Australians have been hit hard by egg shortages recently, with a poultry farm in Victoria detected with avian influenza.
Meanwhile, newly published research has found an increased number of Australians keeping chickens in their backyards.
Are egg shortages fueling our love of the backyard chook?
On this episode of The Briefing, we spoke to Dr Emily Buddle from the University of Adelaide to discuss how Australians view our backyard chickens and what it says about us.
The study, published in Anthrozoös, reveals that many chicken owners view their birds as both pets and food sources, blending the roles of companion animals and livestock.
Dr Buddle explained that Australians enjoy keeping backyard chickens for several reasons, including the emotional bonds they form, the opportunity to educate children about food production, environmental sustainability, and the pursuit of self-sufficiency.
“[Chickens] were seen as pets and given individual names… but they didn’t quite fall into a pet category like a dog or a cat. At the same time, they were providing food. And so they were kind of seen as this livestock species,” she said.
Many Australians now choose free-range eggs, reflecting a broader interest in ethical food sourcing.
Backyard chickens offer the benefit of ensuring humane treatment while providing a steady food supply.
While many chickens provide emotional connection, owners are less likely to invest in veterinary care.
“Our research participants spoke about the fact that although they love their chooks and they were definitely seen as pets, they wouldn’t take them to the vet,” she added.
“It raises interesting questions that we love them as our pets, but not enough to take them to the vet as we would [for] a cat or a dog.”
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