Good Morning Cindy,
These chickens are considered pets because chickens are a social creature,and very interactive with humans. The three chickens I have adopted into my family are interacted with every day, played with and taken care such as a dog or cat is and they are all named as well (Babs,Mac, & Ginger). Chickens also come in homes with the families in a lot of cases as well. They are checked for mites and ticks daily, they were vaccinated, there are tended to if they are sick or injured, where as in most production facilities birds with any issues are immediately removed from there flock and destroyed. They have a healthy well built in closure to live and play in with proper shelter from the elements, and plenty of water for hydration and food as well.
The intention of livestock chickens are to breed young, produce eggs and create income. They are not socialized with, their living environment is usually less then healthy and the quantity of the chickens for livestock is much greater for production of eggs and off spring. I also do not have a rooster, nor do I intend on getting one, they are for production purposes only, and not need in the setting of family birds. The three birds I have are also more towards the class of birds show/fancy birds which are also not a production bird because of their classification and are not high yield bird. The three birds I will have will lay eggs at some point, but not enough to sell or profit from, or give away, personal use only.
These are good animals for a family setting for there social abilities and personalities. My wife has a 4 year old brother that comes to visit and play with the chickens, and she is also pregnant with our first, and I believe raising your children with these animals is also a good lesson in respecting our environment and showing them how these animals prefer to be treated.
Any other questions you may have regarding them or the ordinances, you my also call ********* at the Department of Agriculture at 207-2**-****, and she would be more then happy to talk with you about this as well.
Thanks Again and have a good day.
So did I do good????