Do you consider your chickens a farm animal or a pet?

[CreativeAnna]

I have five chickens and am only really attached to one, the rest I look at as an investment. They're all cared for the same but one has stolen a place in my heart. She's just so darn friendly and has always allowed me to pick her up and "love" on her like a pet. The rest lost interest in being handled once they got bigger. When they were small I used to be their own personal perch when I'd interact with them but since they became adult sized my one is the only that continues to act as such. The one I'm attached to is named Linda lol

 

[islandgirl82]

Therapy, education and entertainment are also benefits that I have to agree with. Having a flock has been a wonderful way of teaching responsibility and patience to my children as well as the cycle of life and a greater grasp on where their food comes from (even though we raise for eggs not meat) instead of taking the convenience of a supermarket for granted. I also got into it because I want to know that the chickens I have are treated well and given a life beyond being egg making machines and then tossed out after a year and I wanted my children to understand that by raising our own and keeping our numbers small means they can live well.

I am also one who will not take a chicken to the vet nor do I medicate but I do invest in high quality organic food and they free-range the majority of the time and I've been blessed with a healthy flock and have yet to lose any to illness. In fact, I've yet to have an ill chicken.

 

[RonP]

My backyard flock is definitely a hobby, and they are pets with benefits.

They are a constant source of entertainment.

I enjoy tweaking their environment and learning all I can about them.

They in return provide me with rich compost and eggs, for family and friends.

I have yet to cull, regardless of egg productivity, and hope not to.

My oldest group is now near six years old, some still laying an occasional egg.

I add 2 each year for egg production, and built a coop and secure run large enough to handle 30 birds.

I currently have 12.

 

[duluthralphie]

I might be the only one, But I find this thread amazing. I really want to thank those of you the replied...

It is funny how a simple little bird like a chicken can be so many different things to so many people.

 

[donrae]

Basically livestock here, along with hobby animal. Not pets.

 

[tacmomma12]

I have a small flock now, only three chickens. They are two years old now, and I consider them outdoor pets really. They provide so much more than my cat does though haha. Insect control, fertilizer, garden pruning, entertainment, delicious eggs!

I talk to them, both in human and I also try in chicken too- whistles, clucks, bawks- I might be telling them nonsense of course, like the sky is upside down and that I put bugs in my ears or something, but they listen, eyes bright with interest when I use their names. They come when I call, because I often have blueberries or goldfish crackers which they love.

I would not go overboard with vet care mind you. So I guess they are pets, but not the same to me as a domestic cat or dog. I enjoy watching them go about their business eating and happily wandering my backyard. They used to let me pick them up, now it's really only when I absolutely have to.

I'll be getting more in the spring, as long as I can afford to.