Fun Things to Know About Keeping Chickens as Pets

Chickens are one of the most entertaining and rewarding pets you can keep. They’re curious, full of personality, and surprisingly affectionate once they get to know you. Best of all, they’ll reward your care with fresh eggs, endless amusement, and a unique way to connect with nature right in your own backyard.

Whether you’ve got a few hens clucking around the garden or you’re thinking of starting your first flock, here are some fun things to know about keeping chickens as pets.

They Each Have Their Own Personality

Just like cats and dogs, every chicken has its own personality. Some are bold and inquisitive, rushing up to greet you when you step into the yard, while others are a little shy and prefer to hang back. Spend time with your flock and you’ll soon learn who’s the bossy one, who’s the chatterbox, and who’s always first to find the treats!

Many chicken keepers are surprised by how affectionate their hens can be. With regular handling, chickens will happily sit on your lap for a pat or even follow you around the garden like a feathered friend.

Fresh Eggs and Great Gardeners

One of the biggest rewards of keeping chickens is, of course, the eggs. Nothing compares to collecting a warm, freshly laid egg in the morning. Backyard eggs are often richer in colour and flavour because your hens are eating a varied diet of grains, insects, and garden greens.

But chickens don’t just provide breakfast — they’re also excellent little gardeners. As they scratch and peck, they aerate soil, turn compost, and eat pests such as snails, grubs, and grasshoppers. Just be sure to keep them away from your veggie patch when you’ve just planted seedlings — they can be a bit too enthusiastic about digging!

Chickens Are Surprisingly Low Maintenance

Once you’ve set up their coop and routine, chickens are fairly easy to care for. They need:

• A safe, weatherproof coop with nesting boxes and perches.
• Daily fresh food and water.
• Clean bedding such as straw or wood shavings, replaced regularly.
• Protection from predators like foxes, dogs, and snakes.

Most backyard chicken owners keep between three and six hens, which provides plenty of eggs for the average family without taking up too much space.

Happy Hens = Healthy Hens

Keeping chickens happy in Australia’s warm climate means paying attention to shade, ventilation, and hydration. Make sure their coop has plenty of airflow and a shaded area for hot days. Always provide clean, cool water and top it up often in summer.

Dust baths are another chicken essential — they roll around in dry soil to clean their feathers and deter mites naturally. You can create a dedicated dust bath area by mixing sand, fine soil, and a little wood ash in a shallow container.

Feeding Time Is Always Fun

Chickens are natural foragers and love scratching around for bugs and greens. A quality layer pellet or grain mix should form the base of their diet, but you can also treat them to safe kitchen scraps like leafy greens, fruit (in moderation), and cooked rice or pasta.

Avoid feeding anything salty, mouldy, or fatty — and keep chocolate, avocado, and onion far away, as these can be harmful to your flock.

Did You Know Chickens Can Talk?

Well, not in words — but chickens have more than 30 different sounds to communicate! They cluck softly when content, squawk loudly to warn the flock of danger, and make a distinctive “egg song” after laying. Spend enough time with them and you’ll start to understand their language.

Where to Get Expert Advice

If you’re thinking about starting your own backyard flock, your local Just For Pets independent store can help. Their friendly pet experts can guide you on:

• Choosing the right feed and supplements
• Coop cleaning and pest control
• Health checks and parasite prevention
• Enrichment and housing tips

Whether you’re a first-time chicken keeper or an experienced backyard farmer, you’ll find everything you need to keep your hens happy, healthy, and laying all year round.

The Joy of Keeping Chickens

Chickens are far more than just egg producers — they’re funny, intelligent, and full of character. Watching them scratch around the yard, take dust baths, and chatter to each other is endlessly entertaining.

If you’ve ever thought about adding chickens to your household, there’s no better time to start. With the right setup, a bit of daily care, and guidance from your local Just For Pets team, you’ll soon discover how rewarding — and fun — keeping chickens as pets can be.