Chicken Therapy 😊

Published March 2025

The Power of Chickens

During the pandemic, Rynell and her family started a fun homeschooling project that blossomed into something truly special. Their flock of chickens brought them joy, healing, and a closer connection to nature and their community. The chickens really helped her recently adopted son feel at home and sparked a love for homesteading in the whole family. More than just providing fresh eggs, those feathered friends became a wonderful source of peace and purpose for everyone. This is the heartwarming story of how a little flock of chickens made such a big impact on their lives!

The Chicken Keeping Journey

In January 2024, Omlet excitedly issued a casting call for a film project exploring the joys of chicken keeping. They found the perfect participant in Rynell, a mother of three and chicken enthusiast from San Diego.
Rynell explains, “We decided to get chickens as part of our homeschooling journey,” but they quickly became much more than just a teaching tool. “It was life-changing! They bring so much joy to my life and my kids’ lives. It’s truly transformed our family.”
 Initially intended as a way to teach responsibility, the chickens significantly enriched family interactions. This was especially true for Rynell’s son, Elijah, who had just joined the family through foster care. Rynell shares, “The chickens arrived as Elijah became part of our family.
He was supposed to have extra therapy, but COVID cancelled much of that. Welcoming the chickens into our lives was wonderful and therapeutic for him.” The daily rituals of caring for the chickens provided Elijah with stability and created a special bond between him and his feathered friends.

A New Way of Living

What began as a few chickens evolved into a passion for self-sufficiency. “One thing led to another,” Rynell shares. “After getting chickens, I started cooking with the fresh eggs, began a kitchen garden, and eventually decided to write a blog about it.
The homesteading life is contagious, and I love providing for my family!” Now, Rynell’s meals are all about being homegrown and homemade. “The fresh eggs have transformed my cooking! We also grow our own potatoes, and when combined with crispy bacon and fresh eggs, it’s delicious! My kids love hard-boiled eggs, and we have an apple tree in our yard. One of my favourite recipes is for apple pancakes, which everyone enjoys!”
Raising chickens has also strengthened their connection with neighbours. “When people find out we have chickens, their kids want to come over. Some friends have even started raising chickens, too!”

Chicken Therapy

Chickens offer more than just eggs; they provide a unique peace, which Rynell calls “chicken therapy.” “At the end of the day, I love sitting outside listening to their clucks. It eases my anxiety,” she says. Each chicken has its own personality—Peanut, the smallest chick, is now the boss, while a Cream Legbar enjoys perching on Rynell’s shoulder. In these everyday moments, it’s clear: chickens do more than provide; they truly transform our lives!

Rynell's Recommendation

Like many chicken keepers, what began as a small flock of six has grown into a lively group of fourteen - something we call "Chicken Maths!"
Rynell shares, "I just can’t resist adding one more. We have beautiful Marans, Olive Eggers, Ameraucanas, and Cream Legbars!"
The family uses two coops: an Eglu Pro and a wooden one. Rynell loves the Eglu Pro, especially its automatic door. She says, "It’s a user-friendly coop compared to our old wooden one. We had issues with mites before, but since switching to the Omlet, we haven't seen any! It's worth every penny - no more scrubbing or mite problems!" The kids enjoy helping out, especially when collecting eggs, which they consider the most fun chore.

Thinking of Getting Chickens?

Rynell encourages families thinking of getting chickens to “Go for it! It’s worth every moment. Raising chickens has brought so much joy and boosted our health. Chickens are more than just a source of eggs; they keep us connected and remind us of what’s important.”

You may be surprised at how much they can brighten your life!

"It was life transforming. They bring so much joy, not only to my life, but to my kid's lives too. It's been life-changing for our family." _Rynell

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