Hi! We have had quite a number of chickens, and as curious about and as keen as they have all been to get inside, this is the biggest line I draw with them (apart from keeping dogs unaware of their existence - no one wants to have pet chicken carnage on their conscience). Chicken poo stinks. Really stinks. Chickens are indiscriminate about where they poo. And not fussed about walking through poo. Children are also indiscriminate about where they walk, and let's not even think about the five second rule on a chicken floor. I think chickens make great _outdoor_ pets. And none of ours, sadly has ever been cuddly :(
Having said all that, I have a relaxed friend (who possibly didn't have carpet?) whose son had a house chicken, or at least a chicken allowed in the house. This was a friendly, TV watching, hanging out with him kinda gal. Probably the secret is to be the mum for a chick and indoctrinate it into the human world, and keep your fingers crossed that you've got a hen not a cockerel!
No advice on chickens sorry.... but I loved the pic of Ham’s rocket costume and the fact that Eddie just knows how he wants his hair! You’re Wrong About is the best! I love my podcast commutes, and when a new episode is ready just in time for the bus...so good. Sarah Marshall is so funny. I did particularly love the Diana/Charles series they did, but maybe after your royal sex dream you can’t go there any more?
Keep reading! The book is soooo different all said and done that I struggled with the tv series, but understand why they changed things. I did still love both the series and the book. I read the book, watched the series but am now struggling with the book's sequel because of the massive differences...
I've never heard of an indoor chicken, but I'm lacking knowledge in this area! However, I am wondering if your greyhound might be a little too interested?!
This is timely because our son is desperate for chickens. He only eats beige food, so we said he'd have to eat eggs if we did (we vowed we'd never use bribery to get him to eat certain foods 🤦♀️) He's mulling it over...
I have no idea what she would be like. She is currently afraid of every other animal. She’s terrified of our cat and won’t go outside if the cat is out there. Gosh, I am so with you on the beige food!! Ham is obsessed with beige!!
My thoughts re chickens - chickens can be cuddly if they're hand-raised, particularly if right after hatching. My brother had a pet rooster which we bought as a new tiny chick, and it used to like to cuddle into his lap (he - the rooster - was a half-bantam, so quite small - I think bantams and other small breeds are cuddlier). Indoor chickens are a no-go just because of the chicken poo mess, and they can have mites and things.
Oh yes ideally don't get a rooster - the problem with getting tiny chickens though is that I think they can be hard to sex, and then surprise! Rooster. So I guess that's the dilemma re hand-raising a chick. The batch of chickens my brother and I got actually turned out to be 3 roosters (what a dud lot!). Two of them met their demise via dog and snake respectively, so only Tonka the cuddly rooster was left. (We lived in the country in case that wasn't clear!)
I’d you’re not sure I’d you’ve subscribed or not - log into https://emilywrites.substack.com/ and go to “my account” there will be a drop down with details of your subscription and it will say whether you have a paid or free subscription ❤️
Slightly late to the party but I honestly believe chickens are the ultimate kids' pet.
I volunteer in the adoptions wing at the SPCA and am constantly explaining to families why they shouldn't get a rabbit or guinea pig for their kid (Long story short they are prey animals who startle at sudden movements and loud noises, ie. children) and why they should get a couple hens instead.
Specifically I'm talking about brown shaver hens - the kind you adopt from a place that has rescued them from slaughter after laying for a year. They are SO curious and keen to be involved in everything, they are very quickly persuaded by food that kids are their bffs, unlike a cat/rabbit/guinea who either like people or don't and can over many weeks or months be convinced their kid is actually alright.
As both a pro and a con they do have a fairly short lifespan - usually 1 to 3 years once they leave the farm, which is obviously sad, but also a much shorter commitment than pretty much any other pet.
The poop is a thing, but once you've got a good system in place it's really not a big deal. Last time i had hens I had them on a combo of sand and straw. Straw just gets picked up and replaced and sand gets raked out and all the poop goes in the compost. For the occasionally inside adventure you can put a disposable face mask on like a nappy which keeps things tidy. Hook the straps over their shoulders/top of wings to give you half an hour to an hour or so of clean chook. I've had 7 chickens over the years and 3 of them have been cuddly, another 3 happy to sit on my lap for snacks and only 1 who wasn't keen.
I'm in Upper Hutt now and the poultry bylaws are bullshit so I rehomed my girls to friends (another bonus - it's very easy to find a good home for a few hens if you ever need to) but I miss them so much. You'll honestly just come to love their little bokky background chatter so much and become so invested in their delightful little soap opera social lives <3
Kia ora Emily, I wasn’t sure about becoming a paid subscriber but I read your email last night about committing to writing full time and I immediately signed up for the year to tautoko your bold move! Good on you for going for it, you’re amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing how this new platform develops over the year. E mihi ana ki a koe.
Emily, I once lived with a chicken in a flat years ago and she was fkn terrifying and used to chase me around the backyard trying to peck my ankles, and I am NOT a runner so fuck her, and her eyes were tiny and red and beady, and now I'm scared of chickens? Just thought I'd share that so you can factor it in x
Hi! We have had quite a number of chickens, and as curious about and as keen as they have all been to get inside, this is the biggest line I draw with them (apart from keeping dogs unaware of their existence - no one wants to have pet chicken carnage on their conscience). Chicken poo stinks. Really stinks. Chickens are indiscriminate about where they poo. And not fussed about walking through poo. Children are also indiscriminate about where they walk, and let's not even think about the five second rule on a chicken floor. I think chickens make great _outdoor_ pets. And none of ours, sadly has ever been cuddly :(
Having said all that, I have a relaxed friend (who possibly didn't have carpet?) whose son had a house chicken, or at least a chicken allowed in the house. This was a friendly, TV watching, hanging out with him kinda gal. Probably the secret is to be the mum for a chick and indoctrinate it into the human world, and keep your fingers crossed that you've got a hen not a cockerel!
I have had soo many emails about the poop! I had no idea. I am definitely putting chickens in the too hard basket 😂
No advice on chickens sorry.... but I loved the pic of Ham’s rocket costume and the fact that Eddie just knows how he wants his hair! You’re Wrong About is the best! I love my podcast commutes, and when a new episode is ready just in time for the bus...so good. Sarah Marshall is so funny. I did particularly love the Diana/Charles series they did, but maybe after your royal sex dream you can’t go there any more?
Oh my gosh, would you believe I have the awful Charles sex dream at least every few weeks now???? My brain is ruined.
Keep reading! The book is soooo different all said and done that I struggled with the tv series, but understand why they changed things. I did still love both the series and the book. I read the book, watched the series but am now struggling with the book's sequel because of the massive differences...
Oh thank you! I will! So far it’s exactly the same so I’ll stick with it.
I've never heard of an indoor chicken, but I'm lacking knowledge in this area! However, I am wondering if your greyhound might be a little too interested?!
This is timely because our son is desperate for chickens. He only eats beige food, so we said he'd have to eat eggs if we did (we vowed we'd never use bribery to get him to eat certain foods 🤦♀️) He's mulling it over...
I have no idea what she would be like. She is currently afraid of every other animal. She’s terrified of our cat and won’t go outside if the cat is out there. Gosh, I am so with you on the beige food!! Ham is obsessed with beige!!
Kelly, I too have a beige eating child - if bribery works, I feel that’s a victory!
My thoughts re chickens - chickens can be cuddly if they're hand-raised, particularly if right after hatching. My brother had a pet rooster which we bought as a new tiny chick, and it used to like to cuddle into his lap (he - the rooster - was a half-bantam, so quite small - I think bantams and other small breeds are cuddlier). Indoor chickens are a no-go just because of the chicken poo mess, and they can have mites and things.
Cute! Are roosters the noisy ones? I wouldn’t want my neighbour’s to hate me 😂
Oh yes ideally don't get a rooster - the problem with getting tiny chickens though is that I think they can be hard to sex, and then surprise! Rooster. So I guess that's the dilemma re hand-raising a chick. The batch of chickens my brother and I got actually turned out to be 3 roosters (what a dud lot!). Two of them met their demise via dog and snake respectively, so only Tonka the cuddly rooster was left. (We lived in the country in case that wasn't clear!)
Oh my gosh!! RIP Roosters!!
I’d you’re not sure I’d you’ve subscribed or not - log into https://emilywrites.substack.com/ and go to “my account” there will be a drop down with details of your subscription and it will say whether you have a paid or free subscription ❤️
Slightly late to the party but I honestly believe chickens are the ultimate kids' pet.
I volunteer in the adoptions wing at the SPCA and am constantly explaining to families why they shouldn't get a rabbit or guinea pig for their kid (Long story short they are prey animals who startle at sudden movements and loud noises, ie. children) and why they should get a couple hens instead.
Specifically I'm talking about brown shaver hens - the kind you adopt from a place that has rescued them from slaughter after laying for a year. They are SO curious and keen to be involved in everything, they are very quickly persuaded by food that kids are their bffs, unlike a cat/rabbit/guinea who either like people or don't and can over many weeks or months be convinced their kid is actually alright.
As both a pro and a con they do have a fairly short lifespan - usually 1 to 3 years once they leave the farm, which is obviously sad, but also a much shorter commitment than pretty much any other pet.
The poop is a thing, but once you've got a good system in place it's really not a big deal. Last time i had hens I had them on a combo of sand and straw. Straw just gets picked up and replaced and sand gets raked out and all the poop goes in the compost. For the occasionally inside adventure you can put a disposable face mask on like a nappy which keeps things tidy. Hook the straps over their shoulders/top of wings to give you half an hour to an hour or so of clean chook. I've had 7 chickens over the years and 3 of them have been cuddly, another 3 happy to sit on my lap for snacks and only 1 who wasn't keen.
I'm in Upper Hutt now and the poultry bylaws are bullshit so I rehomed my girls to friends (another bonus - it's very easy to find a good home for a few hens if you ever need to) but I miss them so much. You'll honestly just come to love their little bokky background chatter so much and become so invested in their delightful little soap opera social lives <3
Kia ora Emily, I wasn’t sure about becoming a paid subscriber but I read your email last night about committing to writing full time and I immediately signed up for the year to tautoko your bold move! Good on you for going for it, you’re amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing how this new platform develops over the year. E mihi ana ki a koe.
Emily, I once lived with a chicken in a flat years ago and she was fkn terrifying and used to chase me around the backyard trying to peck my ankles, and I am NOT a runner so fuck her, and her eyes were tiny and red and beady, and now I'm scared of chickens? Just thought I'd share that so you can factor it in x
I love You're Wrong About! I wish Mike and Sarah were my friends.