Keeping backyard chickens has grown dramatically but many owners underestimate the welfare needs and veterinary costs involved in proper chicken care.
Backyard chicken keeping can provide excellent welfare when done properly, but many keepers underestimate the commitment involved. Inadequate predator protection leads to attacks. Lack of veterinary care allows treatable conditions like mites and respiratory infections to cause chronic suffering. Chickens need companions, appropriate housing with dry bedding and dust bathing areas, and protection from extremes of heat and cold. Adopting ex-commercial hens gives a second life to animals that would otherwise be slaughtered.