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

[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.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I've had birds my whole life. My very 1st chicken fell off of one of those trucks headed for the slaughter house. I kept the white chicken in my garage, I was 8 yrs old & named her Fluff. She was so sweet, put up with me giving her a bath, drying her off, even sitting on my lap to be fussed over and hugged. She was very active and even played roll the ball with me. Her favorite game was find the crickets of course. Unfortunately, a month later, instead of laying eggs, SHE turned out to be a HE & began crowing. In that neighborhood that was a big No No, so we found Mr. Fluff a farm home. Many decades later, I moved to a place with the proper zoning, where I could finally have chickens! I'd wanted chickens for a long, long time, so this was wonderful & very exciting! My dad & I built a coop together & I cherish those memories, because we didn't know at that time it would be the last thing he'd build. Those beloved chickens & my pigeons kept me grounded during a difficult time, during my father's illness. They've given me unconditional love & affection, wanting to sit on my lap or be fussed over & hugged. They've made smile & laugh every single day. During a time of grief & then pandemic, they've been my constant, my best friends. During Covid19 shut down, their eggs became a source of income, allowing me to buy food, who could've thought a fun hobby could sustain us?Pandemic also gave me time to hatch 10 eggs, what precious little fuzz puffs! I love them so much still! I started with 2 Barred Rocks & have had up to 40, a mix of RIR, Wyandottes, Buff Orpingtons, Ameracaunas, Comet & Red Star, White Rock, a few rescued mixes, one sweetheart looks like Buff Delaware. All have names, some were older rescues, they will all live good lives & die of old age. I've only had chickens for about 7 yrs, but I can't imagine my life without them. ❤

 

[Joe Wooten]

This time about 15 months. Back 47 years ago, I was the main chicken keeper/breeder for my family's flock for about 10 years starting when I was 8

 

[swampfox440]

Congratulations on your long marriage! It's always wonderful and inspiring to see!

Thank you so much .

 

[Outta Here]

45 years ago, I got my first chickens and goats in 1976, when my son had just learned to walk. There were hundreds of chickens roosting in a giant barn and free ranging. One hot day I spent a frustrating, exhausting hour chasing down 12 to put in a cage for a buyer, then went to get a cool drink. My toddler opened the cage and let them all out! He's 45 now with three teen-agers, and I'm a great-grandma with 15 chickens!

 

[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!

 

[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

 

[electrycmonk]

Keeping chickens is not only fun and easy but extremely beneficial! Chickens can be an amazing resource for food and entertainment, and keeping chickens is an effective step towards self-sufficiency.

So: How Long Have You Been Keeping Chickens?

Please place your vote above, and elaborate in a reply below if you used to keep chickens but no longer do.

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Further Reading:

• How To Raise Chickens
• Why Chickens? 10 Quick Facts On the Benefits of Raising Chickens
• The Pros and Cons of Raising Chickens

(Check out more Official BYC Polls HERE!)

specifically 2.5 years at this point......
spent 2-3 years in preperations before hand.....

 

[MysteryChicken]

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