“The key is to look after the animals’ interests – it’s the same whether you keep blue whales, honeybees or chickens.” Bernd Schildger, former zoo director in Berne tions, injuries or illnesses affecting their ability to lay eggs, worms, fleas, mites and other parasites. In a nutshell: think it through before buying chickens. They must be registered with the relevant cantonal offices so immediate remedial measures can be taken in the event of diseases such as bird flu or Newcastle disease. Chickens may have to stay cooped up to prevent the spread of disease. says Furrer. However, in most cases people make do with the eggs. Especially those who name their feathered friends and like to hold them affectionately; after all, chickens can be cute. Think, for example, of the Pekin Bantam. Yes to animal welfare, no to animal diseases However, chickens shouldn’t be held to the chest or carried around. “They tend not to like that,” says Sarah Camenisch, stressing that chickens are more for watching than for petting. There are also other things people should know about when keeping chickens, so the FSVO in conjunction with the STS launched a nationwide campaign in spring 2023 with two objectives: to uphold animal welfare and to prevent the spread of animal diseases. The first thing to consider You also need a closed aviary as protection against foxes and martens, and as an alternative to the coop, so the animals don’t have to be kept locked up in the coop if there is an outbreak of disease such as bird flu. This infrastructure does not come cheap, as Samuel Furrer from STS points out. Three chickens – depending on the owner’s DIY skills – can cost 1,500 to 4,000 Swiss francs, with annual feeding costs of about 400 francs on top of that. Chickens are not to be fed kitchen leftovers, but should be given pellets or corn middlings. As with any pet, chickens also need to visit the vet occasionally. According to the Swiss Veterinary Society, there are veterinary clinics that specialise in treating domestic animals like birds or rabbits. Chickens are to them what dogs and cats are to a standard veterinary practice. The vet can treat respiratory infecThe government is taking an interest in domestic chickens: people who keep chickens at home must register them with the veterinary authorities as a protective measure against the spread of disease. Photo: Keystone The chicken is not a cuddly creature. But they are comfortable around people. Photo: Keystone is whether you have enough space. Ideally, three chickens should have 50 square metres of green area for scratching, pecking and dustbathing. They are also social animals and must not be kept in isolation. So, you need at least two or ideally three. The lockable coop should be at least two square metres for three chickens. Swiss Review / January 2024 / No.1 10 Report
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