This Just In: Egg-cellent Fowl Fashions

08/30/2010

 

An Entirely Different Kind of Dressing For Your Chicken

If the ever-increasing cacophony of cock-a-doodle-dooing around my neighborhood is any indication, the practice of keeping pet chickens is definitely a growing trend. There are no less than three fowl-enthusiast families within a 500 yard radius of my home that have (somewhat time-challenged) Foghorn Leghorns crowing at all hours of the day. 

Motivated by both the recession and the local-food movement, more urban and suburban dwellers are keeping chickens and as a result,all kinds of new businesses are flocking to the aid of these pet-chicken enthusiasts. Super pimped out chicken coops,(my fave is the "Eglu" by Omlet) hatchling starter kits and interactive toys are just a few of the accessories now available for your feathered friend – but fowl fashions? Seriously? 

Pimping Your Poultry 

It started with the simple idea to make diapers for her perpetually pooping pet chickens, but since hatching that idea eight years ago, Ruth Halderman has turned her idea into a full-fledged business with ChickenDiapers.com. Thanks to Ruth’s mess-reducing diapers, your pet chicken can go from farmyard to family room without making messes everywhere…and give them the status of “pets.” 

Pet-chicken enthusiasts attest to the funny and somewhat engaging personalities that chickens have - and that many chickens like to be held and petted. Chickens? Cuddly? Who knew!?

Another fowl fan, Linda Celez, makes holiday themed costumes for her pet hen Suzie and pet rooster Philip (pictured). Now I am not sure how these little cluckers feel about strutting around in their fashionable finery – but you gotta admit they are darn cute! 

Learn more about what’s involved in keeping pet chickens at BackYardChickens.com. If you keep pet chickens and have any fun stories to share, please share them in the comments below!

 

source: WSJonline. photo credit: Lindsay Rae Goodrich

Comments

[Lisa Brodygaga]

I have had pet chickens ever since I was a toddler on the farm in Illinois. I still keep a small flock, and am not the least bit surprised to hear of "cuddly" chickens. That is not unusual, particularly for those raised as nature intended, rather than having been hatched in a box. I now have a young rooster, recently separated from his mother, who immediately comes to me when I return in the evening, and likes nothing more than to be held, with his head under my arm.

[ddeichler]

NOW I've seen everything!

[Cathy]

I don't know about chickens, but I've had various types of small parrots as pets. I currently have a Sun Conure, and I've never found it necessary for diapers. For one thing, they are not hygenic for the bird, the poop can get smushed in the feathers if you forget to change it every 15 to 20 minutes. Second, they never really liked to wear them. And third, I found it much easier and less aggravating, for them and me, to simply train them to poop in a certain area, like their play gym or cage. Provided they always had access to those places, they didn't have any accidents on the furniture or carpet, they were kind of like cats going to a litter box. I would suggest potty training before wearing the diapers, although they are cute!

[Free Backlinks]

I thought I had seen everything but now I realize I hadn't. Those outfits are definitely for the birds!