6 Benefits of Raising Children with Chickens
Whenever I let my chickens out to free-range and graze, my 5-year-old daughter just loves them so much. As a child with limited impulse control like most children, she just wants to be close to them. She wants to pet them, hold them, and show them, love, in the ways she knows how.
What the chickens see is a predictor trying to grab them. They instinctively run in terror and now their very survival depends on not being caught by this small human. However, they will come up to me. When I just sit. Not paying them any attention. That’s when they become comfortable. When the intensity isn’t there.
As I move through life I feel this intensity. Intensity to get things done. To grab at life and make harsh fast movements. Whirl winding from one thing to the next. “I have to get this done and this, then this!” A ball of anxiety feeling like I’m doing a million things and never getting anything done. Or trying so hard to catch just one, but missing everything. What if life is the chickens? And we are the little girl trying to grab it?
If we sat calmly with life and ourselves, would life come to us? I love raising my child with animals because I feel like she can learn so much about life. However, watching them can also teach me a thing or two. Maybe in this season of life, it’s time for me to sit calmly and trust what is meant to come to me, will. It’s so hard as mothers to acknowledge when we need to slow down. The phrase goes, “stop and smell the roses.” I think I might go with, “Sit still and let the chickens come to you.”
Raising backyard chickens for your children is packed with so many valuable life lessons. It has lots of profound benefits. It’s something for the entire family and everyone can learn and grow. It’s just an overall great lesson on life and something I think every family should do if possible. Unlike your average pet chickens are multipurpose. They can be pets, produce food, or be food. This makes them all the more fascinating and educational. I’m so passionate about children learning from animals and chickens are definitely one of my top favorite pets for kids. I hope you take away great information and for anyone out there trying to convince their spouse, I hope this gives you some more leverage.
1st Benefits of Raising Children with Chickens, Unplugging.
Having farm animals to care for in your own backyard, just brings you and your child closer to nature. It’s the amazing benefit of being outside! The fresh air and sunshine are good for the soul. And because you have to be outside to care for them, fewer distractions, and no electronics. It’s just you, your children, and taking care of these animals together. It can be a family affair, everyone can get outside more! Life has the ability to slow down. You can observe the natural world around us. It helps get your kids off their phones, tablets, and video games. Chickens are a great way to unplug and take a break from our modern world.
2nd Benefits of Raising Children with Chickens, Empathy and Respect.
Unlike dogs (and maybe some cats), chickens aren’t people pleasers. They are very naturally programmed and not much is going to change that. To be able to coexist and take care of your chickens, Children are going to have to think like a chicken. It’s a great opportunity to teach children to accept something is different than them, and figure out how to work with that. As a child learns to empathize with chickens (and with adult guidance) They can learn to respect them for the animals they are, not what they want them to be. Not as glorified toys, but a living thing, a chicken that does chicken things. It’s not to say chickens aren’t great pets, they’re just different than any other pet, it’s chicken love. Working with different types of animals has the great benefits of helping children grow strategies to adapt and view things from different perspectives. Tools that can help even in adulthood, as they navigate different types of personalities.
3rd Benefits of Raising Backyard Chickens with Children, Responsibilities.
Once you’re up and running, and they have become adult chickens, they’re pretty low maintenance. The biggest cost is the chicken coop, but with a small flock of chickens, it doesn’t have to be crazy. However, they do need care, and it’s a great job for kids. Again, caring for them gets your kids outside. There are the daily chores of needing fresh chicken feed, clean water, eggs to be collected, pen cleaned out every so often, and some TLC for the chickens themselves. Small children will love to help with feeding and watering. Chickens love getting kitchen scraps of approved foods. It’s a great way to have less food waste! While cleaning up the pen may be a job for older kids, everyone will enjoy handling the chickens and collecting fresh eggs! (more on that in our 4th benefit) Kids can also learn about hygiene. With chickens, handwashing becomes automatic. You can even make a “Chicken Chores” task board, children will take so much pride in being chicken owners. Having a routine of responsibilities caring for chickens will give your children structure and an understanding of hard work.
4th Benefits of Raising Children with Chickens, Understanding Where Food Comes From.
I can not express in words how much my daughter enjoys collecting delicious eggs. It’s like a surprise every morning! It’s pretty amazing, all the different colors chicken eggs can come in,
with a variety of different breeds. My daughter also loves the process of collecting eggs, then straight to the frying pan. Bring love and interest to cooking too. With pride in the ability to crack eggs to perfection (no shells in the bowl). Having chickens to provide your family with eggs is one of the easiest ways to produce your own food and I feel like one of the best benefits. Some people do also raise meat chickens, leading us to our 5th benefit….
5th Benefits of Raising Children with Chickens, Learning the Circle of Life.
As mentioned, your kids can learn the cycle of life by raising (maybe even hatching your baby chicks) and eating your chickens. Hatching your eggs is an amazing way to teach the life cycle of a chicken. Having meat birds is a very personal choice for parents. No judgment from me, if this is right for your family. It can teach a very unique kind of respect. Respect for where your food comes from and the important role the animal’s life provides. Believe me, most people that depend on these animals for food, are going to respect them. However, you may need to make clear the difference between animals for food and family pets.
But even if you don’t plan to eat your chickens, a chicken passing, is likely to happen sooner or later. Everything wants to eat chickens. Predators are always waiting for their opportunity. From hawks, foxes, your neighbor’s dog, your own dog!
Chickens can get sick. They’re pretty hardy animals in adulthood, but it does happen. It’s sometimes hard to catch because they don’t like to show weakness. When you do finally realize, the sickness could progress quickly.
This may be a con, but it does open the door to discussing life and death. Appreciating the time we do have together, trying to focus on the good times. While also giving your children the emotional room to grieve and have big feelings. Having these big moments can shine a big light on how to navigate little people with big feelings. You’ll probably be learning something about yourself too.
6th Benefits of Keeping Chickens for Kids, It’s Fun Bonding Time!
Chickens are goofballs. They’re so intelligent in some ways and other ways… they’re not. But either way, it can be pretty entertaining family fun. I can sit and watch the chickens all day. It gives my daughter and me an activity to do together. My father and I created our bond over animals too. Starting with chickens. It’s fun, a lot of work, stressful, messy, exciting, and comical, it’s chicken life. But I promise it’s a time your children will never forget and a lifestyle that I hope continues for future generations.
Disclaimer
As always keep animal and children’s safety in mind. Never leave young children unattended or in charge of pets. Even though it’s great to raise kids and pets together adult supervision and participation are important. Small children can accidentally hurt small animals and lack impulse control. Adult chickens can possibly hurt or traumatize a young kid. Chickens can carry parasites and illnesses that can be contagious to humans. Be mindful of what small children put in their mouths and require handwashing. I would also have chicken coop designated shoes that don’t come inside. Children can help and love to help care for animals, but ultimately the well-being of these animals are the parents’ and caretakers’ responsibility. In other words, don’t commit to an animal unless you are willing to care for it yourself.
