A Chicken/Chickens for a Personal/Family Pet

Considerations before Purchasing Poultry

Chicken as a Pet

A Chicken/Flock of Chickens as pets can be fun and rewarding experience, however there are some very practical, and often over-looked considerations that must be thought through to avoid potential complications.

1. Municipal/Local Laws

Housing and Bylaws

Chicken as a Pet

Chickens can be smelly and noisy and a pest when they escape:

1. Check local bylaws – got to city hall/municipal offices for advice and perhaps even consent
2. Most municipalities prohibit roosters – noise regulations – especially calling out at sunrise in suburbia – disturbing neighbourhood sleep
3. There may be limits on the number of chickens that can be housed on a piece of designated land
4. Municipal/local rules will usually determine the land space and housing space required per chicken
5. If renting, you will require your landlord’s permission for keeping a chicken/chickens/poultry
6. Space for Chicken/Chickens

Chickens are Outdoors Pets

Chicken as a Pet

Chickens do not like being kept indoors:

1. You will require an appropriately sized coop for your chicken/chickens
2. A chicken run, secure from any escape and safe from predators, attached to the chicken coop

There will also be municipal building rules and codes for any chicken coop construction.

3. Safety and Supervision

Child/Children and Chicken Pets

Chicken as a Pet

Chicken are generally gentle birds:

• Chicken can and will peck if taunted/scared/startled/roughly handled
• Chickens will defend their food source by pecking
• A child/children must be supervised and trained how to handle a chicken

Immediately after handling a chicken(s), it is mandatory that you wash your hands thoroughly, for hygiene purposes, and possible disease transmission

4. Chickens are Sociable

Chicken as a Pet

Chickens are flock animals by nature and cluck loudly after laying an egg:

1. It is best to have a minimum of 2-3 chickens for sociability
2. Single/a-lone-chicken as a pet may become lonely and so stressed that it affects their health and personality

Another chicken produces another egg for eating.

5. Chicken Predator Protection

In Suburbia

Chicken as a Pet

As we all know, Chicken predators live amongst us:

1. Raccoons, foxes, weasels, rats will attack eat/destroy eggs, chicks and full-size chickens
2. Coops must be fully secure against unwanted entry
3. Regularly inspect coop for attempted entry by digging, gnawing on wood, pulling at individual pieces of siding

Raptors and other flying predators must be kept out:

1. Strategically place trees and planted wooden/metal poles will prohibit swooping predatory birds
2. A complete cover of wood, metal or mesh prohibits any predatory landing opportunities

Proper security of chicken coops and chicken runs is mandatory.

6. Chicken Care and Cleaning Duties

Chicken as a Pet

1. Daily Chicken duties:

• Feeding correct quality and proportion of food
• Providing clean fresh water
• Cleaning run of chicken poo – keeps smell down – keeps neighbours happy
• Collecting eggs

2. Weekly Chicken duties:

• Thoroughly clean the Chicken coop
• Wash the Chicken coop inside, with appropriate soap and water, if necessary
• Examine the Chicken coop for attempted predator entry

If a predator becomes a problem, report the problem to the correct municipal authorities immediately.

7. Pet Chicken(s) Financial Costs

Chicken as a Pet

Your pet Chicken/Chickens are a constant expense:

1. Initial Chicken Costs:

• Land for coop and run
• Secure coop construction – this may also include a municipal inspection for code alliance
• Securing the chicken run with poles, fencing, trees or a complete mesh cover
• Water containers, feeders and laying boxes

Constant outgoing Chicken costs:

• Feed for laying hens
• Grit for chickens
• Bedding for coop
• Potential veterinarian bills

You may incur costs if, used/dirty chicken coop bedding, requires disposal-of at a specific dump site.

8. Weather Considerations

Affecting your Pet Chicken/Chickens

Chicken as a Pet

Chickens require comfortable secure conditions:

1. Rain and damp condition’s create chicken body issues
2. Rain and damp conditions require proper ventilation creating a dry coop
3. Cold weather will require an insulated and/or heated chicken coop for healthy chickens
4. Heat waves require proper ventilation/air movement in the coop
5. During a heat wave there must be plenty of shade and water in the chicken run

You must daily check your chicken/chickens for anything unusual/questioning.

9. Observe Your Chicken/Chickens

Health and Vitality Daily

Chicken as a Pet

Chicken get injured and do become ill:

1. As a chicken/chickens owner you must learn to recognize various chicken illness symptoms
2. As soon as a chicken is found/assumed ill – place the ill chicken away for other chickens – in an isolated location designated for ill chickens

You must already have created a relationship with a veterinarian who handles chickens and their health.

10. Chicken/Chickens Pets

Can and Do work Well in Suburbia

Chicken as a Pet

A pet chicken or a flock of chickens works/functions well if:

1. You have sufficient secure yard/chicken run
2. You are regularly home and have sufficient personal time for your poultry care
3. You are an outdoor/animal enjoying personality
4. You do not mid mucking-up
5. You enjoy the challenge of a flock
6. You enjoy routinely working with the chickens

You really enjoy collecting the eggs from your efforts.

Individual Chickens may Become

Affectionate with a Recognizable Personality

Your Emergency Photos/Video on

PeTrackers.com

Made it Easier to Find

And Quicker to Reunite

Your lost Pet Chicken

Lost Flock of Chickens

To You Safely