Why Have Chickens, Anyway?

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of backyard chickens. I’ve had a small flock of my own for almost two years and it’s been a fantastic adventure! But I’m here to dispel some myths about having chickens. Why get chickens, anyway? Check out my video at the end, too!

This information comes from my experience, my research, and my surveying of other chicken lovers in the south Texas area. Find your tribe!

And hey, if you want to know what it’s really like to have chickens, check out my article about the biggest myths in having a backyard flock.

Why Have Chickens: The Bad

Ok, let’s get all of the negative things out of the way first. The big thing for us was the cost upfront to have chickens. Understandably, you have to get all of the equipment and food and supplies before you’re ready to take care of these little fluff balls. And the scenario is the same if you start with fully grown birds. If you want to know what it looks like financially to have chickens, check out my honest article here. It’s not going to be more than $400 if you are conservative and shop around, but that’s still a lot all at once.

The next thing was a bit difficult for me to get used to: when you have chickens, they live outside. I grew up in a home with cats, dogs, fish, and assorted other pets throughout the years. But they were all indoor pets. It’s very strange when your chicks go move outside full time – you worry about them, miss them, and go visit them! For me it was just a mental thing. I make sure that I go outside and just “hang out” with my birds at least once every few days, besides just doing my chicken chores, because I honestly just like being around them.

As your birds get older, they won’t lay an egg every day. And this knocks out two of those negatives about having chickens: Your birds become less productive with age, but you still have to take care of them. Chicken manufacturing plants and egg farms will cull, or kill, a chicken once they’re about a year old (less if it’s a meat bird) because their cost effectiveness goes down with age. But I hope that you, dear reader, would keep your chickens and let them live a long, natural life. So just be aware that there may not be as many eggs as your hen ages, but she’s still a living thing and she deserves to live!

It’s true that eggs are not expensive but neither is having a small flock in your backyard. The fact that I know that my eggs are coming from loved, organically fed, happy chickens is absolutely priceless. Also I believe in co-existing with what provides for me and I could never eat an egg knowing that chicken’s life was hell. Providing my children and teaching them how to provide for themselves is the most rewarding experience. Plus chickens are awesome.

Gigi G., san antonio backyard chickens

Talking about eggs some more, you’ll probably see a slow down in the winter, too. See, chickens need about 12 hours of good sunlight, plus access to food and water and a safe place to lay, if they’re going to pop out an egg. Those shorter winter days mean that their body goes into “conserve mode” – making an egg just isn’t at the top of their priority list, though you may disagree! So expect to see less eggs in the winter. But when that beautiful warm sun comes out in the spring, get ready to be egged full time again!

The last two points are rare but I felt they should be mentioned. If you’re here to learn about chickens as pets, there’s a chance that you have kids (or you at least want your birds to be friendly, and maaaaybe even cuddly). To that I say, do your research. Some breeds like Easter Eggers – a hybrid bird which lays Easter-colored eggs like blue or pink – tend to be flighty; other breeds like silkies and sex links have a reputation for being friendlier birds. But even then you may just get a bird who isn’t friendly. It’s a risk as with any animal, but you can get suggestions on breeds to help you find a chicken who’s perfect for your situation. (I have a video about picking the right breed too, if you’re interested!)

Finally, be aware that chickens can sometimes get sick or injured. There are predators, highly contagious respiratory illnesses, parasites, and bullies. Do your research and pay attention to your birds to help minimize anything that can hurt or kill them. Chickens are prey, and they’re highly sensitive to respiratory issues, plus they’ll try to hide any weakness due to flock mentality. (And don’t get me started on pecking order, which is a real thing.) 

The best thing you can do if you want to have chickens is to do research, watch videos, and ask questions. You can also search for local chicken fanatic groups (I adore mine on Facebook) who know how to raise chickens in your area. Finally, when you do have chickens, spend time with them to get to know them and so you can catch any issues early.

Why Have Chickens: The Good

This section is going to be much longer, I promise! These are all the reasons why we love having chickens at our house. 

Firstly, the actual things that they give your family are fantastic. Eggs! Meat! Compost in the form of poop! There’s nothing like a fresh egg. You can see the difference on my comparison kitchen video, but just tasting the difference between fresh and store bought eggs is indescribable. Smooth, creamy, even people who don’t like eggs love fresh eggs! 

Yes eggs are cheap but they don’t taste nearly as good. I like knowing that my food is humanely raised. That’s a big thing for our family, trying to minimize our cruelty… Chickens become our pets, they’re not just livestock. To us they’re the same as a cat or dog, except they have plumage in place of fur.

Amanda M., san antonio backyard chickens

Additionally, you know where these eggs (and these chickens) are from: they’re happy birds who get sunshine, who are treated humanely, who aren’t forced to lay more eggs by mechanical means, who get to free range or eat treats, etc. And by eating fresh eggs instead of buying store-bought, you’re refusing to support the horrible conditions those factory chickens have to live in. 

Giving a quality life to a living thing is a precious gift, and a beautiful feeling.

As you get to know your chickens, you really learn about their distinct personalities. Some chickens are bossy, some sassy, some cuddly, and some a bit spastic. They’re hilarious to watch and they’ll snuggle their way into your heart, I promise!

I adore watching my kids with our chickens. While my birds probably see my children as tiny walking treat dispensers, my kids have loved caring for these birds since the time they were little chicks. Having chickens is a great experience for families as you all work together, teach responsibility and the duty of caring for a little life. The chickens don’t need much to thrive and they’ll repay you with eggs, laughs, and affection. And poop.

I don’t know how to explain this, so maybe some of you who have had pets can word it better for me in the comments. I feel like when you have chickens, they understand what you do for them. I had a bird who had bumblefoot on both feet and I had to go out in the middle of the night for a few weeks to care for her. At first she panicked (she’d been a wild rescue bird I adopted so she was a bit afraid of people anyway), but after a few nights of our bath-dry-medicate-wrap routine, she’d totally relax. I even would cradle her in my arms, on her back like a little baby. Looking into those prehistoric eyes, I swear that she knew that what I was doing was to help her. I’d whisper quietly to her in the dark that I loved her and never wanted to hurt nor scare her, that I promised to always care for her and do what was best for her. Even now, a few months later, she and I have our little moments. And in her gaze I know she remembers, and she understands. (And now I’m all teary-eyed over a damn chicken I got for free. See what I mean?!)

We like knowing where our food comes from and we have the ability to allow our flocks to free range. This varied diet is what largely results in a much more flavorful egg… Then there is the fresh factor. On average, eggs can take up to 45 days to hit the grocery store shelves… For most of us too our flocks are like family/pets and in my opinion, no different than dogs or cats when it comes to family interaction and cuddles.

Barbara J., san antonio backyard chickens

I love having my chicken youtube channel and my chicken content here on RSM because I love expanding awareness and education about backyard chickens. Locally, people ask me all the time about my chickens because I have my ridiculous chicken shirts and chicken decals on my car. Yes you can have chickens if you live in a neighborhood. Yes they’re amazing. Yes they’re easy to take care of. And yes they’re so fun!

If you have chickens I promise you won’t be bored. They’ll even combat depression – knowing that those birds are outside waiting on you to feed them, that they need you, is a reason to get out of bed in the morning. That’s why some senior centers are getting chickens for the residents! It’s such a great idea. Chicken therapy. In some ways, that’s the most beautiful reason for someone to have chickens. They might just save your life, or at least give it more meaning.

If you don’t have chickens yet, tell me in the comments what questions or thoughts you have; and if you do have chickens, tell us all about why you love them!

And here’s the video version on why you should have chickens!