WHY KEEP POULTRY?

Before moving on to our range of poultry I  thought a very basic section under the above heading may be of some help to those of you who might like the idea, but  feel apprehensive and  would like to know a little more before taking the first step.

After suggesting start with a good knowledgeable book, what follows here may sound amateurish. Experienced poultry keepers may wish to pass the section on, “Why  keep Poultry”. However what follows are some of our personal reasons for keeping chickens.

“WHY KEEP POULTRY”

GOOD COMPANIONSHIP

This quite reasonably might not be the most obvious benefit. But with regular daily contact, especially at times of feeding and watering, when one or some of the hens need some special attention, when they invite their selves to do a spot of gardening….usually at your side pulling out the newly planted seedlings…. a relationship (of some kind ) will develop. You will start to take in the different styles and personalities within the same breed and between the breeds in individual hens and certainly become attached to them. There are times when it can be demanding and the gentle technique of feeding and watering can take on a whole new meaning when faced with winter gales, that freeze the body, freeze the mind, as well as the drinking water.

But life’s a balance, and there is the satisfaction of a job well done, (especially when Margaret has taken on the task of facing the winter storms) and the balance comes when more time can be spent with your poultry once the worst of winter passes.

Keeping poultry becomes very much part of your life and daily routine, and like our four dogs, ZARA, SAMMY, MOLLY, WHISKY, offer the companionship of being part of the family..( 19:07:08) and now our two cats,  "rough puff", ( I get told off for calling  her "fluff" )  & "korky",...... aquired a few months ago.

EDUCATION

This I suppose follows quite easily from the previous section
 Keeping poultry for us and many others is part of this, whether as a child, or an adult. Keeping animals does demand your time and it certainly will teach you and your children, that all of us have a responsibility for each other. Periods of observation and sharing tasks will be a learning time for you and your family. Poultry, like any other living animal can teach us so much, if we are patient and receptive to what they can offer.

And it probably goes without saying, a family involved in the general happy tasks of looking after chickens together, will learn more than poultry-keeping.

LOVE, AFFECTION

This heading might sound over sentimental, but I don’t think it is. It seems to link well with the previous two. Everyone recognizes the therapeutic value of the family pet, it’s a two-way relationship. We are there for each other. It doesn’t stretch credibility to see the same kind of relationship can develop with your family of chickens. Watching the progress from newly hatched chick to a fully fledged bird and all the bits in between, picking up a baby chick, helping the recovery of a sick, or injured bird… being chased, cornered, and attacked by a ferocious, over-protective, cockerel in full flight. (Forget that last one, it slipped in by mistake. I’ll leave the reality dose for next section.)

There is time in keeping poultry, which brings out the more compassionate side of humanity and gives us the time for reflection and to re-assess our own values.

COCKERELS

INDIAN (Cornish) GAME

I gave a mention to cockerels in previous section, but don’t get the wrong impression. Some can be over-protective, nearly all are friendly. For those of you totally new to poultry, if its eggs you are after you don’t need a cockerel. If you intend to breed from your flock, you will of course need one. He will be protective of his family.

Cockerels in appearance can be majestic and stately and usually a joy to behold. That’s the upside. But there is a downside. If you or your neighbours, are light sleepers and are not taken to an alarm call, at 3.30 to 4.00 a.m. Then just admire them from afar…..maybe on a poster on the far side of your kitchen wall, or on the wall by the bedroom window.

Your hens will probably be just as happy without Mr. Cockerel and possibly lead a more stress free life, continuing to supply you with fresh eggs on a nearly daily basis.

If you really feel you want a cockerel make sure you are in a totally isolated area. Do not accept the friendly neighbour’s views, that it will all add to the joys of country living.

What might follow in the weeks ahead is a very official letter coming through your letter box, containing words like, police, solicitor, terms of lease, noise nuisance, not slept in seven days, bordering on the verge of madness, suicide, murder, you are cordially invited to dine with us some evening. (Oh no, that was before you decided on a cockerel.) Forget the cockerel, give your neighbours periodically, some excess eggs and stay friends.

HEALTH

Oh, yes, really healthy That’s what you keep saying to your self on these dark, freezing, wet, winter mornings when the gales from the north, screaming over the Moray Firth whiz through your double lined, arctic designed, thermals and then tries to rip bits of your perfectly designed D.I.Y. chicken shed, (that looked so well constructed in the lazy, hazy hot, gentle breezy days of summer past).

Yes I guess we look very healthy, flapping about horizontally trying to open the hen house doors and the wind determined to keep them closed…. then trying to close them when the wind decides to change it’s mind and thinks, “ maybe they are better open.” And the hens go into an emergency discussion group as to whether, we really know what we are doing and…… are they really safe in our charge?

How does that last paragraph relate to health? Well simply put, if we, and our birds can survive a Scottish winter on the coast, we all must be pretty tough and healthy.
In fairer times, when the weather invites us outdoors, we can spend more time with our birds and take pleasure in there company and really appreciate the calming and therapeutic effect they can have on our emotional well-being by just being in their company. Although our birdie friends make little demands on us, attending to their basic needs, provides us with enough exercise for mind and body and bring a glow to our life.

For those of you who like the idea of more exercise, maybe a rampant horse to go with your poultry could give you that wee bit extra. But for us, the poultry, the kitchen garden and the four dogs, ( and now two cats ) gives us all the exercise we want......and a wee bit of the, “Good Life”.

COMMITMENT and RESPONSIBILITY

We would like to think that any adult who considered keeping any animals would not step in lightly without being aware of the responsibility involved, especially, if you and your family like holidays and weekends away, you should take time to think through completely before reaching a decision.Spend some time discussing, speaking to poultry people, and read some relevant books.

If you decide to go ahead, do give yourself some time to prepare. I know this will sound silly to most of you. But you really have to make arrangements to buy, or get the house built.......this can take weeks, before you buy, or even order the birds. The feed, the food and water containers, bedding etc. we can provide when you collect your layers. However enthusiastic you are, give yourselves sometime to plan and to organise. Then enjoy. If part of the planning is contacting us for advice before hand......then please do so.

Keeping poultry will provide an opportunity for children, family, friends, and of course, yourself, to understand this commitment and responsibility and if you all decide to become involved, you will be better people for it. And you will make many new friends.

ANIMAL WELFARE

Most people are now very much aware and concerned about how their food is produced and the general trend towards healthier food does seem to go hand in hand with a more compassionate attitude towards the animal’s welfare.

That in itself may be a good enough reason to keep poultry. But bear in mind, the work, commitment and responsibility you all have, as high lighted in previous section.

maran eggs

FRESH EGGS

We’ve reached the part that for many people is the main reason for keeping poultry…..and why not? Just see and taste the health and freshness of these eggs.

Convenient food? What is more convenient than popping out any time of day to the garden for a fresh egg?  Be warned, you will be diverted with your, “hennie friends”.

Fresh?     Check your supermarket sell by date and see how fresh they are and then compare them for taste and looks against an egg, still warm, from your own hens.
It really does make your shop egg seem “shelf tired” and “weary” and “tasteless”.

Health?     We wouldn’t believe an egg could be interfered with. But we live in a world where chemical supplements, colourings, additives, preservative etc. are finding a way into all of our food. It makes more sense, if the decision of what the hen eats, and ultimately what you eat, is made by you and the hen. You will both mutually benefit.

Cost?     Work it out your self.  And, don’t bother taking into account the cost of your time and petrol, Price out the cost of free range supermarket eggs against your own.
If you’re guessing half price, I’ll give you a wee hint….much, much, much, lower.

CREAM CROSS LEGBAR COCKEREL .... guarding the muck heap (compost bin)

THE MUCK?

Am I saving the best to last? If you’re not a gardener you’ll think I’m spending too much time talking to my hens and my mind is starting to go. If you are a dedicated gardener, with an organic approach, or part organic approach to your garden, you’ll know exactly where we are coming from. The flower garden benefits from the chicken muck processed through the “living” compost heap. But the kitchen garden, our real love, is where the real harvest is reaped.

We're back to the quality of shop bought fruit and vegetables. Boosted on in growth with the help of chemical pesticides and fertilizers and other laboratory sourced additives, that grandad, grannie, (and me) never knew existed, there has to be some concern over health.

Some things are better kept simple. Our home grown fruit .vegetables and tomatoes may never have the uniformity, or even the appearance of the 'grown to specification' produce in the super market’s “fruit and veg. section”. But ours is Real Food, healthy, wholesome, full of freshness... and we can put up with the odd failures and the funny shapes. And when the hens get the excess funny shaped fruit and vegetables, with maybe some wee beasties thrown in, they never complain…and yes, I have discussed it with them......and they seemed to agree.

Why Keep Poultry? In Summary...

1. HEALTHY, EGGS.
2. HEALTHY, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES.
3. HEALTHY, MIND AND BODY.

But at least take comfort in knowing it has had a life, in a natural environment and eating basically what it wanted, when it wanted.

But also bear in mind, every time you buy chicken/chicken products from shop shelves, it’s likely you will be driving more poultry into “battery condition environment”.

A Good Business Opportunity...?

And if you’re thinking of taking it further, why not check out the business case for keeping poultry too?