Not sure if i made the right choice.

[chooky]

I have wanted chickens for ages.

And now i have them...

Sigh. I am surprised at myself for my reaction. They kind of gross me out. Not the chickens as such (though i can't bring myself to hold one), but the thought of the vermin they will no doubt attract.
We live on a regular size suburban block. I think i would feel very differently if i could keep them in an area totally separate from where my kids play. The kids never stop to put shoes on and i'm worried they'll catch something from the chicken poop.

our (messy) yard. This photo is very deceptive, it's actually quite a long area, it looks very small in this pic.

meh... i think i'm feeling glum because i haven't seen any eggs yet (i'm very impatient)

 

[Camelot Farms]

We live on a small farm in rural VA. we have horses, goats, chickens galore and ducks. One thing I dont have is vermin. I keep my feed in a vermin proof shed and I have no problems.
DD is 8 and hates to wear shoes. She runs through muck and mud pretty much on a daily basis. I have been known to clean the coops in flip flops and occasionally, I come in to find a chicken in my house courtesy of DD or DH. Not long ago, I found DH's favorite bantam roo eating at my kitchen table cause DH brought him in for a visit.

So far.... no one has gotten any sort of disease.

Take a deep breath and learn to enjoy your chickens.... you'll be glad that you did.

 

[b.hromada]

Quote:

 

[chooky]

ahh yes! We've had one chook come in the house twice now! They are getting cheekier as each day goes by.

 

[mrkpero]

I think it is great that you say they gross you out! At least you are honest! Can you make the chickens a run just for them that the kids can't get in? Don't feel bad-if having chickens isn't for you there is no shame in that. Sometimes things are a good idea in theory. I bet there are a lot of people (on this site alone!) that would be willing to take them. You didn't state how long you've had them-maybe you just need to get used to them. Whatever you decide will be the right choice for you! Good luck!

 

[redhen]

If they gross you out...give them away. pretty simple plan, really...

Do you live by me??

 

[gritsar]

Quote:

IMHO, the kids with the best immune systems and are generally the healthiest are the ones that are running through the muck, kissing the dogs and hugging the chickens. Keep em in a bubble and they'll come down with every little thing. A strong immune system is built by being exposed to the yuckiest things.

 

[rancher hicks]

If you don't enjoy them let them go. Better for them and you. Sorry

 

[Goose and Fig]

Quote:

IMHO, the kids with the best immune systems and are generally the healthiest are the ones that are running through the muck, kissing the dogs and hugging the chickens. Keep em in a bubble and they'll come down with every little thing. A strong immune system is built by being exposed to the yuckiest things.

Right on! And don't think of chicken poop as poop- it's fertilizer!
We live in the deep woods. When we first moved here the bugs were intolerable. The chickens do an excellent job of keeping down the biting bugs, and the ones that destroy my garden.
Give them some more time- they'll grow on you, especially after you start getting eggs!

 

[fordmommy]

Quote:

IMHO, the kids with the best immune systems and are generally the healthiest are the ones that are running through the muck, kissing the dogs and hugging the chickens. Keep em in a bubble and they'll come down with every little thing. A strong immune system is built by being exposed to the yuckiest things.

Right on! And don't think of chicken poop as poop- it's fertilizer!
We live in the deep woods. When we first moved here the bugs were intolerable. The chickens do an excellent job of keeping down the biting bugs, and the ones that destroy my garden.
Give them some more time- they'll grow on you, especially after you start getting eggs!

Yep. Yep. Yep. You've got wild birds pooing in your yard too all the time and don't know it.

And I don't have "verman" here either.