Your first thought when it comes to welcoming a new furry (or feathered) friend to your family may not be a chicken…
Well, today we are going to show you how much love, fun and companionship these feathered friends can bring to your life.
Here are five reasons why you should adopt a hen (or chicken).
1. Hens are intelligent, affectionate and very loving
Chickens communicate in intricate ways and experience complex emotions. Despite this, when compared with other animals, many people believe them to be mindless.
“Chicken intelligence appears to have been underestimated and overshadowed by other avian groups” – Lori Marino, neuroscientist and animal behaviour expert.
Loving a good pat and cuddle many of our adopters have marvelled at how much affection they received from their feathered friends.
Chickens are delightful and charming companions. So much so, an aged care home in Brisbane introduced four therapy chickens to its facility with residents marvelling at how much they love to be pet and cuddled.
Chickens have their very own love languages, shown in a variety of ways; such as following you around your daily tasks, enthusiastic hellos with chatty catch-ups and even the odd climb on your shoulders.
2. Reduce, reuse, recycle – hens can help reduce your food waste
Did you know that each year Australia creates more than 7.6 million tonnes of food waste? Foodbank explains how this waste is enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Grounds, not once, not twice but an alarming nine times over.
But your chickens can help.
Your hens can eat a lot of what you eat, so before you go to throw out yesterday’s salad hand it over to your feathered friends.
Just be sure not to give them foods that are highly processed or high in fat and salt. For a full list of over 200 snacks they can and can’t eat check out The Happy Chicken Coop.
3. Been struggling with your garden upkeep? They have you covered.
From weedkillers to compost-turning pros, our feathered friends have got
your back when it comes to keeping up with your gardening.
In need of some natural pest control? Look no further and reduce the chemicals you use in your garden.
That is not all. Their litter is fantastic for your garden; high in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous.
4. Independent ladies – hens are low cost and low upkeep.
Adopting a pet is a big commitment, and financials are always something you need to consider seriously beforehand.
Chickens require very little upkeep and won’t break the bank in doing so. A warm coop, a backyard and lots of love can go a long way in transforming an animal’s life.
If you want a breakdown of the costs check out this blog post by Backyard Chicken Coops.
5. You’re saving a life.
Last but certainly not least, when you adopt an animal from ‘Til the Cows Come Home, you’re saving a life.
We give Aussie farmers an alternative to culling by offering to rescue and rehome animals they no longer need. We regularly rescue retired laying hens and give them the chance to live out their natural lives in a forever home through our adoption program.
Every time you adopt an animal, you’re making space for a new animal in need.
To find out more about a Rescue Hen Adoption Day near you get in touch by emailing info@tilthecowscomehome.org
