04/05/2025
As I sit here this evening with another chicken in my shower, it got me thinking…
This is Red. She recently turned 5 years old and I doubt she is giving us anymore eggs. But she gave my family so many eggs in her prime. She also gave my kids lots of joy to watch her grow up, and she continues to do that job very well even in her senior years.
She (and 49 of her friends) get the highest quality food and daily treats. She gets fresh heated water all winter. She lives in a huge warm stall with lots of dry clean shavings. She has a run built like Fort Knox which is covered in clear plastic for the winter to provide a warm dry exercise area.
With all the chicken craze this year, I wonder how many people are thinking of the commitment chickens require. What will happen to those chicks once they out grow the brooder in the house? Or when the kids loose interest? What will happen when winter comes and having a warm home or an owner needing to go outside multiple times a day doesn’t sound so fun anymore? What will happen in a year or 2 when their eggs production drastically decreases?
As a breeder, I try to ensure my chicks go to homes that understand the longterm commitment chickens require. I am here to answer questions and provide support for anyone! I can only hope that everyone selling their straight-run backyard mixes can do the same.
But for now, I will sit with Red in my bathroom to give her a little extra TLC while she recovers from whatever has her feeling a little dumpy today!
