People and their attachments to their hens

[Hilary B]

I see what you're saying...but cannot agree. I don't believe it's about 'investing' time or emotion...it's just about experiencing life...in all it's forms...no matter how brief a moment you share with a living creature...it's a moment well spent.

Does the length of time you 'invest' in something make the entire experience more rewarding to the soul? A moment is a long time...if you only spend a day with your chicken...you've loved it and cared for it it's entire lifetime.

It may not be a long time...but it's a lifetime...and for me, I can't give those feeling only to things that will give me the longest/greatest amount of time.

People and animals affect me in whatever way they affect me...and I give them my time and energy freely...regardless of how much I get back, because I want to...because it makes me value my time spent with them...because it makes us all better people!

When I let something deeply into my heart, if I lose it 'before its time', I can't cope with that sort of thing. I've been there, and I know how it affects me. I can be fond of short-term creatures, but at a shallower level, that is how I HAVE to be. (and after keeping a hundred or so sheep for 12 years or more, and losing some during lambing each year, if I didn't keep my emotional attachment to them a bit 'distant', I would have gone totally off my rocker! There were sheep I wept for, but it was nothing to how I felt when I lost my last dog.)

[lesleygl]

Hilary B and Bephlam - you genuinely have brought tears to my heart.. this is just how I feel about my animals and pets I have lost over the years xx

[mr darcy]

I see what you're saying...but cannot agree. I don't believe it's about 'investing' time or emotion...it's just about experiencing life...in all it's forms...no matter how brief a moment you share with a living creature...it's a moment well spent.

Does the length of time you 'invest' in something make the entire experience more rewarding to the soul? A moment is a long time...if you only spend a day with your chicken...you've loved it and cared for it it's entire lifetime.

It may not be a long time...but it's a lifetime...and for me, I can't give those feeling only to things that will give me the longest/greatest amount of time.

People and animals affect me in whatever way they affect me...and I give them my time and energy freely...regardless of how much I get back, because I want to...because it makes me value my time spent with them...because it makes us all better people!

these are totally the emotions i feel,i couldn't have worded it better!
and it's better to have loved and lost than.....

[BUFFS]

although we got our chooks for the same reason as you,their stupid antics are very amusing,like the time one of mine rode round the yard on the back of our equally stupid spaniel for a considerable time.to see them come running (in their peculiar way) when i shake the corn tin.i have no problem about culling any that are needed,but their ways always bring a smile to my face,just enjoy them for what they are,egglayers with a good meal at the end(if wanted),i will let mine go into retirement when their laying days are done,by then they will have earned it.

[Snadger]

) i will let mine go into retirement when their laying days are done,by then they will have earned it.

Fifteen of mine are in there fourth year which I would have thought would be there retirement years but I am still getting 10 eggs from them each day!
Just goes to prove that chooks bred for the battery can have a long and productive life if they are shown a bit of kindness!

[RichmondHens]

4 years old for a battery hen is good Snadge. I'm breeding meat birds from my 3 and 4 year old sussex crosses this year. They have all come into lay in the last 10 days or so, having had the winter off, bless 'em.

[tlck9]

I would have agreed with you when I first started to consider keeping chickens. They are their to provide eggs and as Long as I keep them clean, fed and watered then they will be just fine.....then I got them

I believe they are smarter than we give them credit, they tell me if I forgot to raise the pop hole after cleaning. The come far quicker for treats than my springer ever does and they know when you are in a rush!

I am a pet person. My chucks have names (my hubby did that!) and I have had him make them a posh new house, with a shelter for their food, a slide and a tunnel and I'm laughed at because they have so much to do

However, although not tremendously cuddly, my souffle would peck you as soon as get cuddled, but cluckcluck wanders around with you until you pick her up and talk to her.

All respond to my voice and will come running to see or jump up onto the perch when we come. and the best bit....if I have a stressful day, I sit on one of the perches and watch them, scratching around, they will sometimes come and jump on my lap and they come listern to me gabble on about how rubbish my days been

They have become the best stress busters I can imagine and I love them, albeit they have caused me more stress in terms of illness, losing two and buying this powder and that powder

[Bephlam]

Oh they are not stupid...our cockerel...Bill, tells us when the girls have run out of water! He crows and crows whilst standing next to the drinker...before pausing and watching the kitchen door to see if it opens...if not, he repeats his routine until we respond!

So demanding...!

[Flummery]

Mine are pets and we have a mutually beneficial relationship!
They are very curious creatures and when I'm cleaning the house out they all come up the ladder to have a look and 'help' me. They are endlessly amusing and I'm very fond of them - if that makes me a soppy date, then soppy date I am!

[its hilly]

I'm dead practical with all my animals, they get well cared for but not turned into mini humans, cos its what they are that gives me such enjoyment. Just watching my foal growing up is amazing, Im learning something new about horses constantly. I've had dogs and horses since my childhood, all with different characters and all missed in different ways...but still all missed.
But..
I can loose time so easily watching my chooks, they are all so different in character. From the ones I have to catch with the landing net cos they wont let me pick them up (although they sit there with a 'can we get it over with' expression once caught and dont fuss) through Splat (who wont be caught but talks himself hoarse at me) to Moonshine, who literally sits on my foot, and spends loads of time tucked under my arm cos its easier than keep falling over her and Snadger, who doesnt want picking up but follows me everywhere. And of course the geese who are SOOO clever, and conversational, and insist on 'helping' with everything I do..and its hard tieing a knot in a bit of string when theres a big oranbe bill untieing it just as fast

[petal]

There is something quite relaxing about watching chickens, you have to spend time with them to create a bond, don't you? I never expected them to have different 'personalities'. I must admit , I view the fattening cockerels in a colder, distant light to my layers.(no cuddles and silly names....) I think that is a coping mechanism - you can't get emotionally attached to something you are going to eat!

[RichmondHens]

There is something quite relaxing about watching chickens, you have to spend time with them to create a bond, don't you? I never expected them to have different 'personalities'. I must admit , I view the fattening cockerels in a colder, distant light to my layers.(no cuddles and silly names....) I think that is a coping mechanism - you can't get emotionally attached to something you are going to eat!

I spend loads of time watching mine (when I should be doing something else of course). And watching them when they are healthy and normal means you are quickly alerted when something is "not quite right".

I have to say though, we still name most of our fattening cocks, if only to tell them apart. I also get attached to most of them (although some less than others) and they get a last cuddle before the deed is done. I'll often say something like "sorry mate, the time has come now" as well!