Many people think of chickens as nothing more than farm animals. They’re not a traditional family pet like dogs or cats. However, as more and more people start to keep their own backyard flocks, families are beginning to see the benefits of keeping chickens—not just as livestock but as feathery friends. With their curious natures, entertaining personalities, and relatively low maintenance, chickens make great pets for families of all shapes and sizes. Learn more about why backyard chickens make great family pets with this guide.
The Free Farm-Fresh Eggs
Just because you treat your feathery friends as pets doesn’t mean they stop being livestock. Chickens produce an abundance of delicious, nutritious, farm-fresh eggs for you to collect. Stock your kitchen, and never settle for bland, less healthy grocery store eggs again. Depending on how big your flock is, you might have plenty of eggs leftover, so you can treat your friends and neighbors to your excess. Alternatively, learn how to set up a stall at your local farmers market and make some extra money.
The Lesson of Responsibility
Like any pet, chickens require a bit of care and maintenance. This creates a list of easy but important chores that are great for teaching kids about responsibility. You might have a hard time convincing your kids to do the dishes or fold their laundry, but tasks like feeding the chickens or collecting eggs are far more entertaining. One of the reasons why backyard chickens make great family pets is they can help teach kids about personal responsibility and the importance of caring for others.
The Lovable Personalities
Many families dream of owning loyal dogs or loving cats, but what about endearing and entertaining chickens? Backyard chickens are quirky and curious. You can spend hours watching them explore and play in their runs. Of course, your flock’s temperament will vary depending on which breed you choose to raise, but every chicken has its own bold personality. Even chicken owners who don’t plan on keeping them as pets find it hard to resist naming and growing attached to their flocks.
