Written by Elliott Coombes \/\/ Photo by Macy Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Searcy Neighborhood Pet Shoppe recently added backyard chickens to their stock. Customers can buy baby chicks to keep as pets and chicken coops to house them. The chickens are provided from a local breeder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employee John Sherwood and his wife initiated the decision to get the chickens for the store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe saw some really cute chicken coops that were available and thought, well, if we\u2019re going to have chicken coops, we could provide a couple of chickens,\u201d Sherwood said. \u201cWe don\u2019t sell many, just a few a week, for pets.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the chickens are meant to be pets, Sherwood tries to get fancier breeds. This includes Polish chickens, who have an impressive feather hairdo, and the current stock of Welbar chickens. Welbars are admired for the dark brown color of their eggs. Sherwood said he is actively searching for an additional breed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe next one I\u2019m looking for is called an Easter Egger, or an Araucana,\u201d Sherwood said. \u201cThey have a green-colored egg, so when I sell out of these, I\u2019ll probably get one of those.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cathy Wood, another Pet Shoppe employee, said she loves everything about chickens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy grandkids love them; they make them smile,\u201d Wood said. \u201cAnd they keep all the bugs out of your yard.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employee Tanya Salace owns several backyard chickens and has come up with lots of ways to play with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI paint the nails of my chickens,\u201d Salace said. \u201cYou have to be careful of the color because they\u2019ll peck at red \u2026 I dress them up, and they have coats and clothes and hats. So yes, they are my babies. When I walk outside, they come running.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salace said she also uses parrot toys like treat balls and rope bridges to entertain her pets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll put their little herbs through their xylophone, and they\u2019ll peck them,\u201d Salace said. \u201cAnd they make music, so I think it\u2019s more for me than them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sherwood said chickens are another way for people to get outdoors and in their gardens more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think we wanted everybody to have the opportunity to enjoy chickens in their backyard,\u201d Sherwood said. \u201cThey\u2019re very popular. It\u2019s more than just a backyard supply for eggs, they\u2019re now pets that people love and talk to and enjoy just like a rabbit.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sherwood said anyone wanting to own chickens cannot get just one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey always have to have a friend,\u201d Sherwood said. \u201cIt\u2019s the minimum that you should get two, but it would be even better if you could get four. And be ready to have fun, because they are great pets.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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