[Oddgirlout]

Anyone keep chickens for pets? I have eight....they are so funny to watch! And they have a side benefit.....a steady supply of fresh eggs!

[Skeezyks]

Hi Oddgirlout: The Skeezyks only has a small dog nowadays. But, growing up, we had chickens. I had one in particular that was a pet. They were fun, & as you say, useful too! Thanks for the memory!

[lizardlady]

I have four. I enjoy watching them. And, yep, enjoy the fresh eggs. I sell mine to cover the cost of feeding "The Ladies."

I have 3 and they are all characters! we love them and the fresh eggs are just a bonus

[barbella]

I think there's another member here who is or was raising chickens.
So interesting that so many ppl have chickens!! Cool that they are so much fun.
There's a small farm near a friend's cottage up north & they have chickens. when we go for eggs, the chickens all come out to greet us!! Pretty friendly birds!!

[lizardlady]

My "ladies" like certain weeds in my yard. When I'm out weeding they will line up along the side of the coop and cluck at me wanting me to bring them their favorite weeds. I oblige them by providing.

[Gus1234U]

my favorite chicken was a Chinese Silkie~



and then of course, there were the Banties~

[Gus1234U]

only a couple could be trusted to be "Brood Hens"~!

[DaisyBlossom]

Originally Posted by Oddgirlout

Anyone keep chickens for pets? I have eight....they are so funny to watch! And they have a side benefit.....a steady supply of fresh eggs!

I live in a suburb where I'm allowed chickens as pets.
Having been a city girl all my life I never thought it would be fun, but what an eye opener.
We at one stage had between 25/30 chickens. I built them a hen house made of brick and mortar, with mirrors and mosaics and it was just fabulous. The chickens were of the silky breed. They all had names and were so tame that they came into the kitchen door and roamed the house at dusk. My cats and dogs didn't know the difference and they were accepted as part of the family.
Unfortunately I live next to a nature reserve. We have a pair of crown eagles living close by and because of the continuos drought, the natural food source became scarce and my chickens became a source of food for the eagles. It was very sad for me, and my PTSD made it hard for to accept that it was nature. I tried my best to keep my chickens safe, but I lost the fight. One time I even save one of the hens, and rushed her to the vet. It cost me $60 to patch her up.
I miss the chickens badly. They are lovable little creatures who do the funniest things. They care for one another and they are little busy bodies, always scratching and pottering about. They keep garden pests at bay and give a steady supply of eggs. They are also pretty good at guarding the house. They make a big racket when someone is around.
I will only have 1 rooster though in future. The boys fight quite badly and that upsets me.
I am in the process of building a big wired enclosure(10x5meters x2meters high) for the new chickens. This way I can keep them safe from the eagles and they have a safe haven to run to when they see the eagles in the air. Enjoy your babies......did you know you can hypnotize them

[levin69]

I don't see anything wrong making chicken as a pet as long as you have the enough knowledge and resources. But some states aren't allowing chicken to be housed in a home.

[lizardlady]

DaisyBlossomm, hawks have gone after my chickens. I bought a 10X10 dog pen that's 6 feet high. Then stretched chicken wire over the top. Makes a great place for the ladies to do their thing and keeps the predators away.