Are chickens pets?

FalcoOat

In the Brooder
8 Years
May 11, 2011
22
0
22
Fargo, ND
To continue the dialogue about neighborhood covenants... It looks like our fight is really going to come down to whether or not these are 'customary household pets.' that is as specific as our covenant gets, and believe it is a good sign that they list birds as a part of that. So I am just curious, how many of you that have chickens view them as your pets, and would you feel confident fighting that definition in court? Also, does anyone have any good statistics on the percentage of the population that now keeps chickens, and how much it has grown in the past, say, 10 years? Thank you for any advice you can offer, we are in the thick of it now!!!
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I only have three hens but they are DEFINITELY pets in my household. Before I got them, I discussed it with quite a few friends. Most of them said that they didn't view it as any different than a bunny in a rabbit hutch in the back yard. If you have 10 or more of them... I don't know if you could make the same argument. Just my opinion, but when I'm out talking to them holding and petting them - no one could argue that they are my pets.
 
They all have names. I give them food and water and look after them. I enjoy their company. I give them medical attention when needed. I bury them when they die and I cry for their loss. Of course they are pets!
 
You need to obtain as much persuasive evidence as possible. Print out the home page from mypetchicken.com. Look up and print out catalogs for things like chicken diapers, harnesses and leads, etc., that are used by those with pet chickens.
 
When they come running, walk around us doing their little cluck, cluck and other contented noises; hop up on our legs while we sit in the chairs talking (gave up trying to eat out there) to be pet....yeah, I'd call them pets. My daughter spends more time with her chickens than she does with her dog. I have to remind her to "give that dog some attention."
 
"Customary" for whom? If you have always had chickens, then they are customary for you. But most non-chicken folks would probably say they are not customary. But they are definitely pets.

You might have a good fight since they were so vague on the description.
 
I'd say yes, they are more pets that anything when kept in small numbers. People have kept small flocks for personal egg use in their backyard forever. In the UK chickens are everywhere. A parakeet is a pet and so are many other birds. I consider the number the definitive difference between being a pet and livestock. Less than 12= pet. More than 12 probably livestock and production. Our area limits residential zoned lots to 12, roosters only with neighbor permission.
 
Never would have thought it, but they are totally pets! One more than the others, but they still swarm you when you go outside
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Henny penny would live inside if she could and can be found watching tv with our daughter Hannah. PS probably why she is not laying, LOL

Laura
 

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