November 3, 2017 - Chickens: The New Family Dog?

Friday, November 3, 2017 - Chickens are the new family dog, says backyard chicken expert and blogger, Kathy Shea Mormino. According to her new book, “The Chicken Chick’s Guide to Backyard Chickens: Simple Steps for Healthy, Happy Hens,” raising chickens is one of the fastest-growing hobbies in the United States.

More than 1% of all U.S. households now raise chickens; the USDA estimates that by 2019 urban chicken flocks will increase by 400%.

Mormino answers questions daily on her popular Facebook page for her more than 743,000 followers. You can view her blog at: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com.

Here are some of her tidbits of information.

People are connected to these animals just like any domestic pet. But they don’t have the resources to take care of them when they get sick.
Chickens are great companions. They help with soil. They eat their fair share of insects. It’s all those things, plus they make food for you.
Most of us got our first chicken because we wanted fresh eggs. What is unexpected is that these animals will become family pets.
Chickens don’t like change. … The pecking order is a real thing. They are not welcoming of new members.
Some dogs are going to be fine without training. Some dogs will do fine with a great deal of training. Some dogs will never be fine with chickens. You can’t train the prey drive out of a dog.
Most vets have no training or experience with chickens. Chickens have different challenges from indoor birds. Their nutritional needs are much more sensitive.
These animals will hold a place in your heart the same way your dog does.
If you keep it simple and stick to the basic tenets of raising them — good diet, clean water and a clean, dry living space — your birds will be as healthy as can be.