What do you all think of chickens as pets? Do you have any as pets?

Question

I have two chickens as my favorite pets, Buckie and Buster, then I have other ones. I was just wondering if I was alone on liking chickens. So tell me what you think of them as pets, tell me if you have any as pets, and tell me the names if you want. I was just curious what you all thought.

Answer 1

I have had chickens as pets for most of my life, except for some periods when I was at college, etc. And contrary to what some peole say, you CAN cuddle a chicken -- if it is hand-raised and bonded to you. (Pretty much the same as any bird -- parrots, budgies, cockatiels -- all are tamer if hand-raised.) Chickens will also recognize you from among strangers. My chickens eat out of my hand when I'm alone with them, but shy away from visitors they don't know.

My first chicken was a Leghorn rooster named Henry that I had as a child. We got him as a chick and since he was the only chicken we had, he imprinted on us and followed me everywhere. He was so tame my sister used to wheel him around in her doll buggy. All the kids in the neighborhood played with him. (The pace we lived in allowed chickens and ducks as pets.)

Regarding the "crap" that everyone refers to in these chicken threads here, let me say this: chickens are no worse than any other bird -- a macaw will crap on you, so will a budgie or a parrot, but you don't find people saying not to have those species because of it. So why pick on chickens??? Birds in general do not housebreak. It's something you have to put up with if you want birds -- not unlike putting up with dirty diapers if you want kids. Life isn't always super-sanitary. On the other hand, I don't recommend letting a chicken run around the house. Mine are outdoor birds.

In terms of city ordinances, some places do permit chickens in small numbers as pets. Madison, WI, for example, allows 4 hens (no roosters) as long as they are fenced in, the coop is kept clean and a certain distance from the neighbors, etc. I live in the country now so I can have all the chickens I want. My latest acquisitions are four Silkie chicks that my banty hen, Spunky, hatched out for me. Silkies, I'm told, are easy to tame and love being handled and petted. I haven't named them yet -- still getting to know their personalities.

Answer 2

We have chickens. We had two - Midnight who would lay beautiful big brown eggs. She was pretty friendly and deffinalty ran the roust. She was a black sexling. Then we got a white longhorn named Snowwhite. She laid smaller white eggs. We didn't get her as a baby and was ok, but not as friendly. Then we got Pepper - she was sooo pretty. She had black feathers, and the very edge of every feather was white. She was the coolest bird, that is, until we put her in the cage with the other two. She was about 6 months, and the other two were about 2 years. When we came back, it wasn't pretty. Did you know that older, more domenant chickens will peck younger chickens. She didn't make it. Then we got this really cool chicken, Rhonda. She was a Long Island Red. Big brown eggs almost every day. We let the chickens out if we are working in the yard. She would follow us and scratch the ground for bugs. I was afraid to put her in the cage with the other two. She got out one night and became lunch for a racoon... very sad. About two weeks later, a racoon got into the other cage and ate my Midnight and Snowwhite. The stupid racoon left the bones. Creeped me out! Now I have two sexlings - babies, well, maybe 5 months old. I keep their cage in the garage for now, but it's getting a bit smelly. It's about time to secure their cage the best I can and let them out back (in the cage that is). They are clearing about 100 acres near us and the wild life is hungery. I like my feathery friends, and their eggs have a better flavor then the store bought ones. They are healthier, too.

Answer 3

I had chickens as pets when I was a kid, they make great pets! I used to spend the night in the back yard my favorite chicken Bitsy would get out and sleep on me or next to me. My mom has a pic. of me asleep in the back yard with Bitsy sleeping on my back. All my chickens knew tricks! They are very smart, and can be very friendly with enough personal attention! I will be getting some more soon, I miss them and getting fresh eggs everyday!

Answer 4

I dont think I'd have a chicken as a pet if you like them thats ok I'm happy the my two gerbils, Rose And Angelina

Answer 5

We had a great one at school, a big white rooster named Elvis.
Later at the vet clininc I met a super-sweet chicken named Milly,
who belonged to two little kids- she was attacked by a dog and we patched her up with surgical staples, so now I can say I've stapled a chicken...

Answer 6

In most urban areas, chickens are considered livestock. In most urban and suburban areas, it is a violation of local ordinance to have house livestock in an urban/suburban home. So, in most urban/suburban areas, owning a chicken is illegal.

That being said, because I grew up in Detroit, and lived in large cities all of my life, I"ve never considered having a chicken as a pet.

Answer 7

I think they are wonderful pets,especially if they lay eggs. but how do you keep them from pooping all over the place? P.S. What about the new chicken disease thats killing everybody? Maybe they have mad chicken disease ,lol,oops that cows ,well its something bad,lol

Answer 8

we use to have like 20 chickens. They are okay.. not very friendly and you can't cuddle them and they wake you at 5 in the morning. But they give you eggs ^_^

Answer 9

Wonderful pets during the day... and make a nice dish in the evening.

Answer 10

i personally don't have any chickens, but my friend has about seven of them and she keeps them as pets. she loves them just like some people love their dogs.