From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken Care
Non-commercial chickens may be the third most numerous pets in Western countries. Yet, to date, there is limited research into their welfare or the care-taking practices and attitudes of their guardians. Using a quantitative questionnaire, this study investigated non-commercial chicken owners’ care-...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/2/288 |
| _version_ | 1797344751767257088 |
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| author | Jenny L. Mace Andrew Knight |
| author_facet | Jenny L. Mace Andrew Knight |
| author_sort | Jenny L. Mace |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Non-commercial chickens may be the third most numerous pets in Western countries. Yet, to date, there is limited research into their welfare or the care-taking practices and attitudes of their guardians. Using a quantitative questionnaire, this study investigated non-commercial chicken owners’ care-taking practices, attitudes, and relationship types with their chickens. Additionally, the study investigated barriers to optimizing non-commercial chicken welfare. Specific questions were asked regarding niche care-taking practices, including the use of Suprelorin<sup>®</sup> implants. With 2000+ responses, this study found variable care-taking practices, yet largely positive attitudes towards chickens, and a “personal” (though not “close personal”) owner–chicken relationship, as defined by the Owner–Bird Relationship Scale. The Chicken Attitude Scale, Owner–Bird Relationship Scale, and Care Series scores were found to be correlated with each other, with coefficients ranging from 0.176 to 0.543 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). “Preventing commercial chickens from going to slaughter” was a key motive for chicken care by 56.1% of respondents, with 69.6% of respondents stating they cared for ex-commercial chickens. This study found a higher prevalence of reported poor health conditions and number of deaths relative to prior studies, and egg yolk peritonitis emerged as a leading health condition and cause of death. Moreover, 68.0% had not heard of Suprelorin<sup>®</sup> implants, and only 6.3% used implants. Most (76.4%) chicken carers followed an omnivorous diet that includes chicken meat/eggs. The results reinforced previous findings concerning a need for more avian-specialist, locally available, and affordable veterinary care for chickens. Research into Suprelorin<sup>®</sup> implants, rooster-specific care, and tailored requirements of caring for ex-commercial chickens is recommended. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:07:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-69a51742282f4c479f2068e5598d0f0d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:07:17Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-69a51742282f4c479f2068e5598d0f0d2024-01-26T14:32:54ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-01-0114228810.3390/ani14020288From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken CareJenny L. Mace0Andrew Knight1Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester SO22 4NR, UKFaculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester SO22 4NR, UKNon-commercial chickens may be the third most numerous pets in Western countries. Yet, to date, there is limited research into their welfare or the care-taking practices and attitudes of their guardians. Using a quantitative questionnaire, this study investigated non-commercial chicken owners’ care-taking practices, attitudes, and relationship types with their chickens. Additionally, the study investigated barriers to optimizing non-commercial chicken welfare. Specific questions were asked regarding niche care-taking practices, including the use of Suprelorin<sup>®</sup> implants. With 2000+ responses, this study found variable care-taking practices, yet largely positive attitudes towards chickens, and a “personal” (though not “close personal”) owner–chicken relationship, as defined by the Owner–Bird Relationship Scale. The Chicken Attitude Scale, Owner–Bird Relationship Scale, and Care Series scores were found to be correlated with each other, with coefficients ranging from 0.176 to 0.543 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). “Preventing commercial chickens from going to slaughter” was a key motive for chicken care by 56.1% of respondents, with 69.6% of respondents stating they cared for ex-commercial chickens. This study found a higher prevalence of reported poor health conditions and number of deaths relative to prior studies, and egg yolk peritonitis emerged as a leading health condition and cause of death. Moreover, 68.0% had not heard of Suprelorin<sup>®</sup> implants, and only 6.3% used implants. Most (76.4%) chicken carers followed an omnivorous diet that includes chicken meat/eggs. The results reinforced previous findings concerning a need for more avian-specialist, locally available, and affordable veterinary care for chickens. Research into Suprelorin<sup>®</sup> implants, rooster-specific care, and tailored requirements of caring for ex-commercial chickens is recommended.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/2/288backyard chickensex-commercial chicken carepet chickensSuprelorin<sup>®</sup> implantchicken welfare |
| spellingShingle | Jenny L. Mace Andrew Knight From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken Care Animals backyard chickens ex-commercial chicken care pet chickens Suprelorin<sup>®</sup> implant chicken welfare |
| title | From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken Care |
| title_full | From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken Care |
| title_fullStr | From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken Care |
| title_full_unstemmed | From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken Care |
| title_short | From the Backyard to Our Beds: The Spectrum of Care, Attitudes, Relationship Types, and Welfare in Non-Commercial Chicken Care |
| title_sort | from the backyard to our beds the spectrum of care attitudes relationship types and welfare in non commercial chicken care |
| topic | backyard chickens ex-commercial chicken care pet chickens Suprelorin<sup>®</sup> implant chicken welfare |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/2/288 |
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