Will chickens help my depression?

[mg15]

Oh no, I couldn't have a house chicken. It might help MY depression, but send my wife into one. There isnt a thing out of place in this house, even I get dusted daily.

We have a house chicken. She was so small that the trampling on the poor thing
prevented her from eating and drinking properly. She is a Japanese Bantam and the
smallest little thing. She is 11 weeks old. I have her in a bird cage at night and during times
for eating at daytime. She mostly sits on my shoulder, I walk around with her, but sometimes
she flys off and does her own roaming.
NOT much dusting going on around here..!!!!

 

[JohnPeel]

Do you know what kind of chicks you are getting ?

All I really know is that they are like an orangy red and you can see whitish feathers underneath, well that was the old batch anyway.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Those may be Gold Stars (also know as red sex link). They are every day layers of big eggs. They are also really friendly and talkative!

 

[JohnPeel]

Those may be Gold Stars (also know as red sex link). They are every day layers of big eggs. They are also really friendly and talkative!

RSL sounds like something the farmer said, and from what you have said I really hope that's what they are. I will be able to post pictures of them just as soon as I get them. I found this picture of chickens that look like the ones I am getting.

 

[aeb1960]

I can relate! I am going through a very down time myself right now. Last week was bad, and then this week I was in bed with a fever. I had not gone out to visit the "girls" nor the chicks all week, until today. How refreshing! I had a few clean-up chores to do, and it was so satisfying to have the chickens mill about. A couple are really affectionate, and approach for patting....that always makes me feel valuable! Just watching them scratch about and fling all the straw off the garlic...again!....is relaxing. I highly recommend these unique "pets!"

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Quote: Mine have that coloring...mine are a little plumper.

 

[dawnjb]

I think its an excellent idea! I have a rooster an a hen that I take to the nursing home where I work and the old folks just love them. Those chickens have put smiles on the faces of residents who hadn't smiled in ages. Chickens require only the basics...food, water, shelter and love! All of my chickens lift my spirits daily. Good luck to you!

 

[JohnPeel]

I think its an excellent idea! I have a rooster an a hen that I take to the nursing home where I work and the old folks just love them. Those chickens have put smiles on the faces of residents who hadn't smiled in ages. Chickens require only the basics...food, water, shelter and love! All of my chickens lift my spirits daily. Good luck to you!

FOOD! Nobody said anything about food!

 

[Criskin]

I agree with everyone else...great idea! I have suffered from clinical depression in the past and although I would never stop taking medication without my doc's guidance, I think my chickens were (and still are) great medicine. For one thing, they get me out of the house and in the fresh air every day. Then there is the exercise from cleaning and refilling water, cleaning the coop, etc. Most importantly, it is just so fun to watch the mini-society in my backyard. They are always so happy to see me and make me realize the importance of getting excited over little things in life.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Mine definitely helped me. I was really depressed. I got engaged and moved in with my fiance's parents--more than 7 hours from my family & all of my friends. I knew no one and in this tiny town, it's all about who you know. It took me forever to find a job and then we bought a house (right next door to the in-laws!) My first boss' paychecks he wrote to me bounced, and then I lost my job because I confronted him about it. I was miserable. Eventually, I got a better job and my chickens. The chickens made me HAVE to go outside EVERY day, even if I didn't feel like it and even if it was 100 degrees or -25 and care for them. Before I had my daughter, they became my real reason for sticking around this place. Now, I've been here 7 years and I can't imagine living anywhere else. I still have my chickens (although a lot less of them) but they still keep me sane and happy. LOL