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“With a cluck cluck here and a cluck cluck there,” chickens have hen-pecked their way into mainstream society, from the cities to the countryside—and everywhere in between. At Ten West Bird & Animal Hospital, bird health is one of our specialties, and we’re pleased to provide quality veterinary services for domesticated poultry like pet chickens.

If you’re thinking of adding pet chickens to your property, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we offer the nitty gritty on the pros and cons of keeping pet chickens.

First: Understand Local Ordinances

Make sure you fully understand local ordinances before designing buildings and spaces for pet chickens. The city of San Antonio has specific restrictions regarding the number of chickens, the distance between chicken coops and other dwellings, and the number of roosters allowed. Visit https://311.sanantonio.gov/kb/docs/articles/animals/chicken-coops for more information. 

The Pros of Keeping Pet Chickens

1. They’re downright fun to watch. Chickens are inquisitive, friendly, and overflowing with personality, and all of these traits make them highly entertaining to have in the backdrop of your life. 
2. The eggs, obvi. Most people who keep backyard chickens do so for the fresh eggs. As sustainable living and organic foods continue to grow in popularity, so will the desire to raise backyard chickens.
3. They’re a source of natural fertilizer. All that poop, which is high in nitrogen, can be put to use in your garden beds. 
4. They eat bugs. Most chickens will devour any bugs they get their beaks on, making them great sources of natural pest control.
5. They provide multiple teachable moments. If there are children in your household, caring for pet chickens provides great lessons in responsibility while emphasizing the importance of sustainable food sources and eating organically raised foods.

The Cons of Raising Backyard Chickens

1. They’re high maintenance. Chickens poop—a lot. Nesting boxes, chicken coops, and the surrounding areas need to be cleaned almost daily.
2. 360-degree protection is required. Chickens are easy prey, and not just for the predators on the ground like coyotes or stray dogs (or pet dogs, for that matter). Hawks and eagles can pluck a chicken from a backyard in broad daylight. 
3. Insecticides and herbicides are no-nos. Owning chickens while tending a lush, weed-free lawn isn’t going to happen. Chickens are highly sensitive to pesticides and herbicides. 
4. They can spread diseases to humans. Keeping chickens requires diligent hand washing, as chickens can harbor zoonotic diseases like salmonella and E. coli. 

Keeping Your Chickens Healthy

If raising backyard chickens strikes your fancy, know that routine wellness exams are necessary for optimal bird health. Chickens need adequate nutrition—not just a bowl of kitchen scraps—plus proper preventive measures to ward off infectious diseases. Our team is happy to provide recommendations during your pet chickens’ bird health appointments. 

Please contact us if you have any questions about bird health or to schedule an appointment.