Will chickens help my depression?

[JohnPeel]

Well its been 5 days and no eggs. Just plenty of poop in the nest boxes and everywhere else. The trap door to the run underneath is open all the time, but they don't want to go down there yet. I hope they arent getting my depression.

I will give it a couple more days and then I am going to grab them all and put them in the run underneath and see if they find their way back up again on their own. I might also put something in from of the nest boxes like cloth or plastic so they have to push through it to get in the nest boxes.

4 of them are using the roost but the other two are sleeping in the nest boxes, then they are all cramming and scratching in the nest boxes in the day. I may have to get a couple of golf balls in there too. Im sure they will be OK. It is really cold and they have been through a bit of an upset getting settled in.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Don't worry John , when the time and weather are right they will lay.( these things take time). I have a park bench near my coop & every morning I take my cuppa and sit with my chickens. They sit on my knee, foot shoulder , in fact any where they feel comfortable. Today my little bantam " twitter" jumped on my angora goats back ,who was enjoying a scratch. She wondered along her back scratching in the wool having a great time. It brings joy to my heart to see such things. " true friends leave paw prints on your heart" .

 

[JohnPeel]

The bench sounds like a great idea. I put all 6 of them in the lower run today, and only 2 have made it back up so far. Getting dark and cold too and can only hope they find their way to bed or get through the night without their roost.

 

[gryeyes]

Depression runs in my family, I discovered after being diagnosed. I was very chary about meds (law enforcement dispatcher at the time - agency and personnel with huge fears of any mood-altering drugs and all that stigma) but the chemical imbalance was finally mitigated. Then I got breast cancer.

Years after treatment I was able to change my whole life, relocated, changed job responsibilities, and two years later started keeping chickens. I'll be on anti-depression and other meds for life but oh, MY did those silly birds do so much for me! For one, my physician reduced my hypertension medication dosage because I needed less of it - those chickens brought down my BP!

Additionally, the BYC community is such a boon. I am in and out of so many different forums here there is always "someplace" for me to share or glean something: poultry needs, photographs and stories to enjoy, recipes to try, silliness for humor's sake, and it's available 24 hours a day so there's something to take me out of myself regardless of the hour.

My varied flock (chickens of so many different breeds, ducks - which are joyous critters, always smiling -really, look at a duck's bill - a couple geese and 3 turkeys) lifts my spirit several times a day. They are pets, all named. Losses are particularly hard on me, but for some reason, those events have helped ground me as I realize Bad Things Happen and I can still go on. There is always something to come which will cheer me again.

Wait until you discern each of your hens' personalities! They are individuals within the dynamics of flock behavior. When a chicken falls asleep in your lap, there's nothing like it. Such trust from a feathered bit of livestock. I carry on conversations with mine all the time.

Welcome to BYC and to your new, chicken-improved life!

 

[JohnPeel]

I am glad to see such a great outcome to such a bad illness. I am very happy for you.

I feel a bit better already since I got these birds just last Friday. I am forever checking on them and watching what they do. Your right, each one seems to have a place in the gang.

I was worried earlier that only 2 of them had found their way back into the coop from the run underneath, Noodle and Korma, but just as it was getting dark, they all started getting really active. The ones in the run were going from one side of the run to the other, and Noodle and Korma above were doing the same.

Then Korma went back down the ladder, ran to the other side and back, then climbed back up the ladder and into the coop. It seemed to be showing the others how to get up to roost, and it worked, the rest followed in single file. It was amazing and I was so glad that none were left in the cold run for the night.

 

[sourland]

I think that we can soon rename this thread "The story of John Peel's healing chickens."

It's sounding good, John.

 

[canesisters]

I've just found this thread and am going to follow to see how much fun you and your chickens have.

I have a chair out in my run and go out there every day to sit with them. Most of them just come to eat the scratch but the 2 speckled sussex's hop up in the chair with me. One likes to sit on the back of the chair and preen my hair. It is 'balm for my soul' when I've had a bad day and she sits up there purring and chatting.
I tell people all the time that it's soothing like an aquarium - the constant motion and the pretty patterns and colors. Except that I can pick up and cuddle my fluffy 'fish'. And of course there's the eggs...

 

[chickenzoo]

I suffer from depression also, and due to illness can not have children. I enjoy my chickens and fowl so much, they have truly helped me. I am always thinking of new things for them, watching all the silly things they do and petting and holding them. I also have a Silkie house chicken.....but thats another story. Chickens are truly entertaining.
They will lay when they get adjusted......and they will learn where to roost and a box is for egg laying...not sleeping in. They probably never have seen a roost and the nest box probably makes them feel safe as they were use to a cage. Give it time....their learning experiences will give you more entertainment...lol

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I have just posted a comment on one of my threads to someone who made me think it might be a good idea to post a new thread asking others if they had found some relaxation and help with their depression from their chickens.

Will the chickens help me do you think, or am I just doomed to continue taking all kinds of meds for ever. These chickens have got their work cut out I can tell you

When I first got my chickens I was suffering from depression badly. I would lay in bed all day. I was distance from my kids and husband. I just shut myself away. I closed myself off ffrom friends and family and cried all the time. When my hubby told me to go ahead and go pick out some chickens I brought them home and introduced them to their new home and everyday was wonderful after that. I had a reason to get out of bed, I had something that wanted my attention and I spent my whole day out there with them. A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders a new light shone down on me. I smiled again and even laughed. My meds are reduced and I lost 60 pounds. They are the best thing that ever happened to me.

 

[tgooberbutt]

John - do you let your chickens free range or run around the yard? Is it safe where you are to let them do that?

PS - I love the names of your chickens! haha! Korma