are chickens pets?

[Pinx]

Some are and some aren't. If I get attached to them then I will keep them until they die of old age, if not then when they are no longer useful I will sell/give them away.

For instance, my outside flock I want mainly for broodies for my Serama, and eggs for the kitchen. I had one hen that would fight all the other hens off their eggs or just plain steal their eggs.. which is fine, but she would leave one nest to go to another. She ruined a lot of eggs, and since she was always broody she hardly ever laid eggs. So I gave her to a friend that has chickens for the sole purpose of being pets.

My Serama hens that have done their job for me, I will keep in an a community Serama coop. So they can live out the rest of their lives being chickens. Not sure what I am going to do with the roosters yet. I can't see killing them because they did their job for me and out produced themselves... so I will have to figure something out.

So I'm 50% bleeding heart and 50% business haha.

 

[PuffyChick]

Ours are "pets with a purpose". But if the zombie apocalypse comes, they will be livestock!

Oh sorry this made me think ....


Pet ..that tastes like chicken! LOL

 

[CluckyCharms]

Are chickens pets? tell me why or why not.

The definition of "pet" itself is: "a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility."

Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Definition for Utility when referring to animals:

kept to provide a useful product or service rather than for show or as a pet <utility livestock> <a utility dog>

Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary



According to this definition:

seeing eye dogs are not pets (they provide sight to the unseeing, that is a service)
service dogs are not pets (they provide varying services to those who are unable to do for themselves)
K9 dogs are not pets (they are used to service the community by sniffing out drugs, finding missing children, and protecting their own)
barn cats are not pets (they are a service pet used to rid the immediate environment of rodents/varmints)
chickens are not pets (they are a service, providing eggs and meat for consumption and/or sales)

...proof that the definition of a term should not always be the only reference point when deciding on whether chickens are pets or livestock.

I know a few cops (personally) who would have a field day with you if you even thought of calling their K9s "livestock" or "weapons" - those dogs are closer to them than some of their own human relatives. I also lived next to a blind woman when we were in Arizona - she'd come unglued if you told her that her shepherd was nothing more than "just her eyes" - he is her life.

So when you ask if a chicken is a pet - my answer would be: It is a pet if its owner calls it a pet.

 

[OCpeep]

Definitely pets. I plan on keeping them until they die of old age. My husband jokes though about having "chicken dinner" once they stop laying. Very funny.

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

Mine are, but if I raise meat ones those won't be. It's always fun to have a couple as pets, then, you could have your livestock chickens. Those could always become chicken soup when they slow down, but you still have a couple pets to love.

 

[Amarisus]

The definition of "pet" itself is: "a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility." Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary Definition for Utility when referring to animals: kept to provide a useful product or service rather than for show or as a pet I] livestock> I] dog> Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary According to this definition: seeing eye dogs are not pets (they provide sight to the unseeing, that is a service) service dogs are not pets (they provide varying services to those who are unable to do for themselves) K9 dogs are not pets (they are used to service the community by sniffing out drugs, finding missing children, and protecting their own) barn cats are not pets (they are a service pet used to rid the immediate environment of rodents/varmints) chickens are not pets (they are a service, providing eggs and meat for consumption and/or sales) ...proof that the definition of a term should not always be the only reference point when deciding on whether chickens are pets or livestock. I know a few cops (personally) who would have a field day with you if you even thought of calling their K9s "livestock" or "weapons" - those dogs are closer to them than some of their own human relatives. I also lived next to a blind woman when we were in Arizona - she'd come unglued if you told her that her shepherd was nothing more than "just her eyes" - he is her life. So when you ask if a chicken is a pet - my answer would be: It is a pet if its owner calls it a pet.

Thank you! That's what I keep saying! I hate it when people TELL you what your animal is or isn't to you. It doesn't matter what kind of animal it is what matters is how much it means to you. Things aren't always just black and white.

 

[RangingChicks]

Pets all the way!

 

[benwantegg]

Like somebody said earlier in the thread, its pets that are making us breakfast!!!!

When we decided that we wanted to have hens it was for having free eggs. But since we got them, the entire family got attached and we do feel worried when one of them is not feeling great.

Im from the city and i have never lived with livestock before but i really enjoy it. Its keeping us grounded and making us relax when they are pecking all over the backyard.

I hope that my children feel the same as me and are enjoying small little things of the life like taking care of some chickens!!! A lot of good family moments are related with having the chickens around...!!

Its amazing to see my children smiling when we pick up eggs!!!

 

[ederob]

Our chickens are pets.

 

[cheeka]

It is a pet if its owner calls it a pet.