Misconceptions

[Linda in San Diego]

#1 - When I told folks that I was planning on getting chickens, I had a friend who lives behind me on the next street tell me how racoons got all of her girls. I told her they would be secure at night (and they are!)
#2 - A fellow teacher remarked that I must have a LARGE piece of land. I told her not really, they are out in the late afternoon to range but are quite content in the run during the day, DH and sons tend to bring them treats during the day.
#3 - Folks in the lunch room asked where they would stay at night. I told them they woud be very well behaved chickens just like my own kids and my students, and would put themselves to bed. (Absolutly the case!)
#4 - Chickens make a mess - now that I have them, I can absolulty say that is not the case. Now, I will qualify that - we have not done rainy days, but I am sure we can figure it out.
#5 - Most students in my classrooom have never seen an actual chicken. I am still working out how I will "share" my chickens with my students! LOL

What chicken misconceptions have you run across?

 

[moodusnewchick]

1. ?Have you ever smelled a chicken farm!? (my boss with total disgust on his face)

response: um probably, my mother did grow up next door to one, though i don't really remember. I've grown up in New England, I'm sure I've passed many a farm in my travels. I'm not running an overstocked chicken farm, I'm running a backyard. I currently have way more chickens than planned (over 30 instead of 3

), and it does not stink! I'm always on guard for stink too, I'm always asking people who visit if they smell anything since maybe i'm just used to it. NOTHING. To be honest, I've gotten a wiff in the last few days, so I'll clean soon. But the smell is nothing in comparison to what he was all disgusted about.

2. ?Have you raised chickens before? I have, it's not all it's cracked up to be. (negative nelson coworker)

response: no, it's my first time. So after five months into this, I LOVE IT! It's all it's cracked up to be and more!!! I spend so many relaxing hours with my chickens that I know my mind and body have noticeably calmed down. My only complaint right now is that I want to be only one bag of feed. I currently have chick feed, grower feed and broiler feed. Of course, as soon as chick or broiler feed is gone, you know i'll just get more chicks so i shouldn't even think that at some point i'll be down to everyone eating the same stuff!

and I agree with all OP's statements except #4. My chickens thoroughly enjoy being messy and destructive. I think it's fine too, they're happy and that's the point.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

My grandparents' house was across from a very small chicken farm. Mr. Mann's in La Mesa, CA. My mom grew up there and as a small child I remember going over and "lurking". There was a wet cement smell. and another earthier smell. But nothing like the chicken "farms" I drive by in the back country around here.
Later, here in the community I grew up in, and where duplexes now reside - you could drive up and on the honor system, pay for the eggs you took. No smell there either.
Now, Miller's Ranch was another story. Of course you could smell the cows! Where else did the millk come from? All over our little community we could occasionally "smell the dairy". But that was so normal....

 

[newchickenfamily]

So far, not too much negativity... I've had a few people talk about the smell. My chickens smell 10 times better than my 2 dogs and what they leave on the back lawn. I'd rather clean the chicken coop than pick up dog poo any day!

There is a big "underground" chicken movement here in my little area. We are city-slickers but have found that there are LOTS of families near us that have chickens or plan to get them. So mostly, I get lots of interested people when I mention that we have them.

 

[SandraMort]

OK, I'll confess to one of mine.

I have plenty of background in biology, but I had a moment of shock when I saw the blood in the photos of processing. Somehow I had forgotten that blood is red! I kept thinking "chicken meat is white, therefore chicken blood must be clear".

 

[Weasleymum]

Quote:
That's really funny!

 

[chickabone]

Hey Linda I'm moving to Vista, just north of you, in 2 months and wanted to start up with chickens again out there but was thinking that it might be tricky in a more urban-ish type of community like SoCal. Have you had any problems or did you need a permit or something? Or are you lucky and own a few acres out there? Do they have any restrictions by you?

 

[miss_jayne]

here's the one i hear all the time...


Chickens poop everywhere, on everything.

not so. they poop only where they can get to. it's not hard to clean up after them either.

i love raising chickens and the poop isn't nearly as bad as the dogs!

 

[thechickenchick]

The one I heard the most was... You won't want to eat those eggs. Chicken eggs are always poopy!

Ok first of all the eggs you buy from the stores are chicken eggs! Those eggs come out of chicken patooties too!

Second I have only had maybe 3 eggs that actually had to be washed. As long as the bedding is kept clean you won't have poopy eggs!

I have a feeeling as soon as she sees my pretty green eggs she will want some!

 

[carwinew]

Big Misconception:
How can you have eggs if you don't have a rooster?