Modern Family (With Chickens) 2

So what is family? That mythical unit of parents and kids full of love and support and a lifetime of happy memories? Or the folks that are thrown together by dint of biology that will cost a lifetime of therapy to undue the damage inflicted there? Or something altogether different that you cobble together to suit your needs?

The dictionary defines family as “a group of persons united by the ties of marriage, blood, or adoption, constituting a single household and interacting with each other in their respective social positions, usually those of spouses, parents, children, and siblings.”

Another model, arising out of the LGBT community, is the concept of a chosen family. The bonds made are not based on biology, but common identities, interests or values. My mother, who did not come from a happy family, often repeated the mantra espoused by her mother that “family you’re born with, friends you choose”, implying of course, that we’d rather exercise choice if possible.

As a longtime dog and cat owner it’s clear to me that most folks consider their mammal companions as an extended (and oftentimes integral) member of their family. They are often referred to as ‘fur babies’, ‘man’s best friend’, ‘companion animals’ and more recently ‘therapy animals’. Folks use terms like mum, dad or grandparents that denote relationships placing their pet squarely in their family tree. Popular pet names reflect the esteem we garner upon them: Max (best), Fido (faithful) and Buddy (close friend).

So it’s no surprise that these feelings of kinship for our household pets extend to our flock or ‘feather babies’. Some folks draw the line at bringing their birds inside their homes while others have full-time house chickens. It’s interesting that we can be appalled how some people in other areas of the world view and treat dogs and cats, while we relegate chickens to the status of livestock or ‘just a chicken’. When my dog is being a brat I tell her that there are areas of the world where she might be considered dinner (to which she’s truly shocked). Yet we can love our chickens and also eat them (or someone else’s). Or maybe we don’t, deciding they, too, are worthy of being recognized as sentient beings with a life deserving respect.

Full disclosure: This isn’t a judgment about dietary preferences; I, too, struggle with the conflict of loving chickens and eating poultry (just not my own).

I spend a lot of time with my birds, but always on their turf so I have no photos depicting their place in my home, as well as my heart. Never fear, when I need help I just call on my Bitchin’ Chicken followers and they shower me with evidence that their chickens truly are part of their families.

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Phoenix Lorraine

My beautiful present from my fiancée for my birthday today. We are moving across the country (2600 miles) and unfortunately will not be taking our girls that far. He knows how upset I am about it because these are my first chickens, after wanting them for over ten years. Luckily my aunt, who lives on 20 acres and already has chickens, is taking them for us when we move. I’m ok knowing they are going to be happy. These are the actual feathers and eggshells from all of my girls, so I don’t have to completely leave them behind when we go. The sweetest present anyone has ever given me, let alone made for me.

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Myndi Murcin

My son and daughter-in-law are fixing to have a baby and they decided to do their gender reveal with my husband and me in a different way. We have chickens and they got us a little box that had a white egg inside that we had to break open to find out what the gender of our grandchild was. It was so neat.

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Mowgli Griffin

Before we get started I just like to say this is all entertainment value that one should laugh at. Should you disapprove of my request, that’s okay! It’s all about my girls right now.

I have six girls who are sadly within city limits and therefore denied having their very own rooster. For giggles we would like to put pictures of roosters in their coop so they at least know what one looks like. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find what I’m looking for online. There are plenty of hen pics, but few roosters.

If anyone would be willing, we would love if you could post a very clear, full-bodied picture of the man in your hens’ life that you would be okay with our creative rendering of said picture that would then be printed, framed and posted in the coop. The name of your handsome fellow would be great as well! Once we have completed them and hung in the coop we will share the end result! Is it silly? Absolutely! Laughter truly is the best medicine and this will provide laughs for years to come.

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Robert Bright

Introducing a new generation (skipped one, her mom, my daughter? Not a fan!). This is my 2½ year old sent straight from heaven granddaughter. This one? O, she’s mine all mine. She FaceTimes pawpaw and the chicks almost daily. These pics are from last Sunday. Pawpaw and mawmaw loaded up the chicks and drove the two hours to her house so Maddie could experience her first live chick-Maddie interaction. It went wonderfully, my heart is still smiling!

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Shannon Alonzo Llanos  

My neighbor hates my girls so much she walks the fence line yelling at them to “Shut the F-up”. I guess it’s time to list the house for sale. I don’t want my girls to be subjected to such language!

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Suzanne Archer  

So my dad had a mishap, and had to go to the hospital emergency department.

While waiting for the ambulance, our chickens got really upset ‘cos one of their humans were not well. Long story short, their ‘spokes chicken’ wouldn’t settle until she had to check on him. She’s the emotional support chicken who comforts and soothes us with her soft chicken talk when any of us are sad or ill. She just knows and so has to see us when something happens.

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Kara N Deigert

This is my dad a week after he lost his mom. My family and I invited him over for dinner. My son asked if he’d like to hold the rooster. He said, “No thanks, they’ve always attacked me.” My son went and got the rooster, anyway. My dad told us, even though he felt weird holding a rooster in the house of all places, this was the most relaxed he felt, since his mom passed. To me, this picture speaks so many unspoken words, and sometimes, a chicken isn’t just a chicken.

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Bob Wintersteen

Today is the third day since our girls went out to the coop. It hit 88F here in mid Missouri and we had ¼” of rain this morning and everyone is doing just fine and dandy.  We put a small round window in the door of our coop yesterday so that my mother-in-law could look in. If it appears a little low, keep in mind she is only 4’ 10”. Molly will be 89 this year and the girls come running when they see/hear her approaching. She is a super chicken grandma. My wife, Maggy, is their Chicken Momma and I guess I am the Chicken Dad if there is such a thing.

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Jozie Lynn

Can you even say you’re a chicken owner if you didn’t stop to feed your girls snacks on your wedding day?

More folks are keeping chickens and even treating them as pets, like they would their dogs and cats. That may not be how everyone views poultry, but spending time with birds allows you to understand they do have their own personalities and bond with those around them. And for lots of us, they fulfill the role of trusted and loyal companions.

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Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and photos. Featured photo credit: Stephanie Leigh

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