Lessons Our Chickens Have Taught My Children

Lessons Our Chickens have taught my children

Chickens are such advantageous animals to keep! They produce eggs, fertilizer, companionship, meat, keep bugs and weeds down, and more! Let’s explore some of the lessons our chickens have taught my children!

Although we do not currently plan on eating any of our chickens, they are so beneficial to us in many other ways! Plus, they are one of the easiest farm animals to own! If you have a backyard then you have enough space to keep at least 2 chickens! Of course check your city’s laws and regulations when it comes to chicken keeping.

*Remember that chickens are social animals. They need to be kept in at least a pair or they will get lonely and depressed. They need a chicken friend!

Lesson 1 – Responsibility

While chickens are incredibly easy to care for, they are living animals and do have needs and require upkeep.

It is my daughters job (7 years old) to clean out and refill the chicken’s water every morning. During this time she also checks their level of feed, collects their eggs, and evaluates the birds to check that they’re in good health. Evaluating the birds really just means she looks them over and makes sure there isn’t anything out of the ordinary.

Clean water is important for all living beings. As we roll into the hot, dry summer months here in Northern Nevada, it is incredibly important that they have fresh, full water buckets!

This really takes her no longer than about 5 minutes each morning. This responsibility is done BEFORE breakfast. I was taught to have the utmost respect for animals on the farm I grew up on. My parents would always say, “If you’re thirsty, your animals are thirsty”. I tell my children the same thing and they understand that their responsibilities are important.

Lesson 2 – Companionship

My children LOVE our chickens. They have helped care for them since the chickens were newborn chicks. The other day my kiddo packed her favorite girl around long enough that she got chicken poo all down her shirt.

I’ve even caught the kids talking and singing to the chickens. I’d almost bet they tell them all their secrets too. Chickens are a kid’s best friend!

Lesson 3 – Restraint

Now, we have four chickens total. Two of the chickens LOVE to be packed around, while the other two just don’t.

My kids have also had to learn and practice restraint. They want to carry those two less-friendly chickens so bad, but they’ve learned to not force their wants on other creatures. They understand that sometimes you want things you can’t have, and that doesn’t mean you force your wants in the situation.

Lesson 4 – Protection

Chickens are relatively large birds, but they are still vulnerable to predators, illnesses and famine.

We have taught our children the value of our chicken’s lives and the importance of protecting it.

They have helped us mend fences and secure gates to protect them from predators.

They have learned of the different illnesses or injuries to watch for in chickens. The kids also help us clean out the coop every couple weeks to help maintain a healthy living environment for everyone.

Lesson 5 – Life Cycle

The kids have witnessed the chickens grow through the different stages of chickenhood. From sweet newborn baby chick to rambunctious teen to content full-grown hen.

While my kids haven’t actually seen an egg hatch we have done some unit studies on the life cycle of the life of a chicken, so they understand the general idea of where chickens come from.

They understand that if we had a rooster then our eggs would be fertile and could have babies in them. On the flip side of things they understand that chickens die, whether it be a predator, illness, or just old age. Dying is a sad reality. However, this has helped them learn to enjoy and relish the beautiful life that we have been given as well as the life of the creatures around us.