Have You Ever Wondered What It's Like to Raise Chickens?



As I'm standing at my tiny kitchen sink washing oily breakfast dishes my children rushed inside, clearly upset, "Mom! Mr. Bingley (my favorite rooster) is covered in motor oil!" How he became covered in motor oil, I have no idea, but I was certain that Mr. Bingley needed that oil off him as soon as possible. We filled a bucket with rather warm water and washed him twice with my favorite fall dish soaps (Mrs. Meyers Acorn Spice and Apple cider) and then two more times with Dawn dish soap to be sure all visible signs of the motor oil were gone from his feathers and comb. We used Q-tips to clean out around his eyes and his nostrils too. However, with the days being cooler and nights growing colder, I knew I couldn’t return Mr. Bingley to his coop being all wet or hypothermia could occur. I asked my kids to I grab my blow dryer and I spent the next 20 mins or so drying every one of his feathers and getting some snuggles in the process. It’s no secret that I love my birds. I was sure he wouldn't let me use that noisy blow dryer without freaking out, but we put a plate down with some food on it for him and he happily ate it enjoying his impromptu spa day!

Finding a chicken covered in motor oil is just one unusual situation I’ve faced while caring for my flock and some situations are definitely more challenging than others. Animal attacks, deformed chicks, death by heat exhaustion, and prolapsed vents are particularly difficult situations, but at the end of the day, caring for a flock it’s worth every moment, even the hard ones.

Have you or your child have ever wondered what it would be like to raise and care for your own flock? If you have, be sure to check out: Can YOU Raise Chickens from Egg to Eggs? | An Interactive Learning Scenario by Wild Sprigs | TpT

Lesson Description: In this lesson children will learn what it’s really like to raise chickens from just hatched chicks to laying hens! Children will be presented with multiple scenarios where they will have to use critical thinking skills to consider the information provided and make what they believe is the best choice in each situation. Situations your child will be presented with are: how to start their flock, where to keep their chicks, what to do if a chicken dies, what to do for their chicken’s shelter, guess which foods chickens can and can’t have, what to use for a nesting box and what to do with all their eggs! This highly interactive lesson is sure to be an eye opener for those interested in raising their own chickens! 

Find more interactive learning lessons like these click here: Wild Sprigs Teaching Resources | Teachers Pay Teachers 


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