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

[Eggs4Sale]

I put eggs, meat, pets, fertilizer, and pest control, but I also put 'other'. The 'other' is that they are fun to watch!

 

[zillzill401]

does alarm clock count?

 

[MOMS CHICKS]

We got chicks for my sons 4-H chick project. It has turned into much more than 4-H. Now he has a show to go to with some of them and the whole family loves them. We have been told they are not chickens becouse they are not afarid of us and like to be held. What fun they are!

 

[Sanguine]

I appreciated some of the members "other" reasons for raising chickens. I also find them an antidote to sadness--They are like Victorian ladies in petticoats, flying and dashing about.

I love their very individual personalities: Annie who flew to the top of my Ponderosa pine--20 feet up--for much of her first winter. Her sisters who after one gentle push with my broom never, ever flew over the short wall of their yard. The courage of Simone in fighting a predator so her sisters survived.

My Aracauna are also just plain beautiful; I don't clip their wings and they are awesome. I only wish that all chickens were treated humanely, as I have no doubt of their being individual characters!

 

[lifein1840]

I checked "other" because they are so relaxing to watch. I sit on my back porch and eat most of my meals while I watch the chickens. I even fold clothes, do mending, card wool, spin, what ever I can do outside, I do while I watch my girls.

 

[<3<3 I <3 Chickens <3<3]

 

[chickenmeadow]

The "other reason/s": Why do you own chickens? That's my hubby's question too! I know he secretly likes them also, but he's afraid that I may get carried away as I did back in the 1980's when there were 90. But, so far my stated plan has been a small flock of 12 bantams. Although......., I did give him one of my chickies (he's not claiming it though) & that would make a flock of 13. May have to give him some more someday, cause I'm really liking these Faverolles.

Just started up another flock this year because I really missed hearing the rooster/s in the morning & later in the day. It reminds me to greet the day "full on" & give it my best; life is worth living & there's so much to discover out there. There is something calming about hearing the hens cluck too. Besides, everytime I go into their yard, they all greet me with such enthusiasm & follow me around. Ok, maybe it could be for the food & treats, but, where else can you get such an eager entourage that will leave you eggs & make you smile.

They are so intertaining & always seem to have an agenda, no "lolly gaging" or "burnin' daylight" for them. The pecking order process is interesting & reminds one of how even people can fit into a group for a shared purpose.

Collections have always appealed to me & the Faverolles are a worthy challenge to boot. The heritage chickens all have such interesting history to learn about. The fact that some of them are mentioned on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy lists as "endangered" in various degrees, makes them even more unique & connects stories to places all around the world. You'll see that my username is ""save the favs"", it's only half a joke. Even though I am laughing at myself for getting "all fired up" about possibly "helping the cause" by responsibly breeding a flock of Faverolles. I'm also laughing at the idea that I could make a difference in "keeping the breed going"; but who knows, my "drop in the bucket" just may help to fill it.

Raising such sweet chickens, sure helps "fill my bucket" with smiles, laughs & endearment.

 

[beckymom3]

I zoomed through the poll like a chicken through watermelon and forgot to mention bug control and the love of shear chicken beauty. We adore our chickens, the best pets ever (dogs, cover your ears). And the delicious eggs are the best, ever. I could have many, many more and can't wait to breed some beauties this coming Spring.

Becky

 

[oaklandathletic]

Chickens have been apart of my life ever since I bought 100 chicks back in the 70's...the post office called my mom and told her they had a package for us...I was at school and she went down and brought home this peeping box....oops I forgot to tell her what I did.....

she wasn't too happy since we lived in the city.....I raised them in the familyroom.....kinda like the I Love Lucy episode when she bought all those chicks LOL.....I sold most of them and kept 25...Mom still tells that story to this day...It's funny now....But Boy ol boy it wasn't funny with her back then..

Chickens are my pets and the eggs I mostly give away and the satifaction of the smiles on peoples faces is worth all the work that goes into them.....Gotta have my chickens!!!

 

[mtmimi777]

I raise rare and endangered chickens, specifically, to increase the number of these valuable birds, which should not be lost to extinction. If I were one, I'd want someone to save and preserve me and my lineage. Part of this reason includes educating myself and others about these gorgeous and useful fowl, which we are all able to see and increase the numbers of, if we just look beyond the latest fad or commonly known. JOIN ME AND BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT! They're great conversation starters!! And you thought walking your dog would help you meet new, potential...