Official BYC Poll: Which aspect of keeping chickens do you enjoy the most?

[thepick4uchicks]

My 5 chickens are pets. I love the fresh, colorful eggs, and enjoy being around them and watching them go about their daily lives. What do I enjoy most about them? I couldn't give a definite answer, but...probably interacting with them and listening to their many noises (though the egg-song can get irritating after awhile).

I am a first timer with 9 12 week olds. I don’t know too much about the egg-song as far as hearing it due to a first hand experience. My friends chickens do it plenty but not in my presence too much where I could have nailed it down perfectly 100%. I have Orpingtons, Swedish Flower hens, and Creme Legbars so mine will have to still marinate a while yet before I will get to hear this lovely melody you speak of. I have to say that no matter when I hear it that this lovely sound will be music to my ears at the wind down of 2020 and probably wrap up the year as a great Christmas present as long as every other thing that it entails and remains to be seen comes out well, healthy, happy, and has golden, tasty, properly formed and fortified yolks! Lol

 

[HomesteaderWife]

They're just so fun to watch and interact with. I love clicker training them! They're older girls and don't lay often, so they are mainly just little feathered friends

 

[2 many chickens]

They're fun little guys with quirky personalities. Each of them has distinctive traits, not one is the same. I enjoy having them around, they give me lots of laughs. For example, my rooster was running out of a storm the other day and slipped. He went down like a drunken figure skater but hopped right up. How can you not love that? He's great.

 

[RumneyRoost]

It makes me smile every time I come out on the deck, or around the corner of house to see the girls running towards me. Like a bunch of old ladies running with their purses.

And years later I still get excited when I look in the nest box and find an egg.

 

[NanaKat]

Other: canning both broth and meat. Ready to heat and eat.

 

[Kiki]

Lots of reasons why I have chickens, but the main one isn’t on the list - nostalgia. My favorite aspect of keeping chickens is how they transport me back to a happy time and place, to a wonderful childhood I am now trying to recreate for my own kids. Chickens were a big part of that. A small sampling of farm life in the city.

I added this as an option.

 

[Kiki]

Other: canning both broth and meat. Ready to heat and eat.

Hi Nan! I added it for you.

 

[K0k0shka]

I added this as an option.

Oh! Cool, thanks

 

[Diesel69er]

I originally got three eight week old pullets a few months back for the sustainability aspect of it.
As they got bigger and we still have them plus five more, now nine weeks old chicks, I will have to say it’s for the entertainment value and the distraction of the ugly world around us!!
We enjoy them all so much with their different personalities...I could cancel my cable subscription and stay out back and watch them all day!!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

I got my chickens after not having dogs for a few years and really missing having a higher-maintenance pet. My cats are just way too easy! I couldn't commit to a dog at this point-- maybe in a few years I'll be ready-- so I got a bunch of Bantams July 2019. This Spring I got a bunch of Large fowl chicks. I am totally obsessed now and they all have more than exceeded expectations! They are sooooo fun, sweet, interesting, and friendly. They are amazing soil-builders! Oh and eggs! Everyone is excited about the eggs. I remind the chickens I'm totally okay with them not laying--so not to overtax themselves! They really are a very satisfying family addition! I appreciate this website and the kind people on BYC who have helped me become a better chicken keeper. When I talk about the chickens to my other "city friends," I tell them how a chicken is so friendly and interactive, they make eggs and compost.... you could literally have hundreds of chickens for the price of an expensive parrot! I choose the chickens!