My Chicken Story: Feathered Therapists

If you check out the Oxford dictionary you’ll see that ‘therapy’, a term rooted in ancient Greek and Latin meaning to cure or to heal, is defined as the treatment of an illness or problem.

In our culture we treat the mind, spirit and body as though they were completely separate entities rather than understand that what happens with one impacts the others.

Although chickens are domesticated they do connect us to nature – being outside, being aware of how other species operate in ways different than ourselves. I also think they are a link to our past when maybe life seemed simpler and more straightforward, and perhaps a tad less ominous. For some of us they are nostalgic reminders of childhood on farms, at country fairs or even petting zoos.

In a world in which our value is often measured by what we do (i.e. our occupation), how much we earn or how much ‘stuff’ we have accumulated, spending time with chickens might provide us with the excuse to slow down and push the outside world away, even for just a few minutes here or there.

Professional therapists are often out of the reach of many folks, either due to geography or finances. If you’re a chicken keeper you’ve got some feathered counsellors already at your disposal who’d be happy to spend time with you, listen to your woes, look deeply in your eyes and accept you at face value all in exchange for a little care and respect – and of course, treats are always appreciated.

Here are a few stories that demonstrate all the positive things that chickens can bring to our lives:

I had a rare bone tumour removed in my leg as well as my entire quad muscle taken out (waiting for cancer results) about a month ago and today was my first time walking up to the chicken/duck pen. I used a walker and I was shaking like I was 100 years old but I did it. They all came up to me and were wagging their tail feathers and sunbathing in front of me. My Brahma even decided to sit on my foot. I look like a hot mess but, hey, I’m blessed! – Megan Forshey-Carpenter

Billy Stewart is an awesome Rooster Dad. He has an extremely busy schedule and isn’t allowed to keep chickens in town where he lives but still drove from Ava MO all the way to Ohio to get a rooster that he loves dearly.

He keeps him at a friend’s house outside of town and spends every free minute with him. He covers all the bird’s expenses along with anything else he thinks might make the rooster better. He loves to just sit hold him and give him treats. Sorry, this is the only picture I can find of them. – Robbie Acklin

Regardless of how bad my day was it gets better whenever I get home to snuggle with my Snow White. She makes my heart melt from her fluffiness. – Diana Vasquez Cornejo

I never thought I would make it two days let alone a month away from two years! My girls were to be my sobriety anniversary present to myself, but I got so excited that I couldn’t wait. I’ve only been a chicken mama since 11/18/23, but I’ve been a veterinary technician for 14 years, with the last seven years seeing chickens in the clinic. Medically caring for them and owning them are definitely two different playing fields. I saw one of my girls, Crystal, eat a loose feather last night! I’m talking took it straight down like a shot of Tito’s! I spent the next ten minutes laughing and telling her “Yeah, that’s how mommy used to take her vodka shots. Straight down outta da bottle, baby!” – Andiey GreenWitch Gay

Three years ago I had a hobby farm with approximately 100 hens, 17 roosters, numerous ducks, three geese, three peacocks, five goats and two potbelly pigs. My life was heaven until the night my husband took his own life in July 2020. I have a debilitating autoimmune disease and had to sell everything because I didn’t have any help to take care of it all. Thanks to my beautiful friend, I now have 22 birds, all just under a year old. My daughter gave me three Pekin ducks. My heart is full this morning hearing roosters crow and watching them around the yard. I knew only you all could appreciate my need for birds again and how much this fulfills me. – Billie Jo Hawley

My daughter is 12 and cognitively delayed. She raises spoiled chickens that soon forget they are birds. They get snuggles and kisses and I have even caught her putting them in warm baths and wrapping in blankets for a “spa day.” She doesn’t make friends easily because she isn’t on the same level as her peers, so her animals are her peace. She is amazing with all animals but chickens have become her passion. – Sandra Briggs-Voyles

My wife and kids insisted we have chickens. I grudgingly gave in to their demands four months ago after building a home and run for them and a rat proofing food store. Today I wouldn’t be without them. They follow me everywhere and appear when I least expect. Winston, Big Chick, Big Feet and Dotty (obviously the kids named them) are now part of our lives and all have their own personalities. I could never have imagined this scenario! – Iain Shaw