wildwest I've only had problems with one rooster. My hens have always been good with the kids. I think it's good for kids to learn responsibility and helping take care of animals is one.
An animal that could potentially peck an eye out might not be a good idea though. Another problem with chickens is that salmonella exposure should be a concern. I've seen a lot of news stories in recent years where kids get sick from contact with chickens. The kids hug and kiss on the chickens and when their kid gets sick from it, they blame it on the breeder.
I treat my chickens like chickens. They are not animals to be hugged and loved. The kids are taught to wash up after handling and all. The first sign of ill temperament from one and they are dealt with accordingly.
We definitely don't see chickens as pets. They are part of our future dinner and breakfast menu. As cute as they are when they are a few weeks old, I made it clear to the kids that they are for eggs and meat.
As far breeds go: I did a bunch of research and supposedly the most docile of the good egg laying bunch are Buff Orpington I'm debating which breed I should go with first, the chicken tractor/coop is in the works.
I always told the kids, you now know where McNuggets come from.. My kids know that chickens are food producers. As was the turkeys, ducks, hogs and sheep we raised. It was amazing that the kids got it real quick. That a clean, comfortable and dry place for the animals to live is necessary. but, pets not really. I never worried about my chickens carrying any disease. The food supplement I feed them from Fleet Farm was medicated. And when a chicken died we cleaned the coop very good that day.
I'm not trying to start a pizzing match but I don't understand the point you are trying to make with that statement. All animals are dangerous.
Some breeds average over 6 eggs/week. When my youngest daughter was that age, she made pets out of all her chickens. She would put them in a wagon and pull them all over the yard for example. She had/has a variety of breeds and a lot of barn yard mixed. Lots of roosters too, never a problem because they were all petted into submission.
2 days until they next batch goes I to the freezer. They are big. Real big. Should see a 6 lb average.
Fox, When the "animal whisperer" was young, she came up to me with big tears in those beautiful brown eyes and said, " Daddy, why doesn't that rooster understand that I just want to pet him?" Pretty soon that rooster too was ok with getting petted. -- I told my wife your term. "petted into submission" She laughed for almost an hour. Because that is exactly what my little girl did.
25. And still my "sweetie" She blessed her mom and I to be our daughter when she was 10 months old. She (Luci) is adopted from Bogota, Colombia. Has fetal alcohol syndrome. But, is very high functioning. Still lives at home, but this years goal is to try to find an apartment on her own. It will happen. She has overcome many obstacles and we are extremely proud of her. She works at Wendy's and is a star employee. Manager wishes he had 20 more like her. But, like I said she is the "animal whisperer" Animals just gravitate to her, it is amazing. Thanks for asking.
That's a great story. Bogota is rough country. The increase in the quality of her life you provided is immeasurable...and I'm sure she reciprocated too.
I have heard that echoed by so many fathers on this board. All the fathers and daughters are so blessed! (and yes, my father still says "hi honey!" when we speak even at my age).
