Are chickens pets?

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
It's hard to find such statistics as there are no common records to track such things. You'd be able to get that info for cities that require a permit. Perhaps researching which cities in your state allow keeping chickens under permit and then calling city officials for specific numbers would give you some ammunition regarding how common it is in your state.

Google "pet chicken" and you get 5 million + hits

There are numerous books for sale on Amazon on keeping pet chickens.

This forum has close to 100,000 members, many of whom keep chickens as pets in urban/suburban settings.

I think you could argue that in court.

 

[cmfarm]

Yes, I think chickens can be pets, so can pigs and cows but at the end of the day they are all classified as livestock. Many people think they are stinky offinsive animals (like cows, pigs and other livestock). That is why there is a limit on how many you can have in the cities that allow them.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Many, many years ago (when my almost 97 year old aunt was a young child, my great grandparents had a pet hen and a pet rooster who lived in their house. Roosted on the top of the kitchen cabinets at night, and according to my very proper aunt, the house was always immaculate. They also had plenty of "livestock" chickens for meat and eggs, but even back then at least some people had pet chickens.

 

[Silkies Mom]

My Silkies are my pets. They have names - Chickita, Juanita and Lolita. I spend time with them. I brush them. I care for them and clean their little housing area. I talk to them and cuddle them. They are MOST definitely my pets.

 

[4Hchickenproject]

Any chance you could take one of your pets with you to the town meeting? LOL... but seriously. I never would have considered chickens as pets, that is, until I got my own. Our pullets are most definitely our pets! People who have never been around them, or who only had them as livestock, won't understand until they witness it.

Perhaps letters (and pictures) from several people around the nation who DO keep chickens as pets, might help as a reference??

Good luck!

 

[the Pollo Loco]

I guess that if you could persuade them that "yes" they are your pets because you don't eat them, then maybe they'll believe...

 

[Sword]

My 11 little bantams are pets.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Yesterday at the feed store they had official "chicken toys." I guess if a large pet company makes toys for chickens... http://www.horseloverz.com/Lixit-Ch...eat-Ball-for-Chickens---Yellow-pr-629929.html

 

[secuono]

Mine are pets, I have lots of them, but I still love them and spoil them and greve if they pass.
I'd say 10yrs ago, chickens were more just strictly livelihood and business. Now they are pets, livelihood, hobby, passion, small side business and great mood booster!

 

[Nicole01]

All my chickens are our pets! Even though the ordinance says we must use them for egg or meat production. I love my girls as much as any other pet, if not more. Every single one comes up and jumps in my lap.