for me.

 

[simba49450]

hi there,
this is my second flock and im still learning myself. all of my chickens are pets. when i was little i wanted chickens and i knew then that they would be pets with a egg bonus. my babies right now are 12 weeks old. i have 3 buff orp girls getting a roo next spring. people cull for many reasons but if you determine how many eggs that you want to set and your in control no problems. the only time that i will ever cull is if there is something majorly wrong with it. sickly or whatever if it can be fixed or the chicken looks a little diff i don't care. i believe they all have a right to live. if you have any other questions pm me or e-mail. thanks

sabrina

 

[newchickenfamily]

We've had our 3 pet chicks for 8 weeks now. Got them as little fluffy butts. I really wanted to have them as pets to help us eat leftovers, compost the poop and of course have eggs!! Hubby was AGAINST it, but has since come around.

Our 3 turned out to be pullets (whew!!) and so far so good! They've been out in their coop for about 3-4 weeks now. I was a NERVOUS wreck when they moved out of the garage and into their coop!! I adore them, as do my kids. They are so fun to watch!! We've just started letting them out of their run to explore the yard for short stretches.

Hope all goes well with your new feathered friends!

 

[Mahonri]

I had chickens from the time I was born until I turned 18. Back then they were work to me, but I did enjoy the eggs and the little chicks.

And so now I'm way older, live in the city and going through my mid life crisis I suppose. I just thought my kids shouldn't have to miss out on raising chickens because I have to live in the city.

We have 19 and it looks like 3 or 4 are roos... 1 for certain and the jury is still out on the others. As soon as I hear crowing, they'll be history and I've fed them well so I'm certain they'll be delicious.

They were 10 weeks old yesterday and they are beautiful.

Each Saturday AM the coop gets swept and mopped.... I'm looking for some more sand for the run.

Can't wait until the end of September when we get our first egg!