Why Chickens Are Becoming the Next Trendy Pet in China: A Deep Dive into the ‘Pet Chicken’ Phenomenon

Translation result. Herald Economy reporter Jeong Mok-hee — In China, chickens are no longer seen only as ingredients. Increasingly, people are keeping them as companion animals, and that practice is emerging as a new urban trend.

The South China Morning Post reported on April 30 that in some major Chinese cities owners dress chickens in clothes and shoes, put hats on them and wheel them out in strollers. On social media, content about “pet chickens” has drawn more than 3.1 billion views, underscoring how the trend is spreading.

In Guangdong province, where chicken is consumed so widely there’s a local joke—“a live chicken can’t make it out of here”—the number of people keeping chickens as pets has been rising rapidly.

For example, a Guangdong resident named Aguai has been raising three rare white-feathered, black-boned Silkies that hatched by chance for about 10 months. He says the birds are docile, small and easy to care for, and that feed costs run under 30 yuan a month (about 6,400 KRW; 4.8 USD), making them economical.

He added that the birds shed little and emit almost no odor, so they’re suitable for apartment living. A veterinarian told him that keeping a small number of pet chickens carries a low disease risk. While commercial farms face threats like avian flu, many people consider a few household birds relatively safe.

Owners also say the animals display more intelligence and social responsiveness than expected. A social media user in Jiangsu keeps a rooster nicknamed “Slanted Bangs” because of its unusual comb and says the bird seems to understand human speech and expresses emotion through its eyes and behavior.

Some owners sleep beside their chickens, fashion custom diapers and harnesses for them, and take them along in cars or strollers when they go out.

The trend is changing how people view farm animals. Many say that raising pet chickens has altered their perspective on livestock. “After forming a deep bond with my chickens, they no longer feel like food — they feel like family,” one owner said.

The market is shifting as well. China National Radio estimates roughly 17 million people keep exotic pets such as reptiles, insects and poultry, and it values the related industry at about 10 billion yuan (around 2.16 trillion KRW; 1.62 billion USD).

Pet chickens appeal because they are inexpensive and low-maintenance. One owner said they cost less and are easier to manage than cats or dogs, and that the birds’ quiet, regular routines have simplified life.

As chickens take their place in homes, analysts say the boundaries of the traditional pet market are gradually expanding.