How I Fell in Love With Rearing Chickens and Turkeys
I never imagined I would enjoy taking care of chickens. In fact, growing up, I used to hate it. Feeding them, cleaning after them, giving them water, it just wasn’t something I found interesting. But my mum has always been passionate about raising chickens, especially the Agric type. She kept encouraging me to help out, and slowly, I started learning. What started as a chore eventually became a part of me.
At first, I struggled with the routine. There were days I would forget to feed them, and the moment I stepped outside, I would hear them crying out. Their noise could make anyone restless, they demand attention, especially when hungry. And something what always amazes me is how they react when you finally enter their cage with food. They start pecking at your legs, thinking it’s part of their meal. It might sound funny, but it’s one of the things that made me appreciate how alert and instinctive they are.
With time, I grew fond of them. I started recognizing some of them by behavior. Some are calmer, while others are more aggressive when it comes to getting food first. Watching them grow from tiny chicks into strong, healthy birds is something that fills me with joy. The Agric chickens especially grow fast and beautifully when well-fed and taken care of.
Now, when it comes to turkeys, my relationship with them is quite different. I’ll be honest, turkeys are not my favorite animals to care for. There’s something about them that I just don’t connect with the same way I do with the chickens. But since my mum rears them too, I’ve had no choice but to be involved. Even though I don’t enjoy it as much, I still show up and do my part.
Turkeys are a bit more complicated. They get stressed easily, and when they fall sick, it can be hard to save them even with proper medication. It’s heartbreaking sometimes. You do everything you can, and they still don’t make it. I often say that if turkeys were humans, they’d be the type to enjoy a soft life with all the pampering in the world. They don’t handle discomfort well at all.
Despite the stress and effort, raising these animals has been an amazing experience. It’s taught me responsibility, patience, and even empathy. Animals don’t speak, but they communicate in ways you learn to understand with time. Whether it’s the cry of hunger, the silent signs of sickness, or the joy of seeing them healthy and lively, it all speaks volumes.
Sometimes I still wonder how I moved from someone who disliked the process to someone who looks forward to seeing her chickens every morning. It’s become more than just a duty, it’s a connection. A bond that reminds me of growth, of learning, and of finding joy in unexpected places.