If you’ve never owned chickens, you probably think they’re just egg-laying machines with feathers.
You would be wrong.
After spending countless hours watching my flock do chicken things, I’ve come to the conclusion that chickens have life figured out far better than most humans. They don’t read self-help books, listen to podcasts, or attend leadership seminars, yet somehow they seem perfectly content.
Here are 10 important life lessons I’ve learned from my chickens.
1. Pecking Is Necessary in Life
Sometimes you’ve got to establish boundaries.
Chickens call it the pecking order. Humans call it “setting healthy expectations.”
Same thing. Different marketing.
2. Sometimes You Have to Dig a Hole and Sit in It
When life gets stressful, chickens don’t schedule a spa day.
They dig a dirt hole, throw dirt over themselves, and sit there looking completely satisfied.
Honestly, they may be onto something.
3. Perching on the Top Rung and Glaring Down at Everyone Is Good for the Soul
Every flock has that one chicken.
You know the one.
She gets the highest perch, puffs up her feathers, and judges everyone below her as if she’s the queen of a tiny feathered kingdom.
Confidence is important.
4. If Someone Has Food, It Is Now Your Business
Chickens have never once respected personal space around snacks.
The second one finds something edible, the entire flock appears out of nowhere.
It’s a level of commitment most of us should aspire to.
5. Running Is Better Than Flying
Technically chickens can fly.
Will they?
Rarely.
Instead they run everywhere at full speed with their tiny legs pumping like their lives depend on it.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.
6. Scream First, Investigate Later
A leaf blows across the yard.
A butterfly lands nearby.
The garden hose moved slightly.
Clearly this is cause for panic.
Many chickens firmly believe it’s better to overreact and be wrong than stay calm and miss something exciting.
7. The Early Bird Gets the Worm… and Then Tells Everyone About It
Have you ever heard a hen after laying an egg?
The entire neighborhood knows about her accomplishment.
Maybe we should celebrate our wins a little more too.
8. Never Pass Up a Free Snack
Bug?
Eat it.
Seed?
Eat it.
Mystery object that might be food?
Definitely investigate it.
Chickens live by the philosophy that opportunities don’t come around twice.
9. Group Projects Are Mostly Standing Around Watching One Chicken Do All the Work
One hen finds the good spot.
One hen discovers the treats.
One hen figures out how to get through the gate.
The rest simply show up and benefit from the discovery.
Sound familiar?
10. Every Day Is Better With Friends
Whether they’re dust bathing together, scratching through the yard, or causing trouble as a group, chickens rarely want to be alone.
They’re a daily reminder that life is more fun when you have good company.
Final Thoughts
My chickens have taught me many things over the years.
Some lessons are profound.
Some are ridiculous.
Most involve food.
But if I’ve learned anything, it’s this: life is too short not to enjoy the sunshine, celebrate your accomplishments loudly, and occasionally sit in a hole you dug yourself.
The chickens certainly seem happy doing exactly that.