What makes a "crazy chicken lady/man"?

[nikkers390]

Crazy chicken people, speak up.
Why do you keep chickens?
Do people roll their eyes when you show pictures of your chickens or suddenly have something important to do when you talk about chickens?
Did you ever have someone say "it's just a chicken" when you tell them about a loss?
Apparently, you have been talking to the wrong people.
This is where we want to hear about your good times, bad times, problems and joys.
Let me start with my story.
I was a country girl soul living in the city. When finally I retired to acreage in SW FL, I felt I was coming home.
When I decided i was going to keep chickens, it was an exciting adventure.
I read about them, looked at pictures, talked to people. I lurked on the forums and studied every hatchery catalog i got in the mail.
I started with a dozen mixed breed chicks from a neighbor. It turned into an obsession from that minute.
After eight years of trial and error, mostly error, I now look at chickens in a different light.
My original purpose was to have farm fresh eggs. I still thank my hens for their gifts, but mainly i raise them because they are beautiful. I guess you would call it eye candy.
Every chicken is unique. All have individual personalities. Their feather patterns are varied and complex and the colors are incredible.
So while the average person sees a chicken, I see an astounding creation of color and form. I see living works of art created by God.
I have always been fascinated with genetics. Each new chick from my diverse mixed
flock is a pleasant surprise. Some are crested, some have beards and muffs, some have feathered shanks. Some are solid, others have intricate feather markings. All are lovely.
So, if that makes me a crazy chicken lady, so be it.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Wonderful thread!
Thank you for sharing, I much enjoyed reading

 

[nikkers390]

Wonderful thread!
Thank you for sharing, I much enjoyed reading

I would love to hear your story too.

 

[HuffleClaw]

I would love to hear your story too.

Starting from the very beginning of my chicken keeping days;
In late 2015 I had visited my uncle, he had just gotten chickens at that time, but I fell in love with them. I begged and pleaded with my mother until finally we placed an order for 12 baby Bantam chicks. I was smitten. They were constantly hanging out with me, of course not in the brooder, but in my bedroom being snuggled.
Later on, 2016, I knew I had to incubate eggs; at least once. I had to, just had to. So I bought my first incubator, and set my 12 eggs. 6 were fertile and hatched (still alive to this day). I was ecstatic! I had an addiction. No one quite understood why I wanted to keep/hatch chickens. I tried to explain my love for chickens & poultry, but didn’t get through to anybody! Everyone was convinced I had a true addiction, I did. Now I spend my days outside with them, having fun. Which my chickens help me with my anxiety, I guess they’re “therapy chickens” almost. Now I have a wonderful flock of 18 chickens, 4 cats, and 3 dogs.

 

[N F C]

I've always loved birds but was afraid of chickens growing up. It wasn't until I was an adult living in Key West, FL and seeing all the "gypsy" chickens roaming freely that I began to get interested in chickens.

They're such fascinating little creatures...love their personalities, coloring, eggs, behaviors.

Other than the good folks here on BYC, most people just roll their eyes when I talk about my flock. They just don't get it

 

[nikkers390]

I've always loved birds but was afraid of chickens growing up. It wasn't until I was an adult living in Key West, FL and seeing all the "gypsy" chickens roaming freely that I began to get interested in chickens.

They're such fascinating little creatures...love their personalities, coloring, eggs, behaviors.

Other than the good folks here on BYC, most people just roll their eyes when I talk about my flock. They just don't get it

True, they just don't get it. I love my chickens, but what I'm really addicted to is the benefits they give me: a purpose, their calming influence, the entertainment they provide, the responsibility of providing for their well being, not to mention they joy and satisfaction of watching them grow from eggs to gorgeous chickens.

 

[nikkers390]

I've always loved birds but was afraid of chickens growing up. It wasn't until I was an adult living in Key West, FL and seeing all the "gypsy" chickens roaming freely that I began to get interested in chickens.

They're such fascinating little creatures...love their personalities, coloring, eggs, behaviors.

Other than the good folks here on BYC, most people just roll their eyes when I talk about my flock. They just don't get it

My family puts up with the chickens because they love me. I really don't think any of them really like them. That's ok. My husband thinks they they are nasty, filthy animals. That's ok too. This gives me the leeway to do things MY WAY.
Talking to regular, non chicken folk is ok as long as we don't discuss why I keep the chickens. Some people are curious but most are truly uninformed or misinformed about chickens. Thank goodness for BYC.
I care for the animals, they do their thing, whatever it is that makes them happy. Win - win.

 

[nikkers390]

Starting from the very beginning of my chicken keeping days;
In late 2015 I had visited my uncle, he had just gotten chickens at that time, but I fell in love with them. I begged and pleaded with my mother until finally we placed an order for 12 baby Bantam chicks. I was smitten. They were constantly hanging out with me, of course not in the brooder, but in my bedroom being snuggled.
Later on, 2016, I knew I had to incubate eggs; at least once. I had to, just had to. So I bought my first incubator, and set my 12 eggs. 6 were fertile and hatched (still alive to this day). I was ecstatic! I had an addiction. No one quite understood why I wanted to keep/hatch chickens. I tried to explain my love for chickens & poultry, but didn’t get through to anybody! Everyone was convinced I had a true addiction, I did. Now I spend my days outside with them, having fun. Which my chickens help me with my anxiety, I guess they’re “therapy chickens” almost. Now I have a wonderful flock of 18 chickens, 4 cats, and 3 dogs.

Therapy is a real benefit. De-stressing is real around chickens. I can watch them them and my mind focuses on them only. I thinks of things I can do to improve the coop and pens, provide them with treats. Problems just slip away.
I also have 4 dogs and 6 geese.

 

[N F C]

Therapy is a real benefit. De-stressing is real around chickens. I can watch them them and my mind focuses on them only. I thinks of things I can do to improve the coop and pens, provide them with treats. Problems just slip away.
I also have 4 dogs and 6 geese.

I've wanted geese for the longest time (and ducks)! Do you enjoy having the geese? What breed do you have?

 

[nikkers390]

I've wanted geese for the longest time (and ducks)! Do you enjoy having the geese? What breed do you have?

I have African geese. 2 males and 4 females. I've had them for about 5 years. They are loud, personable birds, not at all aggressive. I enjoyed them a lot more when they were able to free range and visit the pond.
I live in a rural area surrounded by wood and have in the past lost geese to ???. We have coyotes, bobcats, raccoons and otters in the pond.
Last year one of my pet sheep got killed and eaten by a panther. My irresponsible neighbor lets his dogs run loose and they dig into my property.
To simplify my life and relieve the uncertainty of wondering who will be the next victim, I gave away my one remaining sheep and keep my birds penned. Luckily the pens are large and very secure. I now just let them out when I am able to sit out with them. The geese now come out and nibble on the grass and hang around the peripherals of the pen. They don't go to the pond anymore. The chickens are the same. They spill out when I open the gate, but they never wander more than a few feet from the fence line. It's a shame because we have 5 acres.