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

[islandgirl82]

My parents had a flock of 30 when I was little, half layers and half meat but I don't remember much because racoons raided the coop one night and wiped them all out.

A few years ago I got my own starter flock of 4 for eggs and pest control. Honestly, they were creepy to me at first. I didn't know what to make of them when they would run at me but one got injured one day and needed extra care. She won me over and quickly learned her name and would come running when she was called. There was one other from my starter flock who had taken to me straight away and loved being held. I was devastated when I lost both to a predator. I never thought I could be so upset over a chicken. I even started shooting predators to protect them and I'm so so far from a gun person.

I keep my numbers small (my current flock consists of 6 females of three different age ranges and 1 cockerel and this is the most I've ever had at one time) so I can let them live out their lives. I have culled a rooster when he became a liability to my girls. I hand raised them and he did everything he could to keep them away from me, including chasing them out into road. He had them so stressed out that they even stopped laying. I had kept only 2 hens for about a year and a half but the longer I've had chickens the less often I find myself eating meat so the bulk of my protein comes from eggs.

They're great about pest control. I even have one pullet who stakes out my wild bird feeder and chases off the squirrels. She's saving me a small fortune on sunflower seeds in doing so. They also love helping me weed my flower beds and they do leave the established plants alone. It's a win/win.

All and all they are pets with benefits but I will cull if their health and safety is at risk.

 

[Mrs. K]

I love the flock. I love having a flock of chickens. However, in order to have that harmonious flock, new must be added, and old need to be taken out.

Mrs K

 

[Mahan5175]

Farm animals... We love our chickens but we got them for the purpose of eggs and meat. The entertainment is an added bonus.

 

[TeaChick]

I am curious as to what and how people consider their chickens and why?


It appears to be several competing view here, there is not a correct answer in my view I am just curious.

I consider my chickens a commodity or farm animal. They are both a hobby and an investment, I expect a return on, in the form of food, either eggs or meat.

This does not mean I do not "love" my chickens, It simply means I look at them in a pragmatic way. I find them a good source of healthy food. I grew up on a farm and love animals. That does not stop me from eating them.

I will feed and care for them and protect them from harm in any manner I can.  I know this will make no sense to some.

BTW the best thing a chicken can do to insure its survival is act cute, friendly and get name.

I enjoy them like a pet, but I never forget they are no pets....


What about you? How do you consider your chickens.

I feel the same way you do.
I look at then as livestock, but I have an entire "mascot flock" (as my dh calls them) of Cochin bantams. Cute and friendly has saved the life of more than one chicken. Harassing my egg layers has miraculously changed several roosters into fried chicken dinners too.
I miss Snoodle and Beauty. The rooster who acquired the name Uppity the night before freezer camp night tasted good (along with his brothers).

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

They are both - just as our horses are both.

 

[3chickchicks]

A little bit of both but more livestock than pet for me, I guess. I got them so that I could have honest organic eggs from chickens that have access to bugs and grass and live a life closer to what is natural for them as compared to commercial birds.

If one is injured or sick, I will do what I can. I'm not going to take them to the vet though but it sucks when I lose one. I had one die from a congenital heart problem last year. This year, one of my dogs got a hold of one and killed her. She was sweet and quite vocal but with a soft voice, so the coop seems too quiet. Losing her hurt some since it was my fault.
Anyway... I make sure they're well cared for and have everything they need. They are a lot of fun and entertaining, but they aren't pets like my dogs are. Maybe it's because they aren't looking for my attention. They'll let me handle them but they aren't looking for affection from me. But it sucks a little bit more than just livestock when I lose one which is what keeps me from saying that they aren't pets.

 

[duluthralphie]

Thanks to those that have answered so far, Hopefully more will in the future.

I am finding it interesting. Remember there is no wrong answer...I feel like a 5th grade teacher now....

I like to think my chickens seek my approval and attention when they come running to me as I step out of the house, but alas, I know they just want treats....sigh

 

[calichicken]

100% pet

Hatched in my classroom and just couldn't part with them

They are bantams...so tiny eggs are a plus but not a priority and they will never be dinner

Good thing I am not really a meat eater....huh???

 

[Alaskan]

In my mindset, they are livestock...but......

The biggest reason I have them is mental health, MANY mental health points:
- I have something useful (produces eggs) that needs to be taken care of
- they remind me of my beloved grandmother
- I never have to feel bad about leftovers.. Since the chickens love them
- Weeding is useful times two since the chickens eat the weeds
- Forces me to be more active which also improves mood.

All the other reasons I have them are way distant second:
- We eat lots of eggs
- I donate eggs to fixed income people (which is actually another mental health benefit)
- Gives the kids lots of chores which I think is essential to producing good men
- The kids get exposed to and take an active part in the entire life cycle (breeding, egg laying, incubation, raising, killing, butchering, cooking then eating) which I think is essential to producing good men

But, because they are livestock first, I work hard to do minimal treatment for illness. I keep reminding myself that I want very sturdy stock, not stock that needs constant antibiotics and dewormers.

They are also pets, but they are pets that we sometimes eat.

 

[ShockValue]

I seem to share a common view with many folks answering this thread...

Pets that need to pull their weight? Or Livestock that I enjoy spending time with? Not sure exactly how to classify that.

I enjoy them for many reasons. Eggs, entertainment, therapy, education (I have 2 young kids that now understand "birds and bees" thanks to our accidental rooster). However, they also need to be productive. If egg production falls off or stops, they will either be given away (as pets, meat, whatever) or I will take them out back and "deal" with them myself. My latest goal is to add a cochin to our flock. Not a good layer, but a great mom. If she fails in that department she will be treated the same as a hen who doesn't lay eggs.


I spend enough money on vet bills with my dogs and cat. If I can't fix a chicken myself, I will put it out of it's misery.