Backyard chickens have surged in popularity as pets, even in bustling urban environments. These engaging and entertaining animals offer a unique charm, coupled with the delightful bonus of fresh, delicious eggs. However, while the allure of pet chickens is strong, responsible ownership requires understanding their specific needs. Chicken care is not as simple as it may seem, and neglecting their essential requirements can lead to various health issues. Before welcoming backyard chickens into your life, it’s crucial to be well-informed.
Exploring the World of Backyard Chicken Breeds
The world of chickens is surprisingly diverse, boasting over 400 distinct breeds. These breeds generally fall into two categories: standard chickens and bantams. Standard chickens are larger and more common, primarily raised for their egg-laying capabilities. Bantams, on the other hand, are miniature versions, typically weighing just 1-2 pounds, and are often favored for exhibition and ornamental purposes.
Chicken breeds exhibit a remarkable variety beyond size, including differences in feather color, pattern, and length. Adding to the intrigue, some breeds lay eggs in a spectrum of colors, extending beyond the typical brown and white to include pink, green, and blue hues.
Key Considerations Before Getting Backyard Chickens
Chickens possess an inquisitive and exploratory nature, making them endlessly entertaining to observe. They form bonds with their owners, recognizing them by sight and sound, and can become wonderful companions. Keeping chickens can also be a valuable learning experience for children, teaching them about the responsibilities of pet ownership, with all family members able to participate in their care.
Despite the numerous benefits of keeping chickens as pets, careful consideration of the following points is essential before deciding if backyard chickens are the right fit for you and your lifestyle.
Legalities of Chicken Ownership
Before bringing chickens home, it’s imperative to verify local regulations regarding pet chicken ownership. Laws vary significantly by region, state, and even town. Not all areas are zoned to permit chickens, and many jurisdictions require permits for keeping poultry. Some localities also impose restrictions on the number of chickens allowed and the specifications for chicken coops. Thoroughly researching and understanding your local ordinances is the first crucial step.
Long-Term Commitment to Chicken Care
While chickens are prolific egg layers for approximately two to three years, their lifespan can extend up to 15 years. Sadly, many backyard chickens are surrendered to animal shelters once their egg-laying productivity declines. If your primary motivation for keeping chickens is companionship rather than egg production, consider adopting from a local shelter before purchasing from a hatchery or farm supply store. This provides a home for a chicken in need and underscores the long-term commitment involved in chicken ownership.
Specific Housing Needs for Chickens
Chicken coops are available in a wide array of designs, some resembling charming miniature houses that enhance backyard aesthetics. However, chickens have very specific housing requirements that must be met for their well-being. Some commercially available “designer” coops may prioritize aesthetics over functionality and may not adequately address these needs.
The ideal chicken coop prioritizes both protection and functionality. It should offer robust shelter from the elements and predators while providing ample space for chickens to engage in natural behaviors like roosting, preening, and socializing.
The Importance of Sunlight for Chicken Health
Not all chicken coops are equipped with heating, yet chickens kept outdoors in cold climates require supplemental heat during freezing temperatures to prevent frostbite, particularly to their combs and wattles. Conversely, chickens housed indoors continuously, especially during winter, may lack sufficient exposure to natural sunlight. Sunlight provides ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are vital for chickens to synthesize vitamin D in their skin.
Vitamin D plays a critical role in calcium absorption, essential for the formation of strong eggshells. Insufficient UV light can lead to various egg-laying problems, including soft-shelled or shell-less eggs, and a life-threatening condition known as egg-binding, where eggs become trapped inside the hen. Egg-binding occurs because the uterine muscles weaken due to calcium deficiency, hindering their ability to expel eggs. For chickens housed indoors in climates with limited sunlight, incorporating UV light bulbs into the coop is crucial to prevent these complications and ensure healthy egg production.
Providing Nesting Boxes for Egg Laying
Chickens require designated nesting boxes to lay eggs comfortably and consistently. A general guideline is to provide one nest box for every four to five hens. Optimal placement for nest boxes is in a quieter, less trafficked area of the coop to minimize disturbances to laying hens. Elevating nest boxes 1-3 feet off the ground can deter predators and prevent coop floor debris from accumulating inside.
Nest boxes should be lined with comfortable bedding materials such as pine shavings or straw hay to cushion eggs and provide hen comfort. Regular cleaning of nest boxes and the entire coop is essential for hygiene and parasite control. Daily spot-cleaning and weekly thorough sweeping are recommended. Coop placement should also allow for annual removal and replacement of the topsoil layer in the surrounding area to minimize parasite egg accumulation in the soil, which can contribute to reinfection.
The Need for a Secure Outdoor Run
In addition to a coop, chickens benefit significantly from access to a secure, fenced outdoor run where they can roam, exercise, and engage in natural foraging behaviors when weather permits. Fencing must be robust and extend both above and below ground level to effectively deter predators from jumping over or digging under to gain access.
Environmental enrichment and mental stimulation are vital for preventing behavioral issues like feather-picking and bullying among chickens. Enrichment can be provided through various means, such as perches at different heights, tunnels made from cardboard boxes, compost piles for digging and scratching, and hanging vegetables like cabbage or lettuce for pecking. Chickens also enjoy toys like mirrors and rope swings, dust baths in sand-filled bins, and treats like mealworms.
Nutritional Requirements Beyond “Chicken Scratch”
While “chicken scratch,” a mix of grains like cracked corn, barley, oats, wheat, sunflower seeds, milo, and millet, can be offered as a treat, it is not a complete diet for chickens. Chickens require a nutritionally balanced pelleted feed formulated for their specific life stage (e.g., chick starter, grower, layer). In addition to pelleted feed, supplementing their diet with fresh vegetables and limited amounts of fruit is beneficial.
Fresh food and water should be provided daily. Laying hens require supplemental calcium, readily available as commercial oyster shell, to support eggshell production. Certain foods are toxic to chickens and must be avoided, including chocolate, avocado, alcohol, caffeinated products, uncooked beans and rice, and salty snacks like chips and pretzels. Small quantities of table scraps, such as bread, cooked eggs, and corn, can be offered occasionally in moderation.
Feed and water should be offered in elevated feeders and waterers to minimize contamination from insects and parasites. In cold climates, heated water bowls are necessary during winter to prevent freezing.
Veterinary Care for Pet Chickens
Regular veterinary care is essential for maintaining the health of pet chickens and ensuring the safety of their eggs for consumption. Annual veterinary check-ups are recommended for pet chickens. Chickens can carry parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans through contact with droppings or consumption of contaminated eggs.
While commercially raised chickens undergo regular health monitoring, pet chickens typically do not. It is crucial to consult with a veterinarian experienced in poultry care for preventative health measures and to address any health concerns promptly. Owners should also exercise caution when administering medications to pet chickens, ensuring that any treatments are safe for human consumption of eggs.
Protecting Chickens from Predators and Other Pets
Chickens are naturally prey animals and are easily stressed by the presence of predators. Protecting chickens from predators is paramount. Robust, high fencing and secure coops that are locked at night are essential deterrents.
Domesticated animals with predatory instincts, such as dogs and cats, even if friendly, can pose a threat to chickens. Their natural instinct to chase and catch prey can lead to injury or death of chickens, even without malicious intent. Therefore, it is crucial to keep all potential predators, both wild and domestic, away from chickens. Supervised and carefully managed introductions may be possible in some cases, but constant vigilance is necessary.
Salmonella Risk and Chicken Hygiene
All chickens have the potential to carry Salmonella bacteria in their gastrointestinal tracts and shed it in their droppings. While chickens themselves may not show symptoms, Salmonella can cause serious gastrointestinal illness in humans and other pets who come into contact with chicken droppings and accidentally ingest the bacteria.
Preventing Salmonella infection requires diligent hygiene practices. Thorough handwashing after any contact with chickens, their droppings, or potentially contaminated objects is crucial. Maintaining clean coop and run environments also minimizes the risk of bacterial spread.
Chickens can indeed be wonderful pets, bringing joy and fresh eggs to your backyard. However, responsible ownership hinges on understanding and diligently meeting their specific needs and taking necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of both your chickens and your family.
[WRITTEN BY]
Laurie Hess, DVM, DABVP
Veterinarian
Originally from New York City, Dr. Laurie Hess is one of approximately 150 board-certified avian (bird) specialists worldwide. After…
