Topic of the Week - What is the purpose of your flock?

[Mrs. K]

I live far out in the country, so a supply of eggs is so nice!

But getting outside to do chores is a big part of it too.

Mrs K

 

[feedman77]

Started out with 6 hens for eggs for my mother and grandmother.
Then acuired a rooster for fertile eggs for the incubator.

Now it's for eating eggs, meat, hatching eggs, and in general now it is my stress reliever from work and life
I just set and watch them range and interact with each other.

But chicken math took over I know have 40 hens 6 rooster in breed specific pens. Plus quail, chukar, turkey, and pheasant.

Both mom and grandmother are gone now. But birds remain. I guess it's also a small reminder when I see the birds, remember why I got them. That I think of my mom and grandmother.

 

[R3bauer]

Eggs!
Also, I deal with PTSD, anxiety, and depression so the chickens and their chores will be therapy along with the garden and other household maintenance.

 

[Trish1974]

I keep chickens so I can have chores! I know, sounds crazy. But I was born and raised on a farm. We had horses, cows, chickens and at one point ducks. Since I could walk I was always doing something outside - carrying water in the dead of winter, cleaning stalls, collecting eggs, etc. After college and starting a business I settled down and got married and bought a beautiful 12 acre farm. I got back in to showing horses, but after a few years I realized my body just couldn't do it anymore. I sold my show horse and kept a large pony and a donkey to entertain me. Even though I was just down to cleaning stalls and slinging hay my aging body gave up on that, too. Four years ago I got a divorce and ended up buying an 18 acre property along a river with mostly river bottom woods - not enough cleared land to keep horses. My life did not feel complete without some kind of chores to do. So I bought a small flock of chickens and they have been one of the most enjoyable pets I've ever owned! Nothing about raising chickens hurts my body or wears me out, thank god! I have found a chore I can handle!

Its also therapeutic to come home from a long day of work and sit in the chicken run and have my girls jump up on my lap and "tell me about their day". And is there anything more relaxing then watching them scratch around and listen to their cute little noises?! I do sell my eggs, simply because one person cannot eat that many, and I've designated my egg money as my lottery money!

 

[GardenJen77]

Live composters, pest control, entertainment. The eggs they produce help pay for their feed and care.

 

[starrmar006]

I use mine to breed, sell and, keep as pets

 

[starrmar006]

I use mine to breed, sell and, keep as pets and to keep the bugs down

 

[GldnValleyHens]

We keep our many chickens and ducks for egg laying and entertainment. Farm fresh, free-range eggs are 500x better than store bought. Chickens are also beautiful and entertaining. We have 2 polish, 1 Silkie, 2 D'uccles, and a cochin simply because they are so cute. ( and I succumbed to chick fever) I can't imagine life without my chickens to color it. I admit they can be a pain, because they pillage gardens I work hard on and have to cared for on vacations, but I vow to always keep chickens as long as I live. It's no fun without them! Ours are all pets, the best kind, for they give eggs!

 

[Kessel23]

Eggs and entertainment, mainly.

 

[moniquem]

A more sustainable life style, entertainment....