How To Raise A Chicken As A Family Pet

Great article. Just wanted to say: Your chicks don't have to go outside at 4 to 5 weeks old. They can go out as soon as they are a weeks old. I just use an old bird cage.

That's how I like to raise my next generation of chickens!

Chickens as pets is ideal! I love mine so much!

Nice article on how to 'train'.your chicken. Step by step instructions are really helpful.

I used to lean over a tall brooding pen with cardboard sides. This would startle the chicks in seeing an aerial predator. Then I started entering the brooding pen by opening one of the removeable side panels. The chicks would be curious and come to me head on, instead of running away to safety from a big monster reaching over the wall from above. I raised mine in my office where I spent most of the time with them. They always see me, hear my voice and are picked up and held a lot.
I picked out a favorite early on, a Black Sex Link. She spends time with me in bed while watching tv and follows me around the house. I noticed a substantial difference in pet quality between her and the other hens that didn't get as much attention. Thanks for sharing this article with us.

I love that you posted this, I want my chickens (when I can finally get them) to be just like this. I’ve wanted chickens for years and it is finally looking like we are going to be able to buy a little farm. Waiting on my husband to finally retire ... again. Then it’s MY turn

Nice Tips

I enjoyed your article

I like this. It's always best to get them used to being handled from a young age. If you introduce a cockeral at some point later on it may not be as keen to be held as you then become second to the rooster.