Backyard Chickens: A Compre-Hen-Sive Guide

Thinking of rearing one? Here’s some sound advice from the experts.

- Therese Tan

While many people are content with a pet dog or cat, others may seek less traditional animal friends. For those looking for more exotic pets, chickens can offer not only companionship but also benefits such as egg production, soil fertilisation, and educational opportunities to help forge the connection between farm and table.

Dr Ashley Navarrette, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says that chickens are quite intelligent and can even be trained. They are very food motivated and can even be taught to complete agility courses, though this requires a lot of time and patience.

Chickens are often well-suited to life in suburban or semi-suburban environments. They require about 0.1 – 0.2 sq m per chicken inside their coop, with an additional minimum of 0.7 sq m of outside access.

Potential owners should be aware that even if they have the space, their property may not always be the right place to keep chickens. They also should verify how many chickens their apartments/condominiums allows them to keep before adopting.

“Look into your local ordinances or regulations within your vicinity before considering acquiring a chicken or multiple chickens as a pet or backyard project,” said Navarrette. “Also understand that chickens can live up to eight years and, therefore, are a long-term commitment.”