Do you consider your Chickens Pets or Livestock

[LizzzyJo]

I would say both. Hens are pets, but Roos are livestock. Also I would move mountains to get my dog any medical treatment she needed from anywhere in the world, but my hens are treated at home.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Yep. Pets with benefits... My girls are so spoiled they stink. And I’m not a bit ashamed of that!

In terms of medical care, I have to treat at home as there are no vets within a hundred mile radius that would treat a chicken.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Egg production? If you figure all the time, effort for housing and protection from predators, and add in feed and bedding, eggs are worth about $10 each. But they are good.
It is relaxing to be around them and even talk to them. I had one that would come out when I called her. They have their own personalities. I could not eat one unless absolutely necessary. When they go, it's from old age.

I guess that makes them pets.

$10 each!? What the heck are you feeding them!? Gold?

 

[ladybrasa]

Yes definitely need a “both” option. Mine are/will be both. Or maybe closer to Pets-With-Benefits. I expect eggs to eat out of them, but I’m not going to get rid of the old ‘spent’ hens. I’ve got a few hens 5+ years old and one has to be at least 8 or more and they are still pooping out eggs a minimum of every other day. I remember there being 10+ year old chickens my grandfather had (they were older than me I was told at the time) spitting out enough eggs for family needs. And they didn’t eat much - he just threw down a scoop of cracked corn in the trough in the morning and they free ranged all day. AND never mucked in the garden!!

Anyway, I’ve got a million various age chicks this summer that I expect eggs out of. But I also want to have them as pets. But they won’t be as much ‘pet’ as my cats are. And the plan is to cull most of the roosters I’m going to end up with ... trying very hard not to get attached raising from chicks and not knowing gender in many but also want to interact to tame them some ... absolutely respect and applaud people who raise their own meat. I know I’m going to be a sissy to kill an animal, but two co-workers said they can do the deed. Pretty sure I will be able to process afterwards. I’m fine with the blood and guts part, just hope my brain doesn’t be like “Oh! That was this individual!” (Keep in mind I’m the person that will put a bug or spider outside rather than squash it. Not fleas, flies, or ticks though. Those die. Also squash bugs.)

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yes definitely need a “both” option. Mine are/will be both. Or maybe closer to Pets-With-Benefits. I expect eggs to eat out of them, but I’m not going to get rid of the old ‘spent’ hens. I’ve got a few hens 5+ years old and one has to be at least 8 or more and they are still pooping out eggs a minimum of every other day. I remember there being 10+ year old chickens my grandfather had (they were older than me I was told at the time) spitting out enough eggs for family needs. And they didn’t eat much - he just threw down a scoop of cracked corn in the trough in the morning and they free ranged all day. AND never mucked in the garden!!

Anyway, I’ve got a million various age chicks this summer that I expect eggs out of. But I also want to have them as pets. But they won’t be as much ‘pet’ as my cats are. And the plan is to cull most of the roosters I’m going to end up with ... trying very hard not to get attached raising from chicks and not knowing gender in many but also want to interact to tame them some ... absolutely respect and applaud people who raise their own meat. I know I’m going to be a sissy to kill an animal, but two co-workers said they can do the deed. Pretty sure I will be able to process afterwards. I’m fine with the blood and guts part, just hope my brain doesn’t be like “Oh! That was this individual!” (Keep in mind I’m the person that will put a bug or spider outside rather than squash it. Not fleas, flies, or ticks though. Those die. Also squash bugs.)

When processing, its easy to click it off (at least for me) when the bird isn't reacting. You know that it's not that individual anymore

Also definitely needs a both button

 

[MysteryChicken]

I consider my chickens both pets, & livestock.

 

[ladybrasa]

When processing, its easy to click it off (at least for me) when the bird isn't reacting. You know that it's not that individual anymore

Yeah ... I’d be in a much better mental place if I could ‘click off’ things. Kudos to those that can! My plan is to have one of the girls do the deed - killing cone and snip the head off with the branch trimmer things. Then hopefully I will be able to skin it. We rarely ever roast a chicken and I’m on a diet anyway, so tasty skin is out. Plus sounds so much easier! After the skin and feathers are gone, it’ll just be like every other store chicken. Cut off all the edible bits. Not super interested in gizzard or heart. Maybe, we’ll see. Also I wouldn’t have to worry about fasting them before hand so much. And I hope to do it on my property, so less stress on the birds. That’s the plan anyway, but the best laid plans of mice and men ...

 

[Compost King]

I do not keep pets in the freezer. They are livestock to me.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I expect nothing from my chickens except some good episodes of 'Chicken TV.'

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I expect nothing from my chickens accept some good episodes of 'Chicken TV.'

I use mine for "chicken therapy" too.