are chickens pets?

[CluckyCharms]

Regardless of whether you live on a farm or in a city or are "predisposed" to one opinion over another - it still isn't your right (or anyone's) to say whether or not chickens are pets in regard to chickens that do not belong to you. To do so would be presumptuous and rude, at best. If someone believes their chickens are their pets then they are their pets - it's as simple as that.

 

[PrairieChickens]

I didn't grow up on a farm, but I grew up in farm culture, so I know what you mean. I never understood the idea of pet chickens until recently, and even though I gave our chickens names, it was more for the purpose of organization than anything. It's easier to keep track of a Millie, Maude, and Gladys than a chicken #1, chicken #2, and chicken #3. It wasn't until we got our new batch of chicks this year that I discovered the appeal of pet chickens, and now I have a few members of our current flock that I would be happy to feed and shelter for the rest of their days even if they never produced a single egg. The rest of them, though... They are still livestock. Highly enjoyable livestock, but still livestock.

 

[animallover505]

Mine are, with the bonus of eggs!

 

[PrairieChickens]

Regardless of whether you live on a farm or in a city or are "predisposed" to one opinion over another - it still isn't your right (or anyone's) to say whether or not chickens are pets in regard to chickens that do not belong to you. To do so would be presumptuous and rude, at best. If someone believes their chickens are their pets then they are their pets - it's as simple as that.

I don't think anyone is making that statement...

 

[CluckyCharms]

I don't think anyone is making that statement...

...and you have a right to think that - I disagree (and I wasn't even referring to your post, as at least you stated your perspective with some degree of neutrality). I won't be returning to this thread though, that's for sure.

 

[dowgirl71]

Yes, I love my girls! They are definitely pets-all have names and their own personalities. I love going out and spending time with my girls. None of them have started laying, YET, but they make me laugh! They can be so funny!

 

[Pyxis]

My chickens are pets for sure! My oldest girl has stopped laying and she can live here as long as she likes (she was my first chicken, the accidental chicken that got me into chickens). She's certainly not as friendly as my new batch from this year, but she's welcome here. In fact, all my birds will live with me long after they stop laying. Everyone has a name and is loved

 

[AnimalsComeFirst]

Pets? No. Spoiled rotten/royalty/adored/pampered pet chickens is what mine are! We own alot of special needs birds, and when their wounds/sores are needing treatment in the winter (or for extreme care in the warmer months) guess where they go? In the house, bedded down in the bathtub full of warm blankets and cut up cooked chicken and antibitoic filled water! Not to mention hen saddles in the winter if their feathers are gone on their backs. Thats just the way 80% of us are on here, chick-a-holics!

 

[Whittni]

I keep 6 hens as layers and the rest as pets, but even the layer hens are pets.

"Keep chickens with the intention of no profits."

 

[4Bchicks]

They are pets...we all love watching them, letting them out in the yard and checking the egg box. All eight have names.