Official BYC Poll: How Long Have You Been Keeping Chickens?

[Outta Here]

I first got chickens and ducks of my own when I was 6 years old had them until I was 16 . had none for 4 years . Got married when I was 20 and got chickens and ducks once more , had them ever since so I have been married 45 years this year . My parents had chickens on the farm 6 months after I was borne . I just claim 55 years that's close enough .

Love to hear of other long marriages--Congrats!...My husband and I met at 16 and married at 19. We celebrated our 47th yesterday!

 

[The chicken nurd]

I have been keeping chickens since spring 2010 so about 11 years
I got my first four chicks from a feed store near my house and the last one of them past last summer when she 10
The photo is her and my Easter egger when she was about 8 or 9

 

[MysteryChicken]

How cute they are !

Thanks.
They're 6yrs old. Oldest chickens we have. The girl in the first picture is still laying eggs, & is broody. The second girl is done laying eggs, & acts super old. So I believe this year is gonna be her last. She's really slowing down.

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Started with chickens Aug 1,2009 still have my first RoosterView attachment 2791269

Wow

What breed is he?

 

[HappyClucker7]

Started with chickens Aug 1,2009 still have my first RoosterView attachment 2791269

Wow, he's gorgeous! What breed is he?

 

[Outta Here]

I also had chickens as a child back in the 1950's and 60's at my family home. I have kept chickens, most years, since about 1976 on my own. I skipped about four years for health reasons, recently and just returned to keeping chickens. I missed them!

1976 is when I got my first, too! In those 45 years, I did have 8 chicken-less years after we moved to the desert and I was worried I could never keep them with the ever-present coyotes. But so far, so good--with my trusty German Shepherd guarding!

 

[MysteryChicken]

About 9-10 years, & still have 2 hens from 6 years ago.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Since 1989, so 32 years.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I got my first chicks in 2011. Last year, I went a few months without any, but in September I got some new ones.

 

[Araucana Nest]

My dad had Silkies when I was growing up. They must have been super rare back then... 70s. But my adult journey began when I brought peeps home from the feed store in 2001. Didn't even know what breed they were. Turned out a couple were Cornish Rock X and died of heart attacks and broken legs (that's how I learned what they were). The rest were layers, Production Reds I think, and put my feet firmly on the chickenhood road.