POLL: Why do you keep chickens - eggs, meat, show, pet, other?

[HorseFeathers]

pets eggs entertainment, and soon to be showing!

 

[Godsgrl]

mostly my chickens are pets. Yes, the eggs are great, but so are the hens that laid them. I love watching the behavior of my chickens, and getting to know their personalities.

 

[Momma_Cluck]

The 1st dozen were all Bantams Given as a Gift in April (for pets) so DD could join 4H...

The 2nd batch of 10 (8 Hens 2 Roo's- Roo's given to good homes!) Were 2 month old Rocks given to us (By the same Aunt, this time for eggs...) In July ...

The 3rd Batch We bought from Ideal as day olds, (delivered in early September) a good mix we picked for temperament, egg laying ability and looks... some are more or less pets that lay eggs, others just egg layers as they became less friendly as the hormones kicked-in....

1 we hatched under a broody OE Banty is an indoor pet (as yet)

3 more we hatched (under the same hen) are now 3.5 weeks old, and are silkie mixes- so mostly pets there...

have ordered (for delayed delivery) 20 Meat birds, and more EE's and Turkens.... LOVE their eggs!!!

As others have said, I do not see a huge difference between a non-speaking variety of parrot or other "pet bird" and a pet chicken!

Funny thing-- our "best " pets tend to be the breeds NOT known for being friendly! OE bantams and California Whites... our friendliest birds! (The Turkens come close tho!)

 

[PotterWatch]

We have ours for eggs and meat.

 

[bayouchica]

At first we got them for the eggs, now they are pets. I love Chicken TV,lol.
Even the older hens not laying, serve a purpose here in bug control, mulching leaves,etc.

 

[AK_Button_Mama]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

Pets, eggs, meat... the works.

The boys are in 4H now, so we'll be showing, too.

AHEM.... didnt you leave out that the birds brought us together!!!!! (taps toe!!!)

just kiddin tori!!!

I have mine stricktly to get away with somethign I am not suppose to do!!!!

no really I never thought I would liek the stinkers as much as I do but I have my curent girls for eggs (who when they have outlived thier productivness will provide a meal for our family) I also have them because they are funny to watch.. I am getting some bird for show too....​

 

[cyrixlord]

I have 2 hens and a chick I just got. They're great for bug eating, fertilizing, leaf sifting, dirt enriching, territorial varment chasing, clucking and eggs and they sure are fun as pets!

and they dont seem to complain.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

$$$$$$$ The money! All the wads of money they make me!$$$$$$

 

[conny63malies]

My ducks were meat first , egg layers second .Now they are free loaders that will eat all of my personal money. So i guess they qualify as lawn ornamens if there was lawn left.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Pets, that give back.