Is Keeping Chickens Even Worth It?

My wife had never had chickens. So while going through cancer treatments I got her some. We're now eating our own pickled eggs. How cool is that?😊😊😊

We've had chickens for 5 years - I built coops and a huge run for them. We adore our chickens, care for them daily, and have endured many heartbreaking times with coyote, hawk, disease incidents. The eggs are wonderful - and we give away extras to family, friends, and neighbours. Keeping chickens is a joy in an increasingly distressing world. We would never get rid of them.

I have 24 chickens and I know them all by name. I can even tell them apart just by the sound of their voice. They're great.

As the owner of the BackYardChickens website, I especially liked this episode of Epic Gardening! Great looking flocks, and LOTS of fantastic info!!!!

Keeping chickens here in Jamaica has saved us a bunch on eggs and definitely teaches the kids responsibility and how to care for others. Got our first batch of eggs hopefully hatching soon!

3:04 Chickens absolutely learn what’s toxic and what’s not. My chickens used to love to eat and would actively hunt mice. Then I got a couple of kittens who liked to catch shrews, though they didn’t eat them, which is a good thing because shrews are highly toxic to cats. But I’d throw the deceased shrews outside, and apparently they didn’t agree with the hens, either, because before long they not only refused the shrews but stopped eating mice as well. What I found interesting was that this behavior continued for multiple generations, even though I brought in quite a few new hens from unrelated sources - apparently the incoming hens learned from the “native” hens that eating mouse-shaped creatures was inadvisable.

The only answer that really matters is whether or not it makes you happy to raise chickens because happiness is priceless.

We've lost hens over the last 7 yrs. three to predators and one that was old. (we keep a small flock 3-4) but we enjoy them so much that we will still name them, because they are part of the family. We know they may not live long but then again they could...our oldest was 7 when she died. They provide a lot of gossip about the neighbors which is the best part of the day.

One of my favorite pastimes is to feed the chickens something different or odd and watch their reactions. They all gather around and talk about it as they try it. And if they like it then here come the rest of them all cackling and making funny noises. Then I have to translate what they’re saying for the kids. 😅 We get the best laughs of our day from the chickens sometimes. Love ‘em! Good video 👍

I notice many of us here enjoy these calm moments… I sometimes record little peaceful garden scenes too, maybe they could bring the same comfort to someone.