Why do you keep chickens?

[WisconsinGardenChick]

I studied a lot of women’s history in college, and something that interested me was women’s income generating activities during the Great Depression. Women’s egg (and butter, in some places) money was crucial to the survival of their families at that time. Many older women I know who were born during the Great Depression and grew up on farms here in Wisconsin recall their mothers ordering a 100 or more baby chicks each spring. They, as children, had to help care for them. In the fall, they also helped their mothers butcher the chickens which were then sold to pay for school clothes and fees.

It seems to me that we’re at the beginning of another Great Depression and my sense is that women again are turning to chicken-keeping, in part to help provide for their families. If you're interested in helping me to get a better idea of who is deciding to keep chickens and why, you can respond to my survey.

If you feel like sharing any stories of your parents or grandparents keeping chickens, I would love to hear that, too! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I will summarize the results in another post.

Katherine

Edited to add: Many thanks to all of you who have shared your stories and answered the survey. Keep 'em coming! Also, I encourage men to respond to the survey, as well as women whose dads or grandfathers kept chickens to respond.

 

[Dust Bunny]

read my signature statement below

 

[GraceAK]

Chickens are an incredibly low maintenance pet that makes eggs, and if you don't want to keep it, you can eat it! You can't do that with a cat!

 

[gryeyes]

I don't know. I really don't know. I had ducks when I was first married (the first time) at age 17. (Far, far too many years ago to admit the exact number of years ago.) Some little monster child wrung all their necks one day and lined them up along the sidewalk outside of our house. Then smirked at me. I bet he has turned into a serial killer by now.

I had a parakeet for a couple of years until he died when the nice neighbor lady clipped his toenails for me and he bled to death. She asked me if I wanted a canary another lady had to get rid of, so I had him for year or so, too. He died of old age, according to the avian vet. Then I swore off caged birds in the house. Hmmmm... about 15 years ago.

I moved to this part of the state just over 2 years ago, and my landlady had two geese. They were lovely. Free range on the acre of land where she and I each have separate houses. Free roaming neighbor dogs killed them, and killed one of MY dogs (a miniature dachshund) who ran outside at night to protect the geese. Well, maybe just to protect "his" yard, but the dogs got all three of 'em. That was two Christmases ago. (Crappy time of year to lose pets to predation.)

Then I built two goldfish ponds, and some raised garden beds, and suddenly, very suddenly, I wanted chickens. Got permission from the landlady. Built an A-Frame coop, bought chicks at a feed store and raised them in the "Bathroom Nursery Rubbermaid Bin Brooder." Bought a coop kit on eBay and put the youngsters in IT instead of my home made A-Frame coop. (But they got to play in the A Frame. Now I house two more chickens in it.)

I love 'em all. Fascinated by their behavior. Plus, I'm getting eggs! And fertilizer for those raised garden beds. And pretty keepsake feathers for "projects."

I can't quite explain WHY I keep chickens.

 

[newnanchic]

Cause I am in the country and I can have all I want to feed !!!

 

[dipence71]

Quote:
Love your sig line!!!!

 

[b.hromada]

Katherine, I filled out your survey!

 

[Illia]

Filled out your survey.

I keep them because I love them. If half of my girls stopped laying eggs, I wouldn't dislike them or get rid of them. Most of them. (income is important too)

 

[Dixiedoodle]

Growing up, I lived a gypsy /Normand life style.. We were never in one place for more than 2 -3yrs.. Living in little 'villages' with other military families.. We were never allowed to own pets--or have many belongs because we would have to find homes for them when it was time to 'move' on....We didn't plant anything in the yard or garden because you may never be there to reap your harvest..

As a little girl, When I daydreamed about my life as an adult, It was never in the professional area-- NEVER! It was always my farm, my children, my animals, my garden, honeybees...

I worked for years in the rat race--after my kids started school, helping to pay for their dreams, When they finished college and became productive happy adults... I started living MY dreams.. I planted an orchard with antique apple trees,pears, peach, plum, pomegranate, Asian persimmons, cherries, fig, blueberries, blackberries and dewberries. I planted a small vineyard with antique varieties of muscadines. I have 10 hives of honeybees.. We plant a huge garden on our beloved farm... and the next step was my chickens.. I chose heavy breeds --such as RIR, BO, BR just because I like their build.. I like fat hens.. I chose the EE and true Ameraucanas for the colored eggs....

I make no money off my ventures. It's all for our ,our family, friends and loved ones use. Many of the things - including the honey is given as gifts... as is my jelly, jams, and eggs!!

 

[M To The Maxx]

Quote:
Love your sig line!!!!

x2!