America's Favorite Pet?

Chickens may be able to enjoy a reputation for being America's newest and coolest pet for many years to come. I'm talking cooler than pythons, sugar gliders, ferrets, bearded dragons, and certainly cooler than any dog or cat breed you could own. My daughter had told her friends all about her pet frog, tortoise, dog, cat, and chickens before they came over for a sleepover but when they entered our front door the first question out of their mouths was; "where are the chickens"? They spent a good hour chasing them around the yard, holding them, talking about how much the chicken loved them, and giggling as the chickens pecked food out of their hands. I'll admit these were kids from the city that had never been around chickens before but that is where the "pet chicken" movement is happening and if you walked into a pet store with children I guarantee the baby chicks would grab their attention away from the hamsters and guinea pigs. However if you purchased a hamster, the pet store would have the cage, waterer, feeder, bedding, treats, and toys you would need for new pet at a fairly affordable price. What about chickens? Would you know what to buy? Would the pet store have what you need? I would guess that most pet stores would not have everything you need and if they did the cost would probably be much greater than hamster supplies. Until pet stores catch on to that people in the city want to raise chickens more than likely you would have to go online to find everything you would need to raise your new pet from chicks to chickens. But do you really know what you need to raise chickens and could you really afford to buy everything it takes to keep chickens in your backyard. Sure there is some return on investment since the hens provide eggs for your enjoyment but that probably won't outweigh the costs involved. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to talk you out of raising chickens, in fact I'm actually trying to help you find the way. I am happy for those who have the means to buy expensive chicken coops but I refuse to except that America's favorite farm animal turned America's favorite pet should be geared toward the affluent few. I'm making it my goal this year to find and develop an affordable kit that has everything a person needs to raise a few chickens in their backyard so everyone has the opportunity to own America's newest and coolest pet. Even if you have the means to buy the expensive coop I hope to bring light to the subject of raising chickens so that there is no mystery in regards to what it takes and what you'll need. Meanwhile feel free to email your questions to productlab@randallburkey.com.