So very true. The root of it is self centered behavior.

We had foxes, hawks and coyotes on our land. Never lost a bird to them, but I also worked hard to predator proof my coop, run and free range area. My birds were certainly pets😂

No, but sounds tasty😊. (For me anyway😂).

This is the whole point. Those making these suggestions don’t think and don’t care. They just don’t care.

It happens🤷‍♀️

I bought a coop, fencing, the birds, supplies, feed…it added up.

Also, there is no way to control spread of bird flu from wild birds to a flock if they free range. For me, no point in having chickens if they were kept “cooped up”. The eggs were the best I’ve ever had though. I can tell you back then, start up cost the first year was *thousands*.

This is a very good question. I had them when I lived in Maryland from 2008-16. Back then, cost of feed, coop, etc was less of course. I know coop costs can range drastically since one could make a coop or buy one. Mine free ranged, but I had a movable fence for protection. I had to supplement feed.

Fact.

As a person who has raised backyard chickens, this is the dumbest argument ever. It can cost *a lot* of money to keep even a modest flock of chickens. Keeping them healthy, safe from predators and fed is not a cheap endeavor. I still had to buy eggs when they quit laying in winter!

Happy Birthday! One small light in the darkness❤️

Just listened to yesterdays Marketplace. Thank you, Kai, for your calm delivery. Calm is not what I feel, but I am finding that sharing facts in a calm manner is getting through to some individuals I know who seemed unmoved. Thank you for the intelligent “fuel”.