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

[Mom2Cool]

Well my reasoning started out for bug control because I'd had my golden retrievers come in the house crawling with ticks. The ticks are no longer an issue.... lol Anyway at the time I thought it was a good "natural pest controller" & then I thought they'd be a good aid in the garden (which they are great tillers) & of course the eggs, meat etc. etc. & now I think it's really "sickness" on my part. LOL I think I liked them a lot more than I thought I would.

 

[dixiechick]

Quote:
so what was your first guess?

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Honestly, I told him I thought people on BYC had chickens mostly for eggs and pets.

 

[seriousbill]

Other--historical interest, breed preservation.

 

[fordmommy]

I have chickens for pets, eggs, their beauty, the softness, the sweetness, the humor, and pure joy of being responsable for another living being.

 

[the Old Rebel]

We started out with it in mind to "live off the land" -being organic gardeners and raising our own meat. Of course, we liked the eggs and the poop for fertilizer too.

But the meat part ended when all of them started having names. They are more than pets. They are family. Each and every one is a unique individual. We have 47 such individuals, including at least 10 roos (we're waiting to see how many roos are in our last batch of chicks).

I've had some health problems including cancer (now for the 4th time) and they have been more than therapy. Being with them and caring for them is often a spiritual as well as emotional and physical experience.

I can't imagine Life without our chickens in it.

By the way, I forgot to mark "other". Oops!

 

[ecocheapomom]

The eggs (soon to come) is a primary reason, but we also saw it as a wonderful project that the whole family could be involved with. Even our youngest, who is three, can take on chicken duties such as bringing them treats. We also feel that it is an amazing opportunity to connect our children to where their food comes from. As we witnessed with our garden, the children are much more excited about nutrition and also sustainable living when it is something tangile. They see the garden grow and are so thrilled when dinner is presented and they ask "Is this from our garden?" It instantly tastes better. Likewise, they have watched our chickens grow and love to share what they know with others. Even our 3 and 4 year olds can tell people how many we have, what breed, how old they will be before they start to lay, etc. Another side bonus - other kids think it's cool!

PS I also agree about chickens as therapy. They never, ever whine!

 

[crait]

I raise them because they are cool pets and interesting. My parents let me keep them because of bug control, eggs, and their poo.

 

[Gloria's mom]

I never dreamed I'd have chickens. Then one day I decided my son and daughter-in-law needed something for the neighbors to talk about, so I raised a few crested polish chickens and two turkens for their new farm. What a surprise for them! These chickens have turned out to be the most entertaining creatures.

One would not stay, so she came home with me and became a member of our family.

I have also added one rooster. I get so much pleasure out of just sitting and watching them. It is quit relaxing.

 

[Serrin]

Other: Because with nearly 11 acres, it just seemed the natural first step in making this property a small farm. Because I love simply being with my girls. Their company is the best company by far. There are so many reasons we have the girls...and more are added daily!

Just as when I lost my kitty BugBug, and swore I would wait at least a year before getting another cat, I found I just couldn't handle it. Life without a cat was empty. Two weeks went by before I gave in and adopted Deedaa.

I find that now, I feel the same way about our chickens. Life without them is unthinkable, and heck will freeze over before I will go through life chicken-less!

Simply put, they fill that vacant spot in my heart that needed filling up!!

Just as I will always have a cat and a dog, I will ALWAYS have chickens!