MANY STUDENTS at Granger High School have pets. Many have cats, dogs, hamsters, fish, and even birds. There are few students who choose chickens. 

Before thinking of going out and buying chickens, there are some requirements to consider. One of the requirements is how many chickens a household can have. Another requirement is if a permit is required. In West Valley City, where Granger High School is, there are no restrictions on how many chickens a household can have, and no permit is required.

There are many reasons why people get chickens over other pets. The main reason people get chickens is the eggs they produce. Chickens lay eggs year-round. This could save hundreds of dollars a year.

The average cost for a baby chick is $5, depending on the breed. Average cost of a chicken coop is $600, depending on the size and build quality. There is more to a coop than just price. 

When considering a chicken coop, there are many things that will need to be thought of beforehand, such as the quality of the coop. Some of the essentials when choosing a chicken coop include the need to be waterproof, secured, and well ventilated. If the chicken coop is not secured enough then the chickens will be at risk of danger. 

Chickens have many predators. Some of the predators that endanger chickens the most are pet dogs, foxes, hawks, raccoons, and rats. However, there are many ways to protect a chicken from predators.

One way to protect them is getting them a strong and safe chicken coop. Another way to protect them is to put them in their chicken coop at night. The last way to keep a chicken safe from predators is to make sure that the fencing is dug deep enough to keep out diggers.

When Albert Zavala (12) was younger, his family bought chickens. Zavala’s sibling wanted the chickens, so their family went to a farmer’s store to purchase them. 

At first, they had five chickens, but now they only have one. Zavala currently has a Plymouth Rock chicken, which is great choice for breeding for egg-laying. Zavala did have some other pets, a red-eye bunny, and a hen. Unfortunately, both pets escaped. Zavala also has two birds and a cat.