We advise people not to keep chickens if you cannot commit to taking good care of your chickens for their whole life. The life expectancy of most breeds can range from 8 to 12 years. There are many reports of pet chickens living as long as 20 years just like dogs and cats! And just like dogs and cats, chickens do get sick and veterinary care is essential and often expensive.
Rachel and Matilda
In late December 2023, two beautiful hens came to United Poultry
Concerns sanctuary when their humans could no longer care for them
due to personal health issues and desire to go traveling. The two
hens looked well taken care of and in good health. They got along
well with rest of the UPC flock but kept mostly to themselves. We
often found them hanging out in the back, more wooded part of the
sanctuary yard, behind the chicken houses. Our long time sanctuary
staff named them Rachel and Matilda.
In just a few months, Rachel and Matilda have fully settled into
their new home and new family. They are healthy, vibrant, confident
and now a part of the flock.
This story has a happy ending, but also calls to mind the dilemma of
backyard chicken-keeping. As animal advocates, we want people to get
to know chickens as conscious and emotional individuals capable of a
range of interests and personalities. At the same time, as the
popularity of raising backyard flocks has grown, our shelters and
sanctuaries have been inundated with calls to take in unwanted
chickens, particularly roosters.
We advise people not to keep chickens if you cannot commit to taking
good care of your chickens for their whole life. The life expectancy
of most breeds can range from 8 to 12 years. There are many reports
of pet chickens living as long as 20 years just like dogs and cats!
And just like dogs and cats, chickens do get sick and veterinary
care is essential and often expensive. Moreover, taking good care of
these birds includes spending time with them…getting to know them
and enjoying each other’s company!
Rachel, Matilda and friends
Some problems associated with backyard flocks include: