are chickens pets?

[hallerlake]

I'm fond of my chickens, and they all have names, but I'm interested in breeding. I don't have a lot of room, so anyone I can't use in my program needs ro be gone. I rehome them whenever possible, but sometimes roosters have to go to the feed store where they are sold to be eaten I suppose. They are pets, but they're not members of the family like some people's pets are.

 

[theoldchick]

More to the point: Are chickens livestock or a pet?

I guess it is according to the reason why you have chickens. Even if you are a breeder, you take care of them, nurture them, and watch them grow. We enjoy their company, and while some understand their future dinner is walking around our feet, some of us only want eggs. Even though chickens can't lick our face like a dog, some are content to sit in our lap and survey all that goes on around them. They beg for food, they come when called, and will live in the house. They improve our lives emotionally and physically.

So, yes, chickens do have the potential to be pets.

 

[mandelyn]

The line between pet and livestock is a blurry one. Large scale dog kennels, with 500 dogs, to me that makes them livestock. Commercial, for profit.

You can't tell me that 5 chickens in the back yard is livestock/farming. Not when you can have 5 dogs, 5 Macaws, 5 snakes... but no, not 5 chickens... those are livestock. That goofy turkey who follows you around, comes when called and gobbles on demand, he's livestock too, no matter if he's 1 of 5 or 1 of 1,000.

In my state, you need different paperwork at 999 birds, and 9,999 birds. What about the difference between 5 and 100? 5 urban pets, or 100 nameless layers.

We're looking at property right now, and one of them calls for "1 animal unit per acre". So, I checked to see if chickens were 1 unit. Yes, they're considered livestock. So on 2 acres, we can have 2 chickens. Or two horses. Silly. We can have 5 pets though. Too bad 5 chickens can't be called pets. Not yet anyways.

 

[fishnet1971]

They are all in what we want them to be. In my case, yes, they are my pets.

 

[HenFriend]

Mine are pets, they don't lay enough eggs to cover feed costs, half of them are roos and they all have names and live until they die of old age! The eggs are a bonus and way better than any available in the shops.

 

[Sk8inChick(en)]

Are chickens pets? Definitely not. At least not my chickens...

I have two Light Brahmas, one of which is laying, er, um, was laying. When she is consistent, she lays 2-3 (4 at the most, once in a blue moon) eggs per week. She is on "Winter Break" at the moment. We wouldn't get rid of our hens if they stopped laying. That is, if one of them ever does lay.

They have a backyard coop that is meant for 8 LF chickens, but the two of them make do. They can squeeze themselves into it.

"Kitty" has a chicken diaper with a leash attached and the other day, we took "Kitty and Georgie" to the park in a wagon.

Yep, definitely not pets.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Pets yes, friends yes. They have brought me out of depression so to me they are priceless. They run to greet me when I call and follow me around. They sit on my front deck and wait for me to come out. I talk to them and they sit on my lap and fall asleep. I really love me chickens.

 

[iron chicken]

Are chickens pets? Definitely not. At least not my chickens...

I have two Light Brahmas, one of which is laying, er, um, was laying. When she is consistent, she lays 2-3 (4 at the most, once in a blue moon) eggs per week. She is on "Winter Break" at the moment. We wouldn't get rid of our hens if they stopped laying. That is, if one of them ever does lay.

They have a backyard coop that is meant for 8 LF chickens, but the two of them make do. They can squeeze themselves into it.

"Kitty" has a chicken diaper with a leash attached and the other day, we took "Kitty and Georgie" to the park in a wagon.

Yep, definitely not pets.

lol

 

[real_redhead]

Mine are definitely pets with the added benefit that they give something back besides love! Too funny about this post I was just telling my husband that this morning...anyone who doesn't think a chicken is a pet is missing out!! I love my chickens!!

 

[Honey_Silvas]

Mine are pets. Many of them will come sit with me whether I have treats or not. I don't get rid of them just because they don't lay eggs anymore.