When did you start with chickens?

[conny63malies]

I grew up on a farm in germany we always had chickens. After we bought ou house i deceided by owning poultry i could bring a little bit of my german childhood back.

 

[FunnyFarmer]

My mom had chickens when I was a teenager, and for some unknown reason I decided as an adult in my thirties that I wanted chickies. So here I am at 38 with a flock of 17 and planning more this spring!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

I got my first chickens when I was in fifth grade (I had been obsessed with chickens for several years before that; I was an "odd" child to non-chicken people). I started with a big White Leghorn rooster, then I got a Barred Rock, then some RIRs, EEs, and Silver Phoenixes. The chickens were mine, not my parents'. My dad built a coop for me, but after that, I had to do everything for them -- feed, water, gather eggs, clean the coop, etc. When I got my driver's license, I got a job and bought the feed and the bedding and all the other supplies. I was the one doing the research about taking care of them and teaching my parents about them. I learned a TON on my own from reading books and from the Internet.

I kept chickens until I was a junior in college, then had to give them away because I was moving to another city and would be living where I couldn't keep them. My parents were awesome and took care of the chickens for me while I was away at school and helped me find good homes for them while I was preparing to move.

I haven't had chickens for about six years now, and I miss them greatly. I will be moving to the country in the next couple of years and will be able to have my beloved chickens again. I can't wait!!

 

[seminolewind]

When my dad was a kid, my grandpa raised meat chickens. My grandma had a flock when I was a kid. 10 years ago a rooster adopted us. Now I started my flock september of 2007, so about a year and a half

 

[azelgin]

some body gave us a couple when I was 12. I Had other interests at the time so, they moved to a neighbor's house. I just started again last February.

 

[sara]

I can't really remember a time when I haven't had chickens. Well there was a year when I first got married and we were renting that I couldn't have any.

 

[sara]

My first chickens of my very own were actually silkies. I was probably 8 or 9. The 4-H extension agent lived out the road from me, and lent me an incubator and gave me eggs to get started. I can't believe I used to get stuff to hatch, I didn't know a thing about humidity. lol

 

[RHewitt]

Had chickens on the family farm when I was young up until about age 15. I remember my Dads friends would occassionally but a few from me. It seemed I was the one that took care of them and looked after the chicks when a broody hen would hatch some. I remember ordering a mixed batch of bantams raising them up to adults and winning some ribbons at the local fair. After high school I have not kept chickens until about two years ago when I bought my own place in the country and now at age 41 I have about 30 and really enjoy being able to care for them. My 22 month old son calls them "burds" and everyday he wants to see the "burds". Life is better with a few chickens and a place to call your own in the country!

 

[lilshadow]

I grew up on farms with grandparents that had farm animals (chickens). So when I married DH #2 I told him all I want is a farm, and he got me one. So I have had chickens of my own for 2 years now.

 

[al6517]

After I retired and moved to the country about 15 yrs ago, I started my first flock. I had a predator problem ( Bobcats ) so I took a break for awhile after losing so many so often. Then I started back up again 5 yrs ago, this time I built a fort knox for them and have had only minor incidents. All has been well and the flock is doing great, and I am now expanding quit a bit.

AL