Official BYC Poll: Why Do You Have Chickens?

[chickenherder26]

My husband said "Because you wanted them". We had talked jokingly about it for years. But in late summer 2020, our tween boys were starting virtual school and it seemed like a great learning project for them. They were excited too. We started with 3 hens and got 2 more within 2 weeks, and did a lot of learning along the way. This spring we got 5 baby chicks (a surprise for them), which is the boys' favorite thing about the whole year. We still have all 10 hens and were getting a variety of colorful eggs in the late summer (now we only get 1 egg a day because the 9 month old chicks molted as well). But we all love them, they are so fun and the boys talk about them constantly. I love to garden so the compost is great too. I joke that they are my chicken therapy as well... and the eggs were a factor although definitely not free... but I think the main reason was for a family project/learning experience and teaching life skills/sustainability to our boys.
Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[Chicken poppy]

We have snow coming down ans sticking We do not get allot here

Woo! Our snow is basically slush here, quite hard to drive on haha!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Ours is already gone but below freezing here now

 

[Chicken poppy]

Ours is already gone but below freezing here now

Aw. I think it dropped to 5 a few days ago. Right now in the 20s

 

[m0ther_g00se]

I got chickens because I wanted eggs, and to expand my horizons from ducks. I thought ducks wouldn’t fit the climate here… They’re doing fine now, I’ve learned, but chickens are so fascinating too! It’s a mixed flock from now on for me

 

[Chicken poppy]

I got chickens because I wanted eggs, and to expand my horizons from ducks. I thought ducks wouldn’t fit the climate here… They’re doing fine now, I’ve learned, but chickens are so fascinating too! It’s a mixed flock from now on for me

Id love to get me some call ducks! Or muscovy.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Well snowed again then left now it is back but maybe a inch

 

[Kennas_Kritters]

My first thought was that I wanted them for eggs.... then I got attached to them and now I want them as pets and don't care as much about the eggs. The eggs and bug control are just a plus! ❤ Plus my girls become free loaders during molt anyways.

 

[Iluveggers]

I didn’t know how much I would love them. Got them for eggs, then they were pets, now they are the loves of my life and the place I go when I need to find peace in my mind! My family thinks it’s weird but I will put a stool out in the run or even the coop if it’s cold, and just sit for hours and let them jump on my lap to sleep and watch them play and frolic. My DD doesn’t understand why I can sit out there in 30 degrees even though I hate the cold!

 

[pennyJo1960]

We had about 4 inches fall overnight, fluffy white stuff.
All egg will be in the coop. No one will walk in the snow.