Pet tips and ideas: Could a chook be the pet you never knew you needed?

A cat is great and a dog is too, but those with little space would do well to consider the humble chicken.

Living in a pristine koala conservation estate located in Pottsville in northern NSW, Emma Venables, her husband Daniel and kids Autumn, six, and Archie, two, were limited as to the type of pets they could have given the traditional options of cats or dogs were off limits.

But the young family, especially the kids, were desperate for an animal or two to care for. What type of animal however? They really weren’t sure. Then, in an unexpected turn of events the decision was made for them when, thanks to the lockdown, they found themselves with some very friendly, feathered friends.

Autumn and Archie Venables getting up close and personal with ‘the girls’. Picture: Supplied.

“Autumn’s primary school has a Henny Penny program where the kindergarten class has an incubation egg box so the kids get to observe the process of chicks hatching,” explains Emma. “This was happening around lockdown, so the school emailed the parents to see who could look after them.”

So the fabulous chicken trio Stormy, Summer and Snowy joined the family. And while chickens had not been on the list of pets the family absolutely had to have, it turns out they’re a perfect fit for this busy family.

“They are pretty self-sufficient, their bedding can be used as mulch, and their manure is great fertiliser for the grass and veggie patch,” says Emma.

“It teaches the children responsibility and gets them involved, from feeding the chickens in the morning to helping clean out their coop. Our chickens are free to roam in the backyard all day and we can still go away on holidays as our friends don’t mind popping over to feed them.”

The Venables family joins an estimated 420,000 Australians who own chickens and consider them pets. According to the national survey Pets in Australia, the numbers don’t compare to the number of dogs we own (slightly more than five million) or cats (roughly 3.8 million), but chooks are definitely having a moment.

Nothing cuter than a newly-hatched chick. Picture: istock

And it’s easy to see why. They’re inexpensive, sweet-natured, entertaining and, as Emma explained, the perfect addition to a sustainable household.

Owning chooks is not all roses and fresh eggs, however.

“They like to scratch around in the dirt so if you’re very precious about your garden they’re probably not the best pet for you,” says Emma.

“And, they do poop a lot. We try to keep them on the grass and garden bed as much as possible but sometimes they enjoy coming on to the deck and sitting on our outdoor settings. I don’t mind as long as they don’t poop on it, which they do.”

Remember; if you have a rooster your flock will grow. And grow. And grow. Picture: istock.

On the whole, however, the pros far outweigh the cons and Emma is adamant the ‘girls’ are more than worth the hassle for the joy they bring to the family each day.

“Chickens are great company,” she says.

“I love walking outside in the morning and hanging out the washing while they chat to me and I’m never by myself while I’m gardening.”

From fresh eggs with buttery yellow yokes to nutrient-rich compost for your garden and a return to a simpler way of life, plus all the benefits of a more traditional pet such as a cat or a dog, chickens do make wonderful pets.

Chicken know how

Just as looking after any animal, there are a few factors to consider to ensure your chickens will be raised ethically and with love, says Dr Liz Arnott, veterinarian at RSPCA NSW. If you’re thinking about getting chickens, you’ll need to check your local council regulations first, says Liz. “Most residential areas do not allow roosters, and there’s a limit to a maximum of 10. As your chickens will be confined to your property, make sure you only consider them as pets if you have a backyard.”

Chickens love hugs. Be gentle though. Picture: istock

There are different breeds of chickens, so research the type that’ll be best suited to you and your family – many breeds also have a ‘bantam’ or smaller variety that can be great for first-time chicken owners. Chickens are social birds, and as such you’ll need to keep more than one says Liz. “They’re friendly and inquisitive pets that can learn to come when called and to do tricks quite quickly using reward-based training, enjoy being stroked and spending time with you. Though as they live for between five to 10 years, make sure that you’re prepared for a long-term commitment.”

“When you’ve done your research and are ready for your new pets, consider adopting chickens from a RSPCA shelter, or find a reputable breeder that vaccinates their birds and provides you with an immunisation history.”

The eggcellent reasons

From having quirky and loveable personalities to being relatively inexpensive to look after, chickens make great pets. What’s more, hens will provide you with fresh and delicious eggs, saving you money at your local grocery store (make an omelette with spinach and mushrooms, use a few to make a vanilla cake or gift a carton of eggs to your neighbour).

hen and rooster eating watermelon on the grass

“Healthy hens will lay eggs regularly (most breeds will lay an egg each day) for the first two to three years of their life, usually up until about five to seven years,” says Liz. If you like gardening, chickens will also supply your soil with high-quality manure that will help your plants to flourish. “They also love to eat pests in the veggie patch or flower bed,” adds Liz.

Chickens also help you do your bit for the environment by cutting down your greenhouse gas emissions, as instead of taking your food scraps to the tip, you can instead feed it to the chickens.

Emma Venables loves her chatty chooks saying they’re great company. Picture: Supplied.

Looking after chickens

Chickens need a continual supply of pellets, shell grit and water. And as mentioned, they also like to eat food scraps such as leafy green vegetables, fruit, herbs, yoghurt and grains such as wheat, corn and oatmeal. Though be sure to avoid foods such as uncooked rice, rhubarb, avocado, onion, garlic, citrus fruit and lawnmower clippings, says Liz.

Chickens also need a safe space where they’ll be protected from the weather and predators such as foxes, cats and dogs, which is called a coop. “When purchasing or building, ensure the coop and run have a floor and ceiling with mesh that is no more than 10mm in diameter. The chickens will also need a safe space to roost (perch at night) and to nest when laying – ideally an area where they can turn around, rearrange their bedding and lay their eggs. When it comes to the outside run, the bigger, the better. Make sure the coop itself is big enough to allow at least four to five square feet of roaming space per chicken to ensure they’re comfortable. And, you’ll need to clean the chicken coop at least once a week,” adds Liz.

You might like to consider installing an automatic gate such as a ChickenGuard to make your life even easier.

The device opens the coop door in the morning and shuts it in at night, and with a choice of timer or light sensor you can program it to open and close at select times, or choose to let it rise and fall with light. This means your flock is safe from night-time predators and you can sleep in. Sweet.