Official BYC Poll: Why Do You Have Chickens - Select All That Apply

[Nifty-Chicken]

I was speaking with a reporter today and he asked why people raise chickens. I'm hoping with this poll that we can get an idea of the % of people that raise chickens for different purposes.

Please select all that apply!

Thanks!

 

[fowltemptress]

Therapy. For the short time I went without chickens my anxiety was worse than it ever was. They give me something to care for, something to hold with nice soft feathers to hide my face in when I can't look at the world, and something to watch which is so much more relaxing than anything else I can think of. I suppose most people have dogs and cats for that purpose, and I do have dogs, but in my case it's the birds that help me the most. That's in addition to the other things I marked on the poll, but for me the therapy is the biggest thing.

 

[anngili]

I also got the chickens for my dog as well. She's a Border Collie trained to herd sheep but she's gotten too old (eyes, ears, and back all degenerating) for safely herding sheep, so... . Also, I can blame some of it on my Dad and stepmother, who have had backyard chickens for a while.
The dog and I are both quite happy to watch the chickens for quite a while. However, I always have to go work on something; my dog thinks watching the chickens is her work and she loves every minute of it! She LOVES her chickens!!

 

[eastbaychicks]

I love to cook and it's the secret ingredient in my creme brulee, eggs benedict and other egg dishes.

Also because I love to be in my backyard to relax. It's just one more thing to 'do' while I'm out there.

 

[chick4chix]

I love to cook...I love to garden...I love colorful birds...
Chickens are the perfect pet- they are beautiful to look at, relaxing and funny to watch, fun to feed and observe their antics. They add bountiful fertilizer to the garden, they add delicious eggs to the table, they are living garden art, they eat our kitchen scraps. What's not to love? OH- and they don't go on barking or meowing escapades at 2 in the morning.

 

[TheChickenShrink]

For precisely ALL those reasons, plus the fact that I've realized that they are for me the best natural antidepressor in existence. Chicken zootherapy is the best!!!

When I've had a hard day at the office, there is nothing like coming home, taking a cold beer from the fridge and chilling with my chicken. Their entertainment value is way underrated! Of course, we BYCers all know that...

 

[weaveagarden]

When I started raising chickens again it was because I had before and have missed it terribly. But since starting again, it has also filled some of my spiritual, emotional and physical needs as well.

I have been going through a lot of things since being diagnosed with a pretty debilitating disease. Depression and inability to do anything really strenuous are factors with it that have been difficult.

I am finding that the chickens are really good therapy for me. I talk to them and they even answer. I watch their antics throughout the day, every day! And the level of work required of me is just right. I can do things for them a little bit at a time. My family and friends have all remarked at how happy I am lately. (They haven't seen that in me for about 7 years)

I also find a spiritual calm in my chickens. For me, finding a way to find meaning in life is important. With chickens I see the full circle of life.... Birth do death. As well as answering questions that I have personally about our responsibility to the beings that are our food.

I couldn't have found a better fit than chickens. They are so much more than merely a pet, or a source of eggs and meat. Thank the heavens for them, I do!

 

[HippieChickens]

They're beautiful and interesting birds.

 

[brooster]

You should add showing/exhibition

 

[Peaguy]

30 mins - 3 hours with my current reading material while sitting in the run with the birds, doesn't add up to getting much reading done but it is definately far better for my blood pressure than the meds all of the doctors have tried so far!My sphygmomonometer(sp? (blood pressure monitor)) has proven it!