Latest news with #Petstock
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Chooks in the city: how an egg shortage drove the return of the backyard hen
When 41-year-old Alison Bransdon brought Betty, Honey Soy, Chloe, Cruella, Bluebell, Pepper, Olive and Chianti home to join her family, she was surprised to learn how distinct each of their personalities was. 'Betty is the boss, Honey Soy is very sweet and affectionate, Olive comes running up to us as she loves treats the most, Chloe loves to forage and eat bugs and grubs the most, and then Cruella, while the smallest, has the biggest attitude.' While these names wouldn't seem out of place among many celebrity broods, the 'personalities' to which Bransdon is referring are chickens – a variety of heritage breeds including Cream Legbar, New Hampshire and Araucana. They live with Alison, her husband Shaun, two children, Madeleine, 11, and Harvey, 9, and two dogs, in the backyard of their Oyster Bay home. 'We got our first chickens 18 months ago as day-old chicks, and the kids loved helping to hand-raise them,' Bransdon says. 'It's surprisingly addictive. We added more chickens to our flock in January this year.' The Bransdons aren't alone, with Petstock's Pet Parents' 2024 Report revealing an increasing number of Australian households welcoming chickens into their backyards. 'We've seen a rise in Australians adopting, buying and raising chickens across regional communities,' says Emma Collett, Petstock's national live manager. 'But it's not just regional. More metro families are exploring the idea, too.' The 2022 Animal Medicines Australia Pet Ownership Report found that about 11 per cent of Australian households keep birds, including chickens, with chicken ownership growing by 25 per cent since the pandemic. COVID-19 and the avian influenza outbreaks, which have caused a chain of disruption with many egg-laying birds being culled, have been some of the main driving forces, says Dr Emily Buddle, senior research fellow at the University of Adelaide. Loading
The Age
27-06-2025
- General
- The Age
Chooks in the city: how an egg shortage drove the return of the backyard hen
When 41-year-old Alison Bransdon brought Betty, Honey Soy, Chloe, Cruella, Bluebell, Pepper, Olive and Chianti home to join her family, she was surprised to learn how distinct each of their personalities was. 'Betty is the boss, Honey Soy is very sweet and affectionate, Olive comes running up to us as she loves treats the most, Chloe loves to forage and eat bugs and grubs the most, and then Cruella, while the smallest, has the biggest attitude.' While these names wouldn't seem out of place among many celebrity broods, the 'personalities' to which Bransdon is referring are chickens – a variety of heritage breeds including Cream Legbar, New Hampshire and Araucana. They live with Alison, her husband Shaun, two children, Madeleine, 11, and Harvey, 9, and two dogs, in the backyard of their Oyster Bay home. 'We got our first chickens 18 months ago as day-old chicks, and the kids loved helping to hand-raise them,' Bransdon says. 'It's surprisingly addictive. We added more chickens to our flock in January this year.' The Bransdons aren't alone, with Petstock's Pet Parents' 2024 Report revealing an increasing number of Australian households welcoming chickens into their backyards. 'We've seen a rise in Australians adopting, buying and raising chickens across regional communities,' says Emma Collett, Petstock's national live manager. 'But it's not just regional. More metro families are exploring the idea, too.' The 2022 Animal Medicines Australia Pet Ownership Report found that about 11 per cent of Australian households keep birds, including chickens, with chicken ownership growing by 25 per cent since the pandemic. COVID-19 and the avian influenza outbreaks, which have caused a chain of disruption with many egg-laying birds being culled, have been some of the main driving forces, says Dr Emily Buddle, senior research fellow at the University of Adelaide. Loading
The Advertiser
27-06-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Companionship and free eggs: Unusual pets are chicken the right boxes
Feline lovers say no home is complete without a cat, but Sabina Lewis can't imagine hers without the company of chickens. Sabina, 53, and her son Aidan currently have 11 chickens, all of them with their own distinct characteristics. "Chickens are independent, but they do definitely all have their different personalities," she said. "We've got a couple of little pekin bantams, they're really friendly, they're really little, and they've got feathers all on their feet." Read more from The Senior They also have a number of Wyandottes, which are very colourful and pleasant to look at, and several cochins, a larger breed of chicken that can be a little more standoffish. Unfortunately, Sabina, who lives in the Yarra Valley, recently lost her favourite chick, Petunia, who passed away. But she still gets lots of love from her other chooks, including Opal, a very affectionate 6-year-old. "Opal will come up, you pick her up, you cuddle her and... we've had her since she was, oh, three months old or something." Not only do the chickens offer companionship, Sabina said chooks are also inexpensive to buy and keep, and happily gobble down household food scraps, preventing waste. Petstock national live manager, Emma Collett said there are many benefits of keeping chickens as pets, from their friendly demeanor to their egg-laying potential. "Certain chicken breeds can lay approximately 250 to 300 eggs per year, which works out to about four to six eggs per week," she said. "Chickens also bring a surprising amount of personality, making for great pets." Petstock says chicken coops are essential for raising chickens as pets, but chickens should also have access to a run to allow them to roam. Runs should be enclosed with chicken wire to protect animals from predators like cats and foxes. Dirt for the chickens to bathe and roll in is also beneficial to their wellbeing. They also require a balanced diet containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Chickens require the company of other chickens and should not be kept as single pets. Toys like chicken swings and musical toys may also enhance their wellbeing. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Feline lovers say no home is complete without a cat, but Sabina Lewis can't imagine hers without the company of chickens. Sabina, 53, and her son Aidan currently have 11 chickens, all of them with their own distinct characteristics. "Chickens are independent, but they do definitely all have their different personalities," she said. "We've got a couple of little pekin bantams, they're really friendly, they're really little, and they've got feathers all on their feet." Read more from The Senior They also have a number of Wyandottes, which are very colourful and pleasant to look at, and several cochins, a larger breed of chicken that can be a little more standoffish. Unfortunately, Sabina, who lives in the Yarra Valley, recently lost her favourite chick, Petunia, who passed away. But she still gets lots of love from her other chooks, including Opal, a very affectionate 6-year-old. "Opal will come up, you pick her up, you cuddle her and... we've had her since she was, oh, three months old or something." Not only do the chickens offer companionship, Sabina said chooks are also inexpensive to buy and keep, and happily gobble down household food scraps, preventing waste. Petstock national live manager, Emma Collett said there are many benefits of keeping chickens as pets, from their friendly demeanor to their egg-laying potential. "Certain chicken breeds can lay approximately 250 to 300 eggs per year, which works out to about four to six eggs per week," she said. "Chickens also bring a surprising amount of personality, making for great pets." Petstock says chicken coops are essential for raising chickens as pets, but chickens should also have access to a run to allow them to roam. Runs should be enclosed with chicken wire to protect animals from predators like cats and foxes. Dirt for the chickens to bathe and roll in is also beneficial to their wellbeing. They also require a balanced diet containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Chickens require the company of other chickens and should not be kept as single pets. Toys like chicken swings and musical toys may also enhance their wellbeing. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Feline lovers say no home is complete without a cat, but Sabina Lewis can't imagine hers without the company of chickens. Sabina, 53, and her son Aidan currently have 11 chickens, all of them with their own distinct characteristics. "Chickens are independent, but they do definitely all have their different personalities," she said. "We've got a couple of little pekin bantams, they're really friendly, they're really little, and they've got feathers all on their feet." Read more from The Senior They also have a number of Wyandottes, which are very colourful and pleasant to look at, and several cochins, a larger breed of chicken that can be a little more standoffish. Unfortunately, Sabina, who lives in the Yarra Valley, recently lost her favourite chick, Petunia, who passed away. But she still gets lots of love from her other chooks, including Opal, a very affectionate 6-year-old. "Opal will come up, you pick her up, you cuddle her and... we've had her since she was, oh, three months old or something." Not only do the chickens offer companionship, Sabina said chooks are also inexpensive to buy and keep, and happily gobble down household food scraps, preventing waste. Petstock national live manager, Emma Collett said there are many benefits of keeping chickens as pets, from their friendly demeanor to their egg-laying potential. "Certain chicken breeds can lay approximately 250 to 300 eggs per year, which works out to about four to six eggs per week," she said. "Chickens also bring a surprising amount of personality, making for great pets." Petstock says chicken coops are essential for raising chickens as pets, but chickens should also have access to a run to allow them to roam. Runs should be enclosed with chicken wire to protect animals from predators like cats and foxes. Dirt for the chickens to bathe and roll in is also beneficial to their wellbeing. They also require a balanced diet containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Chickens require the company of other chickens and should not be kept as single pets. Toys like chicken swings and musical toys may also enhance their wellbeing. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Feline lovers say no home is complete without a cat, but Sabina Lewis can't imagine hers without the company of chickens. Sabina, 53, and her son Aidan currently have 11 chickens, all of them with their own distinct characteristics. "Chickens are independent, but they do definitely all have their different personalities," she said. "We've got a couple of little pekin bantams, they're really friendly, they're really little, and they've got feathers all on their feet." Read more from The Senior They also have a number of Wyandottes, which are very colourful and pleasant to look at, and several cochins, a larger breed of chicken that can be a little more standoffish. Unfortunately, Sabina, who lives in the Yarra Valley, recently lost her favourite chick, Petunia, who passed away. But she still gets lots of love from her other chooks, including Opal, a very affectionate 6-year-old. "Opal will come up, you pick her up, you cuddle her and... we've had her since she was, oh, three months old or something." Not only do the chickens offer companionship, Sabina said chooks are also inexpensive to buy and keep, and happily gobble down household food scraps, preventing waste. Petstock national live manager, Emma Collett said there are many benefits of keeping chickens as pets, from their friendly demeanor to their egg-laying potential. "Certain chicken breeds can lay approximately 250 to 300 eggs per year, which works out to about four to six eggs per week," she said. "Chickens also bring a surprising amount of personality, making for great pets." Petstock says chicken coops are essential for raising chickens as pets, but chickens should also have access to a run to allow them to roam. Runs should be enclosed with chicken wire to protect animals from predators like cats and foxes. Dirt for the chickens to bathe and roll in is also beneficial to their wellbeing. They also require a balanced diet containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Chickens require the company of other chickens and should not be kept as single pets. Toys like chicken swings and musical toys may also enhance their wellbeing. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Age
26-06-2025
- General
- The Age
‘They're like therapy animals': How backyard chooks made a comeback
When 41-year-old Alison Bransdon brought Betty, Honey Soy, Chloe, Cruella, Bluebell, Pepper, Olive and Chianti home to join her family, she was surprised to learn how distinct each of their personalities was. 'Betty is the boss, Honey Soy is very sweet and affectionate, Olive comes running up to us as she loves treats the most, Chloe loves to forage and eat bugs and grubs the most, and then Cruella, while the smallest, has the biggest attitude.' While these names wouldn't seem out of place among many celebrity broods, the 'personalities' to which Bransdon is referring are chickens – a variety of heritage breeds including Cream Legbar, New Hampshire and Araucana. They live with Alison, her husband Shaun, two children, Madeleine, 11, and Harvey, 9, and two dogs, in the backyard of their Oyster Bay home. 'We got our first chickens 18 months ago as day-old chicks, and the kids loved helping to hand-raise them,' Bransdon says. 'It's surprisingly addictive. We added more chickens to our flock in January this year.' The Bransdons aren't alone, with Petstock's Pet Parents' 2024 Report revealing an increasing number of Australian households welcoming chickens into their backyards. 'We've seen a rise in Australians adopting, buying and raising chickens across regional communities,' says Emma Collett, Petstock's national live manager. 'But it's not just regional. More metro families are exploring the idea, too.' The 2022 Animal Medicines Australia Pet Ownership Report found that about 11 per cent of Australian households keep birds, including chickens, with chicken ownership growing by 25 per cent since the pandemic. COVID-19 and the avian influenza outbreaks, which have caused a chain of disruption with many egg-laying birds being culled, have been some of the main driving forces, says Dr Emily Buddle, senior research fellow at the University of Adelaide. Loading
Sydney Morning Herald
26-06-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘They're like therapy animals': How backyard chooks made a comeback
When 41-year-old Alison Bransdon brought Betty, Honey Soy, Chloe, Cruella, Bluebell, Pepper, Olive and Chianti home to join her family, she was surprised to learn how distinct each of their personalities was. 'Betty is the boss, Honey Soy is very sweet and affectionate, Olive comes running up to us as she loves treats the most, Chloe loves to forage and eat bugs and grubs the most, and then Cruella, while the smallest, has the biggest attitude.' While these names wouldn't seem out of place among many celebrity broods, the 'personalities' to which Bransdon is referring are chickens – a variety of heritage breeds including Cream Legbar, New Hampshire and Araucana. They live with Alison, her husband Shaun, two children, Madeleine, 11, and Harvey, 9, and two dogs, in the backyard of their Oyster Bay home. 'We got our first chickens 18 months ago as day-old chicks, and the kids loved helping to hand-raise them,' Bransdon says. 'It's surprisingly addictive. We added more chickens to our flock in January this year.' The Bransdons aren't alone, with Petstock's Pet Parents' 2024 Report revealing an increasing number of Australian households welcoming chickens into their backyards. 'We've seen a rise in Australians adopting, buying and raising chickens across regional communities,' says Emma Collett, Petstock's national live manager. 'But it's not just regional. More metro families are exploring the idea, too.' The 2022 Animal Medicines Australia Pet Ownership Report found that about 11 per cent of Australian households keep birds, including chickens, with chicken ownership growing by 25 per cent since the pandemic. COVID-19 and the avian influenza outbreaks, which have caused a chain of disruption with many egg-laying birds being culled, have been some of the main driving forces, says Dr Emily Buddle, senior research fellow at the University of Adelaide. Loading
