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

[vfem]

I chose other too, because I want to breed them in hopes of bettering what I have as stock... I figure someone else can 'show' them... if I think they are nice enough I will. However, I don't show them now and not planning in the near future... but I do like having chicks running around with their mama's!!!!

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

I put "other' because we have a mixed flock that serve different purposes. I got into chickens for many of these reasons that you have listed.

We have Serama as a fun and rewarding project to improve the gene pool for that breed and soon will be showing them! (I love these birds!!) I definately got these for the small and cute pet factor, plus the challenge in breeding them.

We have free range egg layers to feed the family. They lay all different colors and are 1000 times more fun and fresh than any store bought eggs........ (and I would use the meat, if I could just quit naming them and falling in love with everyone we get.....I cant bring myself to eat Santa Claus, Willow or Pebbles and Bam-Bam...

We have free-range broodies that provide eggs and hatch serama eggs. Since they are docile breeds (like the cochin mixes) they are great pets and fun for company to see here at the petting zoo.

They are all a joy and just as interesting, if not more, than other animals we have here on the farm.

All the free-rangers and guineas are loose to help with bug control. We have had very few ticks this year.

There are just so many reasons that you listed. I think I got chickens, because any right-minded person would!!

 

[minifarmgurl1]

It started out because i love all animals and they reminded me of turkeys who i think are soo funny and intersting to watch. It would be one less bill at the grocery store, we use alot of eggs and i have people who want to buy my eggs..so im makin money too! they are such a joy to live with!

 

[newchickenfamily]

My "other" comment is recycling. They eat all of our food scraps.

 

[kwynn's birds Alaska]

i got chickens because my neighbors had them. I loved to hear their rooster that would crow all day. I had planned for them as meat and egg birds. Then they became pets, that gave me eggs. their poo is good stuff for my garden. they have their own little personalities, and it's purley entertaining. Before I had chickens, I never thought that even scooping poop would be fun.

 

[Bladerunner]

We don't have chickens just yet, but they're in the works!

I've been getting into urban homesteading the last few years. Chickens/eggs seem like a natural extension: eggs, composting veg scraps, fertilizer, garden pest control. We aren't adamant about having only organic food in our lives - just fitting it in where we can. There's that whole connecting back to the natural world thing that's really attractive for me. Having tomatoes & blueberries & eggs from our own backyard is not absolutely necesarry, it's just awesome.
On top of that, I've got some anxiety & mood issues. Having pets & the garden help me manage those issues (med-free & far fewer doctor visits!).
Plus, we're looking forward to having yardfish!

 

[gritsar]

I picked as pets and for eggs, but the whole thing started because DH wouldn't let me have a horse.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

My flock is VERY diversified. Of course I collect the eggs from the layers, but I also allow the hens to go broody every once in a while.

I have as many Guineas as i do layers now and I REALLY like the Guinea fowl as they are great for bug control

I love my chickens and they in turn like me. I give them the best I can and feed them treats whenever I can.

I find them VERY interesting and i have learned so very much from them.

They give me something to look forward to every day as I am responsible for their welfare.

I do have a few pets and a few favorites in the flock, but mostly i just let them be chickens and have as good a life as I can afford.

 

[abanjaf]

We love our chickens We keep them as pets and for their eggs, but also for their beauty (does that count under the pet category?). I love hearing the roosters in the morning and will open the back door just so I can hear them. It brings a smile to my face. I love sitting outside with them in the evenings after I let them out of the coop to go explore in the yard. They are so funny and inquisitive. Always wanting to see what you're doing. I love watching them and admiring how pretty they are. I'm always surprised when people ask me why I own chickens! My reply is now, "Why don't you own any?"

--Jessi

 

[swampducks]

Eggs, meat and bug control here. I'd have picked fertilizer if I had ever in my life been successful with composting anything, but that seems beyond me.

I also selected other because I originally had only ducks and planned to have only ducks till DH turned out to be allergic to duck eggs.

I just wished my guineas and ducks and chickens would eat the blasted deer flies!