Maya Reports

This article, in the WSJ no less…definitely trumps my former post about interesting pet-owner Only in NY…

Apparently there’s a whole world of chicken-enthusiasts!  Who knew?  I certainly didn’t.

There are no firm statistics on the number of pet-chicken owners in the U.S. BackYardChickens.com’s growing membership is one indicator it’s more than a flash in the pan. The information and networking site says it has more than 60,000 members today, up from 35,000 a year ago and 12,000 in June 2008.

Pet chickens??  Really?

I guess, with the current economic climate, some people are opting to grow their own food…eggs-producers included.  This though, is not the Farmer Joe I had in mind.  Of course if you’re going to have a pet chicken, you need to accessorize them.

Beyond birds, the company also sells accessories such as $25 chicken diapers and $8 saddles, which are protective aprons for the hen, to keep her feathers from getting pulled out by a frisky rooster. They sell coops, heat lamps and decor for chicken lovers, such as a $10 black hen tape dispenser.

And if you have questions there’s

…Coop D’État LLC, a pet-chicken consulting and retail company…

Dogs can’t be the only pet with a ridiculous guru (aka Dog Whisperer), no…chickens can have them too!

Andy G. Schneider of Alpharetta, Ga., who calls himself the Chicken Whisperer, hosts a daily hour-long Internet radio show on raising backyard chickens that attracts around 15,000 listeners nationwide a month, according to BlogTalkRadio. He sells Chicken Whisperer gear off his website, including T-shirts, watches, mugs, mouse pads and bumper stickers.

So, has this convinced you to join the chicken-enthusiasts? Personally, I’m going to stick with dogs.

Filed under: Business, Random, BackYardChickens.com, BlogTalkRadio, chicken enthusiasts, Chicken Whisperer, Coop D'Etat LLC, pet chickens, WSJ