Hiking with a chicken? What supplies do you need? Please help!

[Coffetym]

My wife, our youngest daughter & myself hike some fairly tough trails in the Smoky Mountains on a regular basis & I do know that pets are usually not allowed on National Park trails. I know that you have checked this out, but, the reason for this is understandable. Bears & most of your predatory wildlife will attack small vulnerable animals/pets before they will normally approach a human alone. This can cause the human to be endangered also. When I hike, I am always prepared to defend myself & my family. We have a 15lb Yorkie that is just like family but I would never intentionally take him in harms way although I would defend him also. I choose to not take him where it is unnecessary & dangerous even though he would love trying to keep up with us it would pose a risk of danger & I know he would never be able to complete 10-12 mountain trail miles.

I’m sure you wouldn’t be taking a chicken on anything very strenuous, but even if you are in a rural area, there are many predatory animals both wild & domestic & taking a chicken out in front of some of these animals would be like teasing me with a piece of cheesecake!

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

She always explores including in the winter usually follows me around when I take my daily walks. That's why I would like to hike with her (Soldier the Golden comet hen)

Golden Comets are very adventurous and can often get into trouble because of this. If you take your chicken for a walk, I strongly suggest you do it well away from your home and not around your neighborhood. If your hen is free ranged, she will take herself on these same walks, with or without you if you're taking her straight from her known territory.

My wife, our youngest daughter & myself hike some fairly tough trails in the Smoky Mountains on a regular basis & I do know that pets are usually not allowed on National Park trails. I know that you have checked this out, but, the reason for this is understandable. Bears & most of your predatory wildlife will attack small vulnerable animals/pets before they will normally approach a human alone. This can cause the human to be endangered also. When I hike, I am always prepared to defend myself & my family. We have a 15lb Yorkie that is just like family but I would never intentionally take him in harms way although I would defend him also. I choose to not take him where it is unnecessary & dangerous even though he would love trying to keep up with us it would pose a risk of danger & I know he would never be able to complete 10-12 mountain trail miles.

I’m sure you wouldn’t be taking a chicken on anything very strenuous, but even if you are in a rural area, there are many predatory animals both wild & domestic & taking a chicken out in front of some of these animals would be like teasing me with a piece of cheesecake!

2x this. Predators are everywhere. When taking my chickens away from my home, my number one concern is dogs. If it's a public walking trail where any pet can be, then the chances of crossing paths with dogs are highly likely. A good dog owner should be able to hold their dog back, but not all can or will. I have often seen the "no leash law" people having their dogs walk themselves while dragging their leash. Then there's others who allow little kids walk their dogs. Any of these cases could end up with your chicken getting attacked, or you should you try protecting your chicken. (This can be a huge liability for the other pet owners, and, if a dog accidentally bites you while trying to get to the chicken, it may have to be put down.)

When taking a chicken to public places, something to look out for is trash. Trash is everywhere, even if you don't see it. People drop cigarettes and other small pieces of trash that your chicken will see long before you do. Depending on what the trash is, it may not hurt your chicken, or it could kill them.

Another issue with taking your chicken away from the home is you expose them to diseases. Bird flu is one of those diseases, especially if you're going to a public park where there is waterfowl.