Four Benefits of Chicken Watching
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Chicken Watching: I'd hazard a guess and say that all pet chicken owners do it. Probably fairly often. And most backyard chicken keepers will tell you that chickens are more entertaining than TV---and far more relaxing!
So why am I writing about "chicken watching" rather than just "chicken keeping," you might ask?
Simple: chicken keeping is not necessarily an activity associated with PET chickens alone. You can keep 60,000 chickens crowded together in a battery farm warehouse, and see none of the benefits of pet ownership. Or you can have three pet hens and be active in providing genuinely good and humane pet care--AND see the benefits of your compassion and affection reflected back at you and your family. Plus, in this post, I wanted to address more than just the tangible benefits of pet chicken keeping (healthy, fresh eggs; reduced bug populations; compost, etc.). There's more to it than that.
The Benefits of Chicken Watching
- When you're chicken watching, you can be there in the present moment, observing the way they interact, rather than dwelling too much on the stress of a work situation, vehicle repairs, or any of the innumerable slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Keeping pets such as chickens can sharpen your mindfulness skills. And while this is a benefit you get from keeping any sort of pet, chicken watching seems especially helpful in my opinion, because they're so active with one another. My cats are darling... but adult cats aren't that active, and it's not especially engaging to watch them sleep.
- Chicken watching gets you out of doors. Modern life makes it so easy to slip into the unhealthy rut of work, sleep, digital world; work, sleep, digital world. It's effortless to sit in front of the TV or a computer screen, eat unhealthy foods and gain weight. However, chicken watching begs for interaction: toss out some scratch and watch the hens enjoy. Turn over rocks and help them find bugs. Rake up their dusting area; let them out of their run; feed them from your hand; give them affection; gather eggs, etc. etc. Keeping chickens is nothing near exhausting or difficult, but keeping outdoor animals like chickens (rather than in-home pets like cats, hamsters, etc.) does encourage you to get outside the same way keeping a dog encourages outside time for daily walks.
- Caring for pets like chickens offers many health benefits, beyond those of getting much healthier eggs. Chicken watching can lower your blood pressure, your cholesterol and your triglyceride levels, as well as reducing feelings of loneliness. Chickens are surprisingly affectionate!
- Lastly, of course, chicken watching allows you to notice when a hen might be sick, so you can take action and keep your flock healthy. After all, if you don't know what your chickens act like normally on a daily basis, you're not going to be able to tell when they're acting ill. Chicken watching is of tangible benefit to the flock itself.
What's your opinion? Aside from the obvious benefits of chicken keeping (eggs, compost, pest control, etc.), are there other benefits you've seen with your flock? Do you get outside more? Has it brought your family or neighborhood together? Please share in the comments!
2 comments
I’ve had chickens and ducks for years, and I love watching them in between working. I’ve noticed that the chickens always seem to be on a mission… you’ll be watching them, then all the sudden they scamper off as if they ARE VERY LATE for a very important meeting! LOL. And as I read elsewhere (and immediately agreed is so true), the ducks seem to always be on a perpetual vacation! They stroll around the yard in a group, chatting like a group of close girl friends. And they spend a lot of time lounging in and around the pool, lol. I love them all so much!! I’ve taken plenty of pics and videos. I especially love the videos of my little special needs duck, Floret, (she never grew to full size, is about half size, and has had struggles like dealing with intermittent seizures, and some of the flock picking on her). I found a way to keep her as ‘part of the flock’ by keeping her in a protective cage in the duck house, with her own water…so she is in the house with the others overnight, but the ducks who would want to pick on her can’t. During the day when I let everyone out, I keep her safe in a good-sized pen in the back yard (so no one can pick on her), but she can still see and hear them and is a part of the backyard goings-on. I make sure to regularly hold and pet her, so she has some contact, and I also try to let her have some contact with her full-sized sister, Dahlia, with supervision…they love to see each other, but I have to keep an eye on the older sister, (because she sometimes picks Floret’s feathers…which is uncomfortable, of course, but if she plucks head feathers, I’ve noticed it tends to possibly trigger seizures). So that is why I can’t even let her visit with her sister without supervision. But the good news is that, OF COURSE, Floret gets FIRST swim in the communal duck pool every morning! And she loves it! (She also has a big bowl/pan in her pen she can bathe in at any time she wants during the day). Even though she has some difficulties with balance and eyesight, she is able to walk & swim (and she LOVES to swim!!). I especially LOVE Saturdays… I am off work and can leisurely spend time filling the BIG POOL. They ALL love that!! But Floret gets the first time to swim…and she LOVES to swim as FAST as she can, speeding around the perimeter of the pool!! You should see her little legs and feet pumping! I laugh and say, “Have you got the Zoomies?!!” She is so cute. Speaking of Floret, when I had an ESPECIALLY bad weekend of overtime at work (felt like I really failed), I finally clocked out and went outside and held my little Floret, and cried, and it was comforting just being with her. I would totally agree that they are good for us in every way! They give us something to do (that we HAVE to do every day…letting them out and feeding/watering them in the AM, then closing them up at night; and caring for them when we notice they don’t feel well), and they provide comedic relief ALL the time!! I have too many stories to tell. And they provide COMFORT when we need it, too. I love having them all for so many reasons.
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My Pet Chicken:
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story! Your love and dedication to your flock, especially to your sweet Floret, absolutely shines through. I was smiling and tearing up reading about her zoomies and how she comforts you during tough times. It’s incredible how much joy, laughter, and healing our feathered friends (even those with special needs!) can bring into our lives. You’re giving them such a wonderful, thoughtful life, and they’re clearly giving back in the most heartfelt ways.
I’ve currently got my chickens in a large, safe, space indoors-but my favorite thing in the world is going up there to hang out with them. Most of the time, I’m up there because my rooster crows to let me know that it’s time to eat, I’m cleaning, or they’re helping me think about how to better improve things for them, for the family, etc. They let me ramble, sit on my back or legs while I feed them (yes, they’re spoiled and hand fed more than not), and “tell” me about their day. I watch as they interact to see if there’s an issue with bullying, making sure they’re comfortable, and making adjustments as needed. Just watching them interact, chase each other around, and the love pecks/cleaning their beaks, and showing me their love makes my day just as it does with my dogs and cats. While I wasn’t 100% positive when I decided to purchase chicks about it being the right decision, I’m SO happy that I did.
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My Pet Chicken:
What a beautiful, heartfelt reflection! Thank you so much for sharing this. It’s clear your flock is not only safe and well cared for, but truly loved. The way you describe your time with them really captures the quiet joy and peace chickens can bring into our lives.
It’s amazing how intuitive they are, how they communicate in their own ways, and how deeply connected they can become with us when given the chance. That level of trust says everything about the care you give.
And you’re absolutely right — watching them, learning from them, and adjusting things to keep them happy and healthy is such a rewarding experience. We’re so glad you took the leap into chicken-keeping and that it’s brought you so much joy. They’re lucky to have you, and we’re lucky you shared this glimpse into your flock’s world.