Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas says pet chooks are the family’s joy

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas is crowing about the joy of having pet chooks in the family – and he is sharing the love for a very special cause.

THE Malinauskas family says chickens make egg-cellent pets.

“Our children Sophie, Jack and Eliza love our chickens,” says Labor leader Peter Malinauskas of his family’s little flock.

“Father Christmas delivered them a few years ago as a present for the kids. I’ll never forget the look on the kids’ faces the first time they saw them.”

The family’s poultry pets – named Sarah and Poppy by Sophie – appear in The Advertiser Foundation’s special edition calendar, 2022 Power Pets.

Peter Malinauskas with Jack, 4, Sophie 6, Eliza, 18 months, and pet chooks Sarah and Poppy. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The calendar, which will raise money for Ronald McDonald House SA, also features Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, State Premier Steven Marshall and Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie.

Mr Malinauskas says his children take on the responsibility of looking after their chickens, feeding them food scraps.

“One of the other benefits is we’re still getting two eggs a day. The kids love collecting the eggs and it’s one less thing to worry about on the shopping list,” he says.

“We occasionally get a rare double yolker.

“When that happens we behave like we’ve won X-lotto. Chickens are also a great way to introduce children to the concept of having a pet.

“Perhaps one day down the track we’ll look at a dog, but for now we love Sarah and Poppy.”

Click here to go to the du Plessis website to register for this special private auction.