Why do you have chickens? (Inspired by a comment by Country Thyme...thanks CT!)

Schipperkesue wrote:It is pretty clear by now that most of us are pretty wrapped up in this poultry madness. However, our reasons and methods differ. So tell us, why do you have chickens? Knowing this little piece of information may help us attain a little 'fellowfeel' amongst members here.

No, I will not go first.

Fowler wrote:I keep my chickens for inbreeding, reduction of productivity and the reproduction of undesirable traits as I work to destroy my chosen breeds.

coopslave wrote:

Fowler wrote:I keep my chickens for inbreeding, reduction of productivity and the reproduction of undesirable traits as I work to destroy my chosen breeds.

Naughty, very very naughty!

Hillbilly wrote: I have to say, mostly, I keep them for the fresh eggs. Secondly, I keep enough, that egg sales pay for their feed, and the goose feed. Now they pretty much break even on a yearly basis. We have enough consumers on the property.
Lastly, I would say, I like my eclectic flock of misfits. Some of Unos favorite breeds are here. The spitzald fritzald horkenfluugen. The skreamin shitzalot poopinmakin. Yep. I like the heritage birds. I don't wanna see just a brown chicken with brown chicken buddies. I chose most breeds on their ability to lay in the winter originally. Looks were second. I can't help it. I'm a guy, we're visual creatures.

Why do you raise heritage breeds? Why do you raise chickens?

What is the reason you got into raising heritage breeds and where did it all start for you? We all have our first recollection of when and where it all began, for some, it may be a childhood memory of growing up on the farm, or visiting a family member’s place where in the fields the cows and horses grazed. Sounds of chatter coming from the coops, where the hens clucked, scratched and the roosters proudly crowed. Watching the spring lambs bounce about the yard in bursts of excitement, exploring their world around them. For some it’s a petting zoo, where we saw our first chicken up close.

Why do you raise chickens? It is something I often hear when I am asked what I do for a living and reply that I raise heritage breed poultry. The look on people’s faces is always that of intrigue and it gets me thinking every time, why do I?
Certainly we have all heard this many times from inquiring minds, individuals who may never had the experience of raising heritage breeds. But when was the last time we asked ourselves that question. Why Do I raise heritage breeds?
The memory of where my ventures all started is still very fresh in my mind. For me it all began in 2009 with the introduction of Ring neck pheasants my father had brought home to rear on his acreagebut it was April of 2010 when it became well, my calling. This is the start of my 4th season with raising heritage breed chickens & turkeys.Oddly in a way it feels like I have been doing this for over a century... let me explain.
Going back, The Samis Family homesteaded the Sturgeon district in the spring of 1893. In my own tree, I am the 2nd generation off the farm. My Great Grandfather John Samis & my Grandfather Melvin Samis both grew up on the family homestead in Namao, Alberta.
My Grandfather left to work as a mechanic for the city in his early 20’s. My father was born in Edmonton where he was raised and raised his own family. When my father was 22yrs, he bought himself his acreage in Parkland County and went back to the basics, somewhat back to his roots. He raised poultry himself, but on a much smaller scale than that of the Samis men before him.
In a weird coincidence my father also bought his first acreage when I was 22 years old. In a way the family has gone back to its roots, on a very small scale. Our clan is now residing in Strathcona County.
So where do chickens come into play in all of this? Well one of the biggest contributors to the success of my Great Grandfather’s farm was his poultry. He raised Light Sussex. My great grandma spoke of buying chicks in the spring for 5 cents and selling them in the fall for 25 cents. That was a lot of money in 1920’s she always would tell me.
In 2010 my Grandfather while battling cancer asked my father, if he would raise a flock of Light Sussex, as that was the breed he grew up with and he would enjoy seeing a flock of them free ranging again. We acquired, a nice flock and my Papa was very pleased. I still vividly remember the day that he came out to the acreage and I showed him our flock. The smile on his face and the look in his eyes said it all. Looking at him in that moment, you could see all the joy and his previous experiences with this particular breed just filling his memory.
It was something that brought us close together. Who knew that a flock of Light Sussex would be the icebreaker between two very stubborn and strong-minded men?

He shared his memories, opinions and advice, he too saw the passion I had in this newfound hobby and he inspired me to continue on.

With his passing came great sorrow and it was not until he was gone that the realization of how much I cared for him had set in. He was gone, but not forgotten, as every time I see a Light Sussex, I think of my grandfather, and I too smile. I am sure that if you were to stand beside me while I gaze upon a flock of light Sussex, you would see a glimpse of what I saw in his eyes that day.
So why do I raise heritage breeds, for me it’s simple. It’s just who I am. It’s who I was always meant to be and it’s in my blood. I raise heritage breeds to honor my past, to enjoy the present and to sustain and preserve for the future.

Jonathan M. Samis

coopslave wrote:
I have truly enjoyed reading all your posts. I feel I know you all a little better now. It is amazing how a common bond can be so diverse, I love it!