The Rise of Pet Chickens in Chinese Cities

Apr 27, 2026, 03:26
ChinaSociety

Introduction

Recent trends in several major Chinese cities show a change in pet ownership. More people are now choosing to keep chickens as household companions instead of treating them as livestock for food.

Main Body

The shift from seeing poultry as food to seeing them as pets is clear on social media, where videos of pet chickens have reached over 3.1 billion views. In Guangdong province, this trend is growing even though the local culture traditionally emphasizes eating poultry. For example, a resident named Aguai raised black-boned silky fowl from eggs, showing that many people now value these birds for their appearance and companionship. Several economic and behavioral factors explain this phenomenon. Owners claim that the costs are very low, with some spending less than 30 yuan per month on food. Furthermore, owners emphasize that chickens are intelligent and can form emotional bonds with humans or respond to verbal commands. As a result, a new market has emerged for bird accessories, such as special clothing and transport carriers. People obtain these pets in various ways. Some birds come from farms, such as roosters that are not useful for egg production. Others are given away by supermarkets as rewards for buying dairy or egg products, or are sold cheaply in public parks for between 1 and 3 yuan. However, opinions on this trend are divided. While some owners view their birds as family members, other critics question whether it is appropriate to keep prey animals in an urban residential setting.

Conclusion

Urban residents in China are expanding their choice of pets beyond traditional mammals. They are increasingly integrating chickens into their homes due to the low cost of care and the emotional connections they form with the birds.

Vocabulary Learning

behavioral (adj.)
relating to behaviour or actions行為的
Example:Behavioral studies show that chickens can form bonds.
companions (n.)
people or animals kept for friendship or support伴侶
Example:People often treat pet chickens as companions.
phenomenon (n.)
an observable event or fact現象
Example:The trend of pet chickens is a fascinating phenomenon.
poultry (n.)
domesticated birds raised for eggs or meat家禽
Example:Many Chinese cities now have people keeping poultry as pets rather than for food.
prey (n.)
an animal hunted and eaten by another獵物
Example:Critics argue that keeping prey animals in urban homes is inappropriate.

Sentence Learning

The shift from seeing poultry as food to seeing them as pets is clear on social media, where videos of pet chickens have reached over 3.1 billion views.
Relative Clause: This clause adds information about the location where the videos were viewed.關係子句: 此子句提供了關於影片所在位置的額外資訊，說明在社交媒體上觀看的影片已累積超過31億觀看次數。
In Guangdong province, this trend is growing even though the local culture traditionally emphasizes eating poultry.
Contrast Conjunction: This conjunction introduces a contrast between the trend and the traditional culture.對比連接詞: 此連接詞引入了趨勢與傳統文化之間的對比，說明雖然當地文化傳統上重視食用禽類，但趨勢仍在增長。
As a result, a new market has emerged for bird accessories, such as special clothing and transport carriers.
Result Phrase: This phrase indicates that the new market is a consequence of the trend.結果短語: 此短語表明新市場的出現是趨勢的結果，暗示因為飼養雞隻的流行，產生了新的鳥類配件市場。
Some birds come from farms, such as roosters that are not useful for egg production.
Relative Clause: This clause gives additional information about the roosters.關係子句: 此子句提供了關於這些公雞的額外資訊，說明它們對產蛋沒有用途。
While some owners view their birds as family members, other critics question whether it is appropriate to keep prey animals in an urban residential setting.
Contrast Conjunction: This conjunction introduces a contrast between owners and critics.對比連接詞: 此連接詞引入了飼主與批評者之間的對比，說明雖然有些飼主把鳥視為家庭成員，但其他批評者質疑在城市住宅區飼養獵物動物是否合適。