Chickens are wonderful, and I wish everyone would get the chance to know a flock of happy, free range chickens in their lifetime.
They’re very, very good at turning kitchen scraps and grain into dense protein (eggs).
And you get fertiliser as a by-product.
They are hilarious and silly and inquisitive and sweet. I love our chooks.
I used to raise show chickens with my little sister (silkies, a du’uccle, and some buff Orpingtons.) and they were a delight.
Our silkies and the du’uccle died tragically and my grandmother, without consulting anyone, got us 3 ducklings to try to cheer us up.
Of course, they imprinted on me immediately and I became obsessed. Now I have my own place and my flock of ducks is now at 11. Only one of the original 3 is left, and he teaches all the new birds the ropes and helps me train them to use a ramp. He also dotes on any babies and is the best dad and protector. When he is in “dad mode” we call him Big Papa Tony because he is HUGE (30lbs) and his name is Antonio.
Ducks are absolutely disgusting, but I enjoy them far more than chickens. Chickens are so much cleaner and easier to care for, but all of my fave pets have ended up being ones that are tricky to care for. 😅
