are chickens pets?

[Suzierd]

I also think this is a great thread, it has made me very happy to see the poll results and know what joy chickens can bring and to see that most people think more of them then just meat/eggs.
May your chickens bring you much joy and make your heart happy. They really are good for the soul.

 

[bookjunky4life]

Mine are pets. I could never eat them. I am more protective of my favorites than the others. However, they are down the list of pets, as far as how upset I would be if something happened to them. Housecats first, dogs second, outside cats third, chickens and ducks fourth, then the goldfish. Falcon, my favorite hen by far, could be up there in third with the outside cats. I love to just sit in their coop or pen and just watch them. I have trained Falcon to fly to my arm. She laid her first egg on Saturday. I was a proud Mama. Because I am so attached, I am struggling with what do to do with some of the roosters. I have 9 roosters (2 of which are bantams and will def be kept) and only 10 or 12 hens. I have 2 roosters that I'd really like to keep because they are so low key (a plymouth rock and a RIR), four I could part with (2 jersey giants and 2 ameraucana) and one I have a love/hate relationship with (a beautiful buff orphington with personality but is constantly harrassing my hens). Never buying straight run again....

 

[loriesmall]

Yes, ours are pets. They all have names. The main reason we have them is for thier eggs. When they stop laying, they will stay with the flock until they die. I love all of the different personalities and I talk to them whenever I am tending to them.

 

[Snowygirl]

x2

Ours are pets, they all have names, and in my book, once you name something, you really can't eat it.....

We do love having fresh eggs too.

 

[15littlem]

Mine are livestock. When I first got chicks from Tractor Supply, they were killed by a coon. After several more batches that have been attacked by predators or disease, I have learned to treat the two that I currently have as livestock to deal with losses. They are quite tame, and sometimes think they are pets, but due to nature, we are forced to treat them as livestock.

 

[OneCrazyCowgirl]

Pets and Livestock. They are both! You can have a livestock animal and still treat 'em like a pet! Or you can have a 100% pet chicken! Either way is fine! Chickens can be like pets with a bonus, eggs! Depending on how you look at it. Chickens are pets and livestock.

 

[chickenlickin8]

My chickens are definitely considered PETS with benefits...eggs, fertilizer, and hours of enjoyment!

 

[Brookliner]

PETS...I love to listen to their conversations. I have 5 Roos and possibly 4 more that are chicks. I listen in as they are going to roost at night. They are all talking amongst themselves as they find their favorite spot on the roost bar and my little d'unccle bantam hen still tries to get under the wing of the roo next to her. Since I have 3 broody hens with chicks there are only 4 hens with the five Roos in the main coop. Every night when I check on them it is roo, hen, roo, hen, roo alternating with a roo on each end. In the next few weeks my new coop will be ready to move into. I will move 2 of the broody hens and their 9 chicks first. Then as soon as they are settled I will move the other 4 hens. My 5 Roos will stay in the old coop for the winter or at least until the hens and chicks are settled into the new coop. I plan to re roof the old coop next summer. One of my broodys has very young chicks...they will remain in their broody coop for a while yet.

 

[Sabrina 42]

Definitely pets - cost me more than they give, they get hot oatmeal on cold days especially made for them and our silkie hangs out in the house some days and even went trick or treating with our daughter this year!

 

[cubbycopter47]

Yes My chicknes are my pets I love them to death and if I HAD to get rid of some I would give them to people who would not kill them