Chickens are an amazing pet to have. The right breeds are just as nurturing and loving as any dog or cat, and they provide you with a supply of fresh eggs to boot!
Some chicken keepers only want their flock numbers small - some may even envision having a party of one, as do some dog owners or cat owners. However, our backyard flocks love their chicken chatter, so having at least two feathered friends forever in your backyard coop is advisable.
Chickens are highly sociable creatures that thrive on the company of their own kind. They’ll have little conversations with one another, alert each other to danger or any risks they may come across - they can even affect each others physiological behaviour! For example, if one hen starts laying an egg, this may stimulate egg laying behaviour in the other hens - similarly, if one chicken begins to display broody behaviour, the others may decide they’d like to become mothers as well! You can read more about the complex social hierarchy of chickens here.
Therefore it’s recommended that if you want to keep chickens as family pets, that you have at least two, rather than having one lone chicken. They really do enjoy the company of their own kind, and need that social interaction in order to keep their spirits up (but they will enjoy your company just as much!)
How many chickens is the right amount for your lifestyle depends on a number of different factors - how much space you have, what you want to keep chickens for (family pets, egg production) and how often they can be let out to free range. If your feathers are getting ruffled and you're not sure how many is right, check out our How Many Chickens Should I Buy article for more information.
Our Taj Mahal chicken coop is perfect for two feathered pals to share, and doesn’t take up any excess room in the backyard. It’s available now - along with our Penthouse and Mansion, if you think you may want to extend the number of chickens in your flock in the future (you’ll become addicted to chicken keeping - we guarantee it!)
If you decide to have a small flock or introduce new chickens to the group, be alert for any changes to their habits. Some behaviours are cute quirks for a breed and others may be a cause for concern! From eating their own eggs to bullying, bad habits can be frustrating for keepers and potentially harmful for the flock. Like all pets, chickens can be trained to stop bad behaviours and reinforce positive ones.
Cluckily, our friends over at Chickenpedia have created an amazing Chicken Etiquette Course. This extensive online course shares useful advice on a variety of chicken behaviours. The well-structured course will also help you deal with bad behaviour and encourage positive behaviours. Keep the neighbours happy - their only complaint will be that they wish they also had chickens!
Learn how to have the best-behaved chickens in town with this beginner-friendly course. This is why I highly recommend Chickenpedia’s courses to all of my readers! They are filled with vital information that help you raise a happy, healthy flock.
Click here to check out Chickenpedia today!
