Official BYC Poll: Why Do You Have Chickens?

[R2elk]

Just in case anyone gets an idea that I am not nuts.....I added ducks.


Does that count as pest control?

No, but guineas and turkeys do.

 

[ShannonR]

I forgot to mention.....

The more chickens you have the crazier people think you are and the less likely they are to hang around.



Just in case anyone gets an idea that I am not nuts.....I added ducks.


Does that count as pest control?

It absolutely counts as pest control!!!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I've currently got around 85 birds . Granted a good quarter in trying to sell off, but my family thinks I'm nuts, especially when it comes to who's in the basement to wake them up every hour

 

[Rodgermac]

So my wife decided she wanted chickens, then she passed away (brain cancer). I promised her I would take care of her prize Yorkie's (only 1 now started with 2) and chickens (only six of eight left). The eggs I generally give away most of them.

 

[Pretty Birds]

I was a kid when I got my first chickens, and the main reason was because the little chicks at the feed stores were so cute. I now raise chickens mostly for their eggs, but they are my pets too.

 

[goldenyears]

BYC has an incredible array of members that keep chickens for many different purposes. Which of the options on the poll apply to you? Select as many as apply, and if you have reasons that aren't on the list, reply below outlining them.

It all started one day when my wifey stopped by the feed store...

 

[SnapdragonQ]

It started out as eggs, then chicken math and self reliance took over.

And @21hens-incharge ducks DO count. It's why I first got mine and they were terrific at it!

 

[starri33]

So, to explain my “other” vote besides eggs and fertilizer, it started as a project for the kids and me. I was on the road working and never saw my family. On the weekends that I did come home, everyone was holed up in their room doing their own thing. With my wife’s reluctant approval we started building a chicken coop together. It took a couple years to get finished with me being gone but it was quality time with family not staring at some type of screen all the time. Since we got our happy hens it’s also been a source of teaching responsibility for my two teens. One keeps the coop clean and the other makes sure there’s plenty of food and water. I honestly can’t imagine life without the rotten little cluckers now!

What a wonderful way to spend time with the family and teach the kids responsibility, wish there were more parents like you.. this world could use more.

 

[starri33]

I got mine for the eggs, I moved to AZ from SC and the first time I went to buy eggs, I almost had a heart attack at the cost.. so told the hubby that I would get us maybe 8 hens and we'd have eggs. As another here said, Chicken math happened, it started with the first group, I'd bought 6 Sexlinks, then read on here where alot of folks lost 2 or 3. Well, I couldn't have that happen, so I bought another 6 so that I'd get at least 6 to 8 out of the group, I ended up with 12 healthy and happy hens, lol.. inherited a Roo from a friend along with 2 more hen's and it got out of control from there, I've now got 35 in my main flock, another 10 in my NN flock and 6 silkies so far.

 

[Barbs Brood]

As a fun hobby for us since we're retired. But, I never thought I would love them so much! They're fun to be around, cute personalities, and the bonus is the eggs!