An 11-Year-Old Breeder's Report: 'Many Think Hens Hatch the Eggs'

For 11-year-old Niklas, the clatter of chickens is a familiar sound on his family's farm in Schleswig-Holstein. He is dedicated to breeding purebred poultry, a passion ignited by his uncle Thomas, who chairs a local breed poultry association. "He's been teaching me everything I need to know about chicken breeding since I can remember," Niklas says.

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He's been teaching me everything I need to know about chicken breeding since I can remember.

Niklas shares his responsibilities with his 10-year-old sister, Ina-Lena. While he handles watering and egg collection, gathering 15 to 20 eggs daily, Ina-Lena manages feeding. Their flock of around 150 chickens enjoys a varied diet, including vegetable scraps, fruit peels, and grains, though their favorite treat is watermelon. "Grains are like chocolate for them," Niklas notes.

Each chicken wears a leg band with a letter and number for identification, though most remain nameless, with the exception of Gustav, their seven-year-old favorite rooster, affectionately nicknamed "One-Eye" due to a lost eye. The siblings dedicate about an hour each day to chicken care, which includes feeding, providing water, and cleaning the coop. The chickens naturally roost in their coop at night, with droppings collected on boards beneath the perches.

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Grains are like chocolate for them.

Weekly health checks are a crucial part of their routine. Niklas carefully examines each chicken, while Ina-Lena records observations, noting any health issues like mites or signs of illness, such as a bluish comb indicating a cold. "Chicken breeding is different from chicken keeping," Niklas explains, highlighting the requirement to join an association for breeding purposes.

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Chicken breeding is different from chicken keeping.