We tend to sit for clients with a variety of pets which we are familiar with and have owned in the past.Until we started pet sitting we had not looked after chickens. Our parents' generation are used to them in their gardens, but it was not commonplace in the towns when we were growing up.
We have really grown to love these birds and learn a lot about them. They are very easy to look after, just needing a secure shelter at night, to stop predators getting at them, food and water.
We have come across a number of different chicken houses, some just a small coop, which could be moved around to a different spot in the garden, to garden sheds and out buildings.
They are so curious, watching everything that is going on around them. They turn over the earth looking for grubs etc.
The best thing about them though is the fact that they will put themselves to bed just before it gets dark. They just have to be locked in to be secure.
The eggs have the most yellow of yolks making any cooking a gorgeous colour.
British Hen Welfare Trust
We feel the chicken is a very overlooked bird, and it is worth giving it a bit of attention the next time you come across one.
