The Rise of the Backyard Chicken in Companion Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

Over the past few years, the hobby of keeping backyard poultry has increased significantly in the United States. The chicken is no longer just a commercial production bird but is now also a companion bird and backyard pet. Chickens make wonderful, entertaining pets and can enrich the lives of their owners, in addition to providing food products such as eggs. Even though it has become increasingly popular to keep backyard chickens in the U.S., few studies have provided information about these flocks. A recent publication on backyard chickens in the U.S. included online survey results taken from backyard chicken owners. The survey asked about flock history, husbandry, health, owners’ attitudes, and demographics. The survey had 1,487 responses and included urban, suburban, and rural areas. Most respondents owned fewer than 10 chickens and had kept chickens for less than 5 years. Major reasons cited for keeping chickens were as food for home use, gardening companionship, pets, or a combination. The owners of these birds thought the eggs and meat from their chickens were more nutritious, safer to consume, and tasted better than the store-bought equivalent. The owners in this survey also thought the health and welfare of their chickens was better than on commercial farms. For veterinary clinicians who see avian patients, this means more chickens are being presented for health care. Veterinarians are also being asked to consult with their clients who have backyard poultry in regards to concerns beyond just health. These concerns can include legal and human health issues related to keeping backyard poultry.