Hatching happiness: How backyard chicken-keeping gave me back my zen

by Bianca Golz

Honestly, life already felt like a chicken run – kids, work, repeat. I didn't have a minute to spare. Yet, in a moment of sheer madness, I decided to get chickens for my garden. And, let me tell you, falling in love with these mother cluckers was the best thing I didn't know I needed.?

It was a natural progression since starting veggie gardening a few years ago and suddenly feeling a desperate need to embrace an albeit ‘urban’ process of ‘rewilding ’ (which is an emerging wellness trend making its way into the travel industry, by the way). Plus, chickens in the city – why not? (Did you know, you're allowed up to 10 chickens in a residential area in Joburg, and in Cape Town, up to five without a permit?).??

The journey from newbie chicken mama to full-blown poultry parent was unexpected. I’ve found joy in the simplest things – raising fluffy little chicks into goofy velociraptors (and nursing a sick little one along the way), watching them engage in hilarious smackdowns to steal each other’s treats, and yes, even scooping poop out of the coop evert morning. It forces me into the great outdoors for a bit, and since nobody else is keen to participate in such a stinky chore, it gets me some quiet ‘me-time’, too. Ultimately, it’s safe to say my chickens have quickly become a slice of peace in my otherwise hectic world.?

It’s true. Chickens are so much more than just feathered egg factories (although in the times of such serious egg shortages, every egg a backyard chicken lays may as well be golden!). Believe it or not, ‘chicken therapy’ is real. You can see it in action on the HenPower Facebook page. HenPower is essentially an organisation that brings chickens into care homes across the UK. The goal? To reduce residents’ feelings of loneliness and promote well-being. It’s an incredible initiative and so heart-warming.

Tanya Bailey, a licensed social worker, researcher, and Ph.D. student at the University of Minnesota, says:?

“Chickens are sentient beings with unique personalities and abilities to reason. They recognise faces, form social bonds, and are incredibly smart. I believe some chickens make choices to connect differently with people, and these connections help provide many people with learning, growth, and healing.”?

Indeed, research shows chickens have personalities, emotions, and even a bit of empathy. In short, your chicken will gladly step in as a shoulder to cry on – as long as you have a couple of mealworms handy, that is.??

So, here’s the thing: you don't need a farm to welcome a (small) flock of chickens into your life. Of course, it’s important to do your research and be ready to deal with the challenges and responsibilities that come with having them in your backyard. But if you do decide to take the leap, you’ll quickly come to realise that even when juggling work, kids, and chicken chores feels like a scramble, these birds bring a sense of calm and joy into your daily routine that's pretty cluckin’ hard to beat.

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