Why Are You Raising Chickens?

[marlo1968]

I wanted to start raising chickens for the eggs. I got 10 Pearl White Leghorns (laying pullets), 5 Red Stars (1 y o hens), 5 EE's, then 4 more EE's. I'm calling them EE's anyway because when I got the first 5 chicks the store where I bought them labeled them "Araucanas" I have since learned that Araucanas have no tail (mine do), have tufts of feathers at their cheeks (some of mine don't)...so not true araucanas, but a mutt breed. The other 4 chicks I got are from a teacher's son's 4-H project. I ended up with 1 chick I am certain is a Barred Rock, 1 chick might be barred rock she doesn't have the white spot on her head has black legs and yellow toes, but otherwise looks pretty much like the barred rock, then 2 have the same coloring, white and gray with green legs, one a pullet and one a roo. Anyway, I was after eggs and I want the chickens to at least somewhat support themselves, so I sell the eggs as well. My 15 hens that are already laying have laid 158 eggs in 11 days, so we aren't doing too bad. I have 6.5 doz eggs per week spoken for and several customers on a waiting list. I definately need more chickens....that darn chicken math.

Chickens are a funny thing. When I was a kid and we had chickens, I hated them, didn't like gathering eggs, didn't want to clean nests, hated going in the coop or run. Now I look back and think, boy I had it good, fresh eggs every day. Now that I have my own flock I can't wait to go out and collect the eggs every day, I make sure their nests are clean every morning. I sit and watch them interact for hours. I buy them special treats, make sure they have fresh vergetable scraps every day, they LOVE bread, practically fight over it. I'm lovin this chicken thing.....loads of fun!!!

 

[Shobe Biz]

I'm just getting some Silkies in my next "batch" of chickens. Any tips?

 

[urban escapee]

I never had chickens growing up, was a careeer mom, and very busy. But for some reason when my Mom moved to the country I kept telling her she needed to get chickens. Her reply was that when someone built her a coop and would take care of them she would have chickens. When I got laid off almost a year ago, we got rid of our house and moved a mobile home onto my moms property, and the complusion came back. I gave my husband some goats for his birthday so he rushed to build a goat pen for them, and I got chickens for my birthday the very next month. Coop built and we are getting ready to expand the coop and run area. I am loving life again

On the plus side, my mom loves the goats and chickens (prob because she doesnt have to do anything but take pictures). And I love the extra time I spend with my mom.

 

[twindaddy43]

I live in the country and my grandpa used to raise chickens, turkeys, guineas, and ducks. I bought some chickens and sold them and now I have hatching eggs on the way.

As of right now I have 2 Black Austrolorp/Buff Orpington crosses and a Wheaton Ameracauna rooster. And I will be the proud owner of a few Lemon Cuckoo Orpington chicks in 21 days.

I've owned Cochins, Campines, Welsummer, Black and Blue Copper Marans, Brahmas, RIR, Salmon Faverolles, EEs, and many more. I seem to always be buying and selling.

 

[CSWolffe]

For me, it started when my boss and I(I'm a carpenter with a small remodeling company) were building a new garage for this vegan fellow who kept chickens. He didn't eat the eggs, he just wanted to keep his agricultural zoning. Every day he sent us each home with a dozen delicious eggs, white, brown, blue, and green. I thought this was awesome. My boss, on the other hand, had only ever seen white eggs. He thought he was being brave to eat a brown egg, and absolutely refused to consider eating a blue or green one. To him, eggs came from the store in cartons.
It made me realize just how much of a disconnect there is in out society between our food's source and our plates.
I want my kids to grow up knowing what food is and where it comes from. And food does not come in little boxes from grocery store shelves.
And I loved the idea of delicious, fresh eggs, as well as having new goofy pets to adore.
I am also getting bees in a few weeks, and if my city would allow it, I would have goats.

 

[OnceAroundTheBlock]

Over 20 years ago I had a large flock of chickens but back then the kids were still home and my family was larger than it is now. I had a long break from raising chickens and recently decided that I really did miss having them and the wonderful, fresh eggs. So I had a small coop built by the high school's carpentry shop, added a 20' x 20' run, and got a couple hens and a rooster.

I love spending time with them in their run, they each have their own little personality and are so friendly. What really cracks me up is when the rooster goes over to a real or imagined treat and starts that clucking that must mean, "c'mere and see what I found", so that the hens come running over to see what it is. Usually, it's nothing but he's happy that they obeyed and came running......ha ha, typical male.

Yesterday and today my girls rewarded me for all the attention I shower on them by giving me their first 2 eggs at 24 weeks of age. Precious babies...

 

[Domestic_goddess]

I'm a city girl, who moved to the country! Sounded fun, 5 years ago I talked the farm store about it and then pretty much put it out of my mind. About 3 months later, they call and say they have my 6 chicks in and I needed to come and get them. I was not prepared and totally clueless and had forgotten about them. Well, needless to say 5 years later and 50 chickens... I love them! For me they are my hobby, I enjoy it. I sell my eggs, in no way make a profit...but that's not the reason for having chickens.

 

[Sunnysimplelife]

I look at as a hobby too. Does take some of my time but a very enjoyable hobby like gardening.