Will chickens help my depression?

[Bunnylady]

The chooks have landed!


They are beautiful birds. Now, don't get impatient with them, it may take a little while for them to settle in. The stress of being relocated may put them off lay for a little bit, but with 6 POL (point of lay) hens, you should soon be up to your ears in eggs!

 

[sourland]

John, you have your birds, and they are beauties. Be patient about the eggs, guard against predators and enjoy them.

 

[roostersandhens]

chickens are sooo cool they are all sweet if you hold them when they are chicks!! even the roosters!!! always hold them!

 

[JohnPeel]

Well, what a first day with these critters. I went and got some more layer food to mix with the stuff I already had, I hung a cabbage up from the roost for them to play with, and put a bowl of seashell and grit in with them too.

They seem to have settled in OK last night. It was 0c last night, and when I went up to check on them in the dark, some were on the roost and others were in the nest boxes. No eggs though, but I dont care at the moment and dont expect any for a while.

I held my hand out with food in it and they were eating the food out of it and pecking my fingers and wedding ring. I am very happy with my new chooks, and found myself smiling more today, than I have for the fortnight.

 

[bobelot]

Awwww I love the picture of them just siting in there cage in the car like they don't have any problem about being in a cage whatsoever

 

[JohnPeel]

sitting in there cage in the car like they don't have any problem about being in a cage

That's true, they did seem really calm. That surprised us, but I suppose when you think about it, these battery chickens must have spent a lot of time in small spaces before being delivered to the farm where we got them from. Sad for them then, but better for them now. And I suppose the movement of the car forced them to get off their feet and lay down too.

 

[RedIII]

John, I'm so happy you have your own flock now! Speaking from personal experience, having chickens here has helped me so much with my depression. I still take a daily med for it, but my chickens have been lifesavers for me. I have had days where I am so depressed and upset about things that I don't care about anything, not even food. My chickens are literally what gets me out of bed on those mornings, even when the weather is cold or inclement. I have had times where I'm very upset about other things and I just go sit out in the garden with them, watch them through our kitchen windows, or even go watch them in the brooder (when I had them as chicks) It's amazing how much they can help you to feel better. I have noticed that mine can also tell when I'm not feeling well or am struggling with depression. When they get to know you, you'll find that some may come up to you and want to sit with you or just make sure you're okay. Having animals around is such a blessing. I hope you enjoy spending time with your chooks <3

 

[JohnPeel]

I can believe it, because although I have only had them a day and night so far, when I go to see them and I open the big door on the back, they are all huddled up together in the nest boxes. And as I lean on the door frame with my elbows and start talking to them, they start to move around and it's as though they are listening and trying to talk back. I am amazed at how trusting they are already, and how they didn't try to fly out of the door when I had it open. It's 3.30 am here at the moment, and I couldnt sleep because it is also -1c and I am worried that they might not be used to the cold. I will probably be awake now until it is light and I can go and check on them. Im sure they will be fine because when I checked on them when it went dark, most of them were on the roost huddled up next to each other, I thought it funny and I said to my wife that they looked like a chicken kebab. Here is the back door openning were I lean to talk to them.

 

[RedIII]

Hahaha, I can picture that now

I am sure they will be okay for tonight if they've got each other to stay warm. You could give them some cooked oatmeal or cooked rice in the morning as a treat. It helps them to stay warm. It's been quite cold here, too. Right now it's about 9 degrees F (-12 ish Celsius, I think) Our birds (chickens and turkeys) all cram together in our little coop and it stays nice and warm in there. It's quite a trick to try and find everyone when I look in there.

 

[JohnPeel]

Wow, that is cold there. It does get to as low as -15c here, but it doesnt last long, only a few days. I can imagine that big ball of birds huddled together

. I suppose my staying up isnt helping them any, so I think I will hit the sack. Thanks