Having a flock can be a handful, but did you know other animals can actually help lighten your load? Chickens are delicate creatures that require protection at all times, and that’s a lot for a chicken keeper to take on. Adding a new companion can not only keep your chickens safe, but provide your flock with new excitement that can prevent boredom. If you’re not sure what companion would be best for your chickens, keep reading! Here are 4 animals that make great companions for chickens.
1. Ducks
Ducks make great companions for chickens with little worry about conflict between the two species. They’ll require a pond to swim and need to be fed separately from your flock due to a difference in nutritional supplements. Aside from these differences, they can be pretty easy to add to your family! Since chickens and ducks carry different diseases that can be spread easily, we recommend keeping their housing separate. Ducks are lower maintenance than chickens, so for housing you can even consider something similar to a dog house.
They don’t mind the rain, and they even eat bugs that chickens do not which creates less competition between the two. Just be sure to have your pond somewhere the chickens can’t reach to avoid any drownings. It’s important to keep baby ducks away from chickens until they are older, as chickens will chase them. If you’re looking to spice up your coop, consider bringing ducks into the mix!
2. Dogs
When it comes to adding a dog to your coop, there are a few things to consider. First, make sure the dog’s breed is one that is compatible with chickens. Some dogs attack chickens, others co-exist perfectly fine with a flock. It’s all about how you warm them up to each other in the beginning stages, along with what breed you choose. Some breeds known to pair well with chickens are: Old English Sheepdogs, Maremma Sheepdogs, Akbash, Pyrenean Mastiff, Anatolian Shepherd, and Great Pyrenees. Though any breed may be a great addition to your flock if you raise them to love and protect your chickens rather than attack them, these are the most popular breeds to consider.
Dogs can offer a great deal of protection to your flock, along with company for your feathered friends. If you’re worried about the dog attacking your flock, you can limit the amount of exposure your dog gets with the chickens. Use your best judgement to introduce them to each other, because every dog and flock is different. Make sure you supervise them carefully to pick up on any signs of aggression from the very beginning stages. That will make it much easier to correct any bad behavior.
3. Rabbits
Rabbits can provide stimulation to your flock for hours on end! With their quick movements and intriguing hops, your flock will want to chase them all day long. If you’re raising a baby rabbit, known as a kitten, you’ll want to keep it separate from your flock at first. Rabbits are known to get along well with chickens once they’re old enough to defend themselves from getting pecked. If you’re looking to spice up your coop to keep your chickens busy, consider getting a rabbit!
4. Cats
Since cats are known to have a thing for birds, we could see why this one might surprise you. The truth is, cats can make a great addition to your little family! Having cats around the coop can give them the chance to catch any mice or rodents that could spread disease to your flock. Cats can also prevent any rodents from biting or harming your precious chickens. Although every cat is different, the majority of cats don’t bother chickens. Just be sure to keep any baby chicks away from a cat, as this could cause a lot of curiosity. It’s best to monitor your cat’s interaction with your flock for a while to make sure they’re getting along well.
Now that you have a better idea of what animals work well with chickens, it’s time to consider your living situation! Make sure you have the space, time, and resources to give your flock a new companion before making the commitment. Though they may be some extra work at first, adding one of these animals to your coop can provide you with a lot of relief later down the road. The more animals chickens have to entertain and protect them, the less you have to worry about.