Backyard and small flock chicken keeping is growing in popularity. Understanding the welfare needs of pet chickens ensures they receive appropriate care and enrichment.
Pet chickens are often treated as lower-maintenance animals than they actually require. Adequate housing, parasite management, health monitoring and behavioral opportunity are all welfare requirements. Red mite infestations cause severe distress and anemia requiring regular housing inspection and treatment. Chickens experiencing chronic poor welfare may not show obvious signs to inexperienced keepers.