What is the Best Pet During a Pandemic?

These are the Clairant chickens, excited for the human food scraps in which they are about to indulge. Hens are the absolute best choice for pets that give back emotionally, affectionately and with food every morning! They are excellent with kids and super cheap to keep! These are a great pet to buy during the Covid-19 crisis because they feed you, stay outside to live, and provide some extra joy in your life!
We had 5 hens until last week (will tell that story next time) and we usually get 3-5 eggs per day from 5 hens. We now have 4 hens and so that number has been reduced to 2-4 eggs per day. That more than feeds a family of four plus we have happy neighbors, friends and clients who frequently get free, fresh eggs from the Clairant hens.
You need a small coop where they will sleep and lay eggs safely. The coop should contain a roosting bar for them to sleep on and a couple laying boxes. They usually share the same one even if more are provided as you can see in the video where all three eggs were laid in the same box. They must be fully protected with a fence, top, bottom and sides to ensure protection from foxes, hawks and other predators. When you are around they can free range and will follow you around your yard like little puppies. 

I usually spend about $15 every 6 weeks or so for high protein quality food for the egg laying hens. They also love almost all table scraps as you can see in the video we gave them leftovers from dinner last night including sweet potato, green tops of strawberries, anise, cucumbers  and some raddicio (how do you spell that?)  They also love to forage for ticks, bugs, worms and greenery or any other edible source of protein they can find. That includes your garden plants and flowers so look out if they free range. 

The "girls" will put themselves to bed at sundown and find their way back to their living quarters no matter how large your yard is. But make sure to lock them up so predators can't get in. These are just a few fun reasons to have hens at home by keeping you occupied, kids happy, and your tummy full.  More about the Clairant hens to come!

Questions or comments?  Let us know in the comments below.