July 2nd, 2024

Forget about the gym Chicken-sizing will keep you fit

The author shares how back issues led her to explore "chicken-sizing" as an alternative exercise, involving caring for chickens through tasks like squatting and lifting. This routine offers physical benefits and a meaningful connection.

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Forget about the gym Chicken-sizing will keep you fit

In a personal account, the author shares how her relationship with traditional exercise soured due to back issues, leading her to explore alternative forms of physical activity. Inspired by global practices, she adopted "chicken-sizing," caring for chickens as a form of exercise. This routine involves tasks like squatting, lifting, and chasing chickens, providing unexpected physical benefits. The author highlights the advantages of chicken-sizing, such as the constant commitment it requires and the rewarding experience of caring for the animals. Additionally, the routine eliminates the need to change into workout clothes and offers companionship from the chickens. Beyond physical fitness, chicken-sizing also yields fresh eggs as a bonus. The author reflects on the meaningful connection to the activity and the sense of purpose it brings, contrasting it with the mechanized exercise culture in the U.S. The practice of chicken-sizing is portrayed as a blend of physical activity, mindfulness, and daily chores, offering a unique approach to staying fit while enjoying the benefits of raising chickens.

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Link Icon 13 comments
By @kazinator - 3 months
Is this supposed to be some portmanteau of "chicken" and "exercising", which wants to be "chickencising"?

All the search engine hits for "chicken-sizing" point to that article, or else to material about measuring and sorting chickens.

By @taylodl - 4 months
Isn't that why they recommend for people to get a dog? You have to walk them every day, and dogs enjoy a brisk walk!, and they help with stress.

I'll put it this way - I don't have any problems closing my exercise ring on my Apple Watch just by walking my dog and I walk at a pace that keeps my heart rate at 120 bpm and above. Add in some push-ups, wall sits, step lifts, crunches, and planks (in other words - any so-called "7-minute workout"), and you're set!

By @gadders - 4 months
We've kept chickens for about 13 or so years now.

For daily tasks, all you really need to do is collect the eggs. If you have a big enough feeder and water supply, you can just top those up once a week.

You do have to lock them up at night and release them in the morning, but that is covered by something like the devices here: https://chickenguard.co.uk/shop/

This is in the UK where the main predators are foxes.

I don't know why the author is chasing his chickens back to the pen. They normally want to go back to the coop to roost at night on their own.

By @Noumenon72 - 3 months
I was subscribing to this theory when I decided to go into factory work instead of an office job. As far as keeping me active with no willpower, it worked great and I stayed thin and healthy. But aging takes its toll, and that's where focused workouts shine. Our knowledge of physical therapy has increased a lot in my lifetime, so you can correct most of life's little aches and pains now -- but only if you aren't using your time chasing chickens.
By @jnwatson - 3 months
I had lower back problems from running until I found a stretch that immediately fixed it. It was debilitating.

The solution was the simple butterfly stretch. Even 20 seconds resolves my lower back pain.

YMMV.

By @akira2501 - 3 months
> Failure is not an option: You cannot make up an excuse not to work out.

Failure is inevitable, much more so if you live alone, so living through disaster becomes the option. Variety is probably also good.

Running the numbers, though, the greater return is on managing your calorie intake. You can burn 200 extra calories managing chickens every day or you can figure out where that 200 calories needs to be cut out of your diet. The latter is a far more reliable approach.

By @kaikai - 3 months
I call it “rural CrossFit.” I’m in great shape because I build fence, turn compost piles, haul water, and walk long distances regularly. I’ve noticed that when I work with people who are gym-fit, they tap out much faster even though they’re often “stronger” than me. I’m still not a fast runner, but my endurance is incredible compared to most tech workers my age. Plus, I get meat and veggies for my efforts.
By @h2odragon - 4 months
"Do real things" is great advice. Not only do you improve your health by moving your body, the things get done, too.

"I can't clean the garage right now, I have to go to the gym!"

By @sybercecurity - 4 months
I'm disappointed they didn't mention the chicken chasing scene from Rocky II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7cDQY9wVF8
By @polar8 - 3 months
Isn’t this just called normal life for all but the most privileged of us?
By @user63900 - 3 months
City guy discovers that farming is physical, shocking. You don’t need raising chickens to get exercise. A little self discipline will do.