Will chickens help my depression?

[Crafty-Duck]

My chickens bring me such joy!!!! I look forward to making them treats and watching them run all over the place, playing keep away

they are so funny to watch plus you get eggs! Bonus!!!!!! it's so exciting to collect eggs.

 

[reveriereptile]

I loved my chickens when I had them. I moved states away from my family and friends to be with my husband so I was lonely. My FIL decided he would get some poultry if I took care of them and I agreed right off even knowing he planned to eat some. We ordered a mixture Rhode Island reds and white leghorn chicks along with 7 muscovy ducklings, and 3 baby Chinese weeder geese.

We got them delivered that spring and everyone of them was healthy. It was like Christmas to me. Luckily I only had a few pasty butt problems with that group. I still remember when I offered treats and finally one of the chicks tried some. That lead to the chick peeping which notified the others which caused them to all chase it trying to grab the treat. That was the cutest thing I've ever seen. I always loved seeing that with each group of new chicks.

We had a huge run outside when they got older to be in. Some of they flew over it so they got a bigger area till we chased them back in. The only problem I had at that point was one of the dogs got into it and she killed 8 of the chickens. That was my first experience with that and seeing a chicken die in front of me. We got after her pretty good and with her being a border collie she never got into the run again or bothered them. We had some issues with foxes killing some later on when we had turkeys. We built a better coop and that stopped. Had some skunks eat the turkey eggs they laid outside but that was no problem.

It was fun watching the ducks and geese swim in their water. The male goose thought I was his hen so I had some problems with him biting other people and trying to mate with me but I still liked them. I love sitting out for hours watching them. Some of them even got where they would fly up on me to roost. It kept me busy running around the yard picking grass or apples for them to eat.

I'd definitely recommend getting a few to try. I think it is best to get chicks since you can get them more tame and pick out your favorites and sell the rest. The only reason I don't have any now is I talked my husband into getting me an English bulldog and she was more than a handful and wasn't easy to train and still isn't. So all my time went into her and I decided it was best for the chickens to go to a better home. Since my bulldog is almost 3 I would like to get some more chickens but I became pregnant in August. I think I will wait till once my child gets old enough that I think they would enjoy raising chickens and then get some.

 

[midwest]

They sure are some funny creatures! You'll get a kick out of them if you get a lizard or frog and feed it to them and watch them run around and fight over it! Lol!

Maybe not the funnest thing for someone with depression or even for someone without it. A piece of bread would result in the same behavior. JMHO

 

[rekkas peeps]

I LOVE my flock!!!! they have dramatically helped my battling my depression. i find if Im at the edge, i jut go out and hold one. I even have 2 of them that can tell im having a bad time and will follow me around (believe it or not it's 2 of my roosters!) and cackle until i aknowledge them. I thinks its a great combination with the right meds if your on them. I wouldnt be where I am without them!

 

[JohnPeel]

Maybe not the funnest thing for someone with depression or even for someone without it. A piece of bread would result in the same behavior. JMHO

I agree there, I felt like taking more meds as soon as I saw the lizard and frog feeding

 

[JohnPeel]

I LOVE my flock!!!! they have dramatically helped my battling my depression. i find if Im at the edge, i jut go out and hold one. I even have 2 of them that can tell im having a bad time and will follow me around (believe it or not it's 2 of my roosters!) and cackle until i aknowledge them. I thinks its a great combination with the right meds if your on them. I wouldnt be where I am without them!

That's amazing that those little critters can have such a huge effect on your health. There more I read the more I am looking forward to getting them. I have built a chair in my garden that faces the coop so I can sit and watch them.

 

[PerfectPoultry]

Eh, it's just a little lizard! Maybe let's start on mealworms....!

 

[NYREDS]

Feeling a little down is not at all the same as Clinical Depression. Pets can be a useful part of recovery but their benefits have limits. Don't be too quick to abandon your medications. This is from a retired Mentel Health Professional & long time chicken breeder.

 

[mg15]

That's amazing that those little critters can have such a huge effect on your health. There more I read the more I am looking forward to getting them. I have built a chair in my garden that faces the coop so I can sit and watch them.

Oh your place looks perfect for chickens and the swing to watch them.

 

[mg15]

JohnPeel, how many are you getting in 4 weeks ?