Backyard and small-scale chicken keeping has welfare implications that require understanding of chicken behavioral and social needs.
Backyard chickens whose owners keep them as pets or for eggs deserve the same welfare consideration as any companion animal, but knowledge gaps among new keepers frequently lead to welfare problems. Single chickens kept alone suffer from social deprivation that should be recognized as unacceptable as single-housed rabbits. Inadequate predator protection exposes chickens to traumatic deaths and injuries. Veterinary care for sick chickens often requires specialist knowledge that is not widely available in small animal practices. Positive welfare for chickens requires appropriate flock size for social expression, protected ranging opportunities, appropriate nesting and roosting facilities, and access to veterinary care that matches chicken-specific needs.