Today was a beautiful Virginia day π The sun was shining, it was warm (but not hot), my husband was out mowing the lawn, the chickens were out pecking at the grass clippings, and the dogs were playing. It was one of those days that make you smile and feel blessed. As I was outside watering the garden and my newly potted vegetable seeds I was thinking of all the reasons I love to live on some land and why I love having chickens. I thought I would share my top 10 reasons I love chickens.
10. The eggs
9. Chicken noises
8. Raising the chickens from babies
7. Knowing my eggs are fresh
6. They way “the girls” run to us when we go into the yard
5. My egg basket
4. They eat bug of all kinds (especially the stink bugs we hate)
3. Collecting the eggs
2. The comedy of watching the chickens in the yard
1. Did I mention the Eggs ???
What are your favorite reasons for having chickens? If you don’t have chickens, yet want them,Β what is your top reasons for wanting chickens?
This totally sums up why my kids love their chickens too (and I have to admit that I kinda like them). Great post and especially great pictures.
Thank you so much, I really enjoyed taking the pictures today. I am so glad your kids love their chikens that is such a great thing for them π
Oh how I miss having chickens! I grew up with them and have great childhood memories of spending time in the pasture watching them. They all have such different personalities and are such fun to watch. My wonderful mom even let my sister and I bring our favorite ones in the house to sit on a towel and watch tv with us for short times when we were feeling under the weather. And you are right – the eggs are way better than any store bought ones.
My husband is not a bird person and we live on a little over an acre that is mostly forested so not ideal for wandering chickens, as I alway picture pastures of grass and a nice large chicken coop.
Very nice post, thank you for the walk down memory lane. π
I apperciate your comment. I am so glad my post took you to a happy childhood memory… my blog job is done for the day π Maybe you can have chickens again someday. Until then feel free to use my blog to connect to the chickens π
Our first batch of chicks just turned two weeks old yesterday, and they are hilarious! I’m determined to turn Yolko into a lap chicken, Beaker enjoys pecking at my boyfriend’s arm hair, Ono likes to faceplant into piles of food when she sleeps, and Henrietta likes to test out her wings. Newest cute trick? Playing keep away with worms from the garden.
Very cute… I remember those days of baby chicks. Have so much fun with them, they grow quickly. Thanks for the input I wish you the best with your chicks π
I love their personalities!
Definitely a good point π
I love watching our chickens hen peck and play with the other farm animals…especially our mangy old goat! It’s also very rewarding to watch my youngest son beam with pride over his latest egg find or new biddies.
I am so happy your son loves hunting eggs… that is so great π Sounds we love the same things about our chickens π
Oh, where to start? First of all, yes, the eggs (obviously!) but the way they actually bond with you, and you with them. It happens easier when you’re younger of course, but still, I love it when chickens come running. What a great sound and sight!
I agree 100% π
Oh, man! I grew up having chickens that we raised from babies and, ahem, used for meat during the winter. Having those chickens was pretty much the best thing ever and I’m constantly plotting ways we can sneak them into our city neighborhood. π My favorite thing about having chickens is how they look like a big gossipy group of old ladies when they walk around the yard…they’re hilarious! Love your blog!
I agree that is how the look… how funny. Thanks for visiting π
Days that make you feel blessed…nice thought!
I thought so. Glad you stopped by π
Couldn’t agree more, I love our hens and the eggs they lay and they are funny.
Reason No 11, selling the eggs to friends and neighbours and using the egg money to pay for feed!!
I love reason number 11. We are close to being able to do that. π
I have wanted a chicken forever!! I always buy the “no cage” eggs because I cant eat the others, it worries me! I almost bought a chick last year but my mum talked me out of it because I’m in college & don’t live in a home with the space they require. Someday I’ll have my own chickens, until then I will just admire yours:) so lovely.
You are welcome anytime to check out the chicks. Let me knwo if I need to post more pics of them. Keep working in college.. you will then have what you need to get a job and then maybe your own space to have chickens. I have my BA and MA and it is worth it. π Thanks for the comment.
This is great! Chickens are amazing…and luckily I have been able to experience them since my parents got them a few months ago. I’m glad you agree with the comedy of watching chickens…what great creatures! AND of course the eggs are the best part.
Glad you liked my post and stopped by.
I would love to have chickens! The way they look in a yard gives it a sense hominess, if that makes sense. Not to mention the fresh eggs are amazing. I bought them from a local farmer for a while but he stopped selling. π¦ I hope to have a chickens someday. Have to build our house first, though.
We do enjoy them for the entertainment and the eggs. We sell a few if we get more then we need to my co-workers and our friends. I hope you can have chickens someday. I had them as a child, but it took me quite a few years for my husband and i to get them again as we wanted to have the space for them to free range. Good luck with your house π
I adore my chickens too, for all of the reasons you listed π I would just add happiness in watching them come running for watermelon.
LOL… ours come running for whatever treats we have… good add.
Very true. Just something a little more excited about their clucking and sprinting when they see it’s something special though π
Defiently π
I love them for reasons 10, 8, 6.4
Thanks for the comment. π
For me, it is the connection to nature. The “Giving Back” part. I get to take care of my ladies and they entertain me and give me eggs. I love to share my egg bounty with friends and neighbors. People really are excited and grateful for the eggs. I had no idea how much so when I first started my chickens.
I hear what you mean. Thats why I like the eggs so much… they provide opportunities to share.
And the sharing part – for me – is what really keeps a smile on my face. An attitude of gratitude goes a long way!
You are right… just the way God would have us live π
Chickens are just easy. Feed them good simple grain, let them root around for bugs, and give them ample water/shelter. You get REAL eggs that you know are first class. Never a problem getting someone to care for them when you are away once they sample the taste of farm fresh eggs. Wish I could have some again.
Pablo
Glad you enjoyed the post π
There is NOTHING like farmer fresh, organic eggs. Once you have one you can’t buy the white, steroid eggs in the grocery store ever again! If i lived in the country I would have chickens too.
Thats why I am so glad we could live in the semi country I love the animals and space. I see the farmers markets in our area have farm eggs, if you have one in your area I would check it out.. I just love farmers markets π
I adore my chickens. Especially the way they run, like lady football players in hoop skirts. And the way they jump for treats, like basketball players at the tip off. Have you read Gary Whitehead’s poem, “A Glossary of Chickens”? It captures them so well.
I have not read that yet I will check it out. Thanks for the comment π
This was so sweet:) It made me feel so warm and fuzzy:) ps… I love eggs!!!
I am so happy you enjoyed this post. It seems to be my most popular. If you lived near me my neighbors would tell you I do share my eggs when we can π
Thanks for stopping by our page π PS I want chickens!!! Maybe when we move to a house and have some land! I was thinking about finding a farm close to us that sells eggs. Yes please to fresh eggs! π
I am glad you came by too π Hope you can get some chickens when you get a house. They are fun π Hope you can find a place ot get fresh eggs near you π
My mom has told a story many times of the morning when she reluctantly left the farm to come to the “big city” to work. A loud rooster outside her window woke her and she thought, “Why do I want to leave here?”
She is right it is hard work, but hard to trade in for another life. The country is calmer and more peacefull. I hope she is able to go back π Thanks for the lovely comment.
Several years ago, I worked at a petting farm and I was around the chickens a lot. I loved it. I never realized how sweet the hens are and how much they love being held. Most of the time they fell asleep in my arms! I adore all animals but I love telling people about my experiences with those sweet chickens.
Hens can be sweet and let you hold them as long as you raise them from chicks usually as they get use to being held a lot. Our girls follow us all around and want to be peted and will peck you sometimes till you pay attention to them and give them a pet. It’s so funny. I am glad you had such a good experience with hens π Thanks for sharing π