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.
Somebody once asked me what it was like to have chickens. Imagine you’re the grumpy old grandpa and you like your space and time. You like waking up when you want to. Going to sleep when you want. Taking your naps. Doing your thing. Leave me alone! And stay off my lawn! And then your grandkid comes to live with you. And they bug you. And they take up your time and your space. But you can’t help notice how they need something. They need your help. So you start to work on something for them. And that project takes over the whole day. And then the whole week. And before you know it, you don’t sit on your couch anymore. You don’t bitch at people for nothing anymore. And you’re outside all the time working on crazy projects for your grandkid and you have never been more happier in your entire life.
Now, just imagine that your grandkid is a chicken and you’re out there playing in their coop. And you’re working on their water, fermenting their feed, collecting bugs for them, researching food. You celebrate their first egg like you gave birth! Your friends are now sending you chicken memes and chicken videos. Your life has become all about chickens.
So basically, you can either be the old geezer who’s sitting on your couch doing nothing and slowly dying a miserable, horrible death or you can become the crazy chicken person who never leaves their house because they can’t because they went from: I’ll just have four chickens to I now have 100 in the backyard and I can’t let anybody know. So if you never want to leave your house again, never want to travel, never want free time and you don’t want to sleep past 6 AM or want to go to bed early every night because you have to be in bed in order to be up early. If you basically want 100 toddlers running around your feet for the rest of your life, go ahead and get chickens. You will never regret it! – Jeannie Muleady
My special needs chicken who has difficulty dealing with touch, just realized I was lying down. Boo is pretty much an emotional genius as far as people are concerned. She’s been following me around with a worried little look to her face. When she realized I was lying down, she came running and jumped up without hesitation, displacing Annabelle and then marching back and forth to make sure that no one bothered me. Granted, it was a little painful, but how can you not enjoy a tiny little chicken who thinks she’s in charge and wants to protect you? Especially one who knows when you’re hurting and actively tries to make you feel better – Green Grables Farm
I got my 17-year old cat when she was eight weeks old. I held her today as she left this world and returned home in a box. I needed to be alone so I went and sat outside the chicken run, expecting my rooster to scream his head off like he always does. But he didn’t. None of them made a sound. They just sat there in silence, like they knew. I sat there and cried my eyes out and not one of them made a sound. I made sure to give them lots of treats when I collected myself. We don’t deserve the love animals give. – Summer Plowman
Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and photos. Featured photo credit: Christine Hope
“Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear chicken saddles.”
Bitchin' Chickens 
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