In one of life’s strange turns, our own Laura Torres recently ended up with a pet chicken. Lucky you, Laura! Here is some info that might be useful with your new feathered friend.
Chickens are easily tamed, and learn best through positive reinforcements and food rewards. As long as they are handled gently and treated well, chickens can be great pets! Raising a chick will give you a pet that will follow you around and sit in your lap; taking on an already-grown chicken will be a little more of a challenge in socialization.
Do be sure to check your local zoning laws before taking on a chicken as a pet. And keep in mind that your chick will need some outside time every day for special chicken fun time: sunbathing, scratching in the dirt, and nibbling greens. And housebreaking a chicken is a very challenging task. If your chicken is going to be outside 24/7, make sure they have a safe place to sleep where predators can’t get to them. Even feral cats or stray dogs can be a danger to a backyard chicken! Make sure your chicken has a variety of perches to sit on. An indoor pet chicken can sleep quite comfortably in a dog or cat carrier. Chickens are creatures of habit and will usually choose the same spot to perch or snooze.
An adult chicken will forage for insects and greens during the day. Your local pet store or feed store will have layer’s pellets or layer’s mash and pre-mixed grain that you can offer to supplement their diet. Scatter the grain on the ground so your chicken has the pleasure of scratching for it! Hang up fresh veggies for your chick to peck at, and make sure fresh water is available at all times. Your chicken may also enjoy corn, wheat, or sunflower seeds as a treat. Keep in mind that a chicken allowed to roam freely in your garden won’t know the difference between something you’re trying to grow and a weed they are welcome to eat.
If you end up with a chicken for a pet, you’ll enjoy a long, happy life together. The average lifespan of a pet chicken is fifteen years!