Domestic fowl as pets: what you need to know advice
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.
Domestic fowl as pets 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.
Domestic fowl as pets – ideal breeds
- Red Star – very friendly personalities and lay a lot of eggs.
- Barred Plymouth Rock – hardy and friendly. Good egg layer.
- Buff Orpington – also know as the lap dogs of the chicken world.
- Speckled Sussex – very curious.
- Australorp – Know as the egg laying machine.
- Golden-Laced Polish – know as Top Hats and some breads have beards. They have sweet but somewhat nervous personalities.
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.
Our World Wide Birds website, has information about all birds in the world.
Featured image: Courtesy Wesley Fong Chong
Content creator: Petrus A. van Tonder
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