Keeping domestic fowl as pets became very popular in the 2000s by urban and suburban residents. Many people get chickens for their eggs but often name them and treat them like any other pet like cats or dogs. They provide companionship and have individual personalities. Chickens do not cuddle much, but they will eat from your hand, jump onto your lap, respond to and follow you, as well as show affection.

Chickens are social, inquisitive, intelligent, and you will find their behavior entertaining. Like Silkies and many bantam varieties, certain breeds are generally docile and are often recommended as good pets around children with disabilities. Many people feed chickens in part with kitchen food scraps.

An adult male fowl is called a rooster or cock, and a younger male may be called a cockerel. A castrated male is a capon. An adult female bird is called a hen and a younger female is called a pullet.

Chickens are among the most common and widespread domestic animals, with a total population of 23.7 billion as of 2018, up from more than 19 billion in 2011. There are more chickens in the world than any other bird.

The average chicken may live for 5–10 years, depending on the breed. The world’s oldest known chicken lived 16 years according to Guinness World Records.

Featured image: Courtesy Wesley Fong Chong

Source: Wikipedia

Content creator: Petrus A. van Tonder