The Rise of Emotional Support Chickens

Move over, dogs and cats—chickens are the latest stars in the emotional support animal world. Once seen as just farm animals, they're now helping many Americans manage stress and anxiety in their daily lives. Backed by online search data and a national survey of 1,000 people, our report explores the rise of emotional support chickens, who's adopting them, and why they're gaining popularity across the U.S.

Key Takeaways

• About 1 in 6 Americans owns an ESA. Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado are the most interested in ESAs.
• Searches for emotional support chickens are up 80%, with Vermont, Maine, and Alaska having the most searches.
• 19% of millennials and 18% of Gen Z favor chickens for emotional support animals.
• 1 in 9 Americans reported being scammed by fraudulent ESA services, with 35% of victims losing over $150.
• Nearly 1 in 10 Americans (9%) use AI for emotional support, with 11% of millennials and 10% of Gen Z among them.

Unique Companions

Emotional support animals (ESAs) are becoming more popular than ever. Let's take a look at which states and cities are most interested in these comforting companions, as well as the types of animals people are searching for the most.

The love for emotional support animals is spread far and wide. The states with the highest search volumes for ESAs in the past year were:

 

1. Arizona
2. Nevada
3. Colorado
4. Texas
5. North Dakota
6. Florida
7. Oregon
8. Washington
9. Virginia
10. Utah

The top 10 cities with the most searches for ESAs were:

1. Atlanta, GA
2. Miami, FL
3. Minneapolis, MN
4. Las Vegas, NV
5. Denver, CO
6. Tampa, FL
7. Austin, TX
8. Seattle, WA
9. Baltimore, MD
10. Arlington, TX

It's no surprise that dogs stole the ESA spotlight, with the highest search volume in the past year—nearly 150,000 searches. Cats came in second, racking up over 54,000 searches. But here's a twist: chickens are gaining popularity, with 44,910 searches, showing that not all emotional support animals are your typical house pets.

Next up are the top emotional support animals in each state—get ready for some surprises!

While traditional pets like dogs and cats are the most popular ESAs, there's a growing fascination with more unconventional companions. From pigs in Alabama to snakes in Wyoming, Americans have searched for many nontraditional ESAs in the past year.

According to search volume data, chickens are leading among the more unexpected ESA searches. They ruffled up enough interest to land at the top spot, surpassing other unique choices as follows:

 

1. Chickens
2. Rabbits
3. Snakes
4. Pigs
5. Fish

 

But if you're wondering which dog breeds are the most popular for emotional support, we've got you covered. Golden Retrievers claimed the crown, thanks to their well-known gentle and loyal nature. Chihuahuas, with their small size and big personalities, came in second. Not far behind were Pugs, beloved for their affectionate and laid-back demeanor. German Shepherds and Poodles completed the top five, each offering a unique mix of intelligence, loyalty, and comfort.

 

Feathered Therapy

Chickens are becoming an unexpected favorite in the world of emotional support animals. This section explores which states and cities are leading the trend and why these feathered companions are gaining popularity.

 

How did chickens go from the farmyard coop to emotional support stardom? According to Jana McDaniel, the answer lies in the power of social media.

"The surge in interest around emotional support chickens is likely due to social media influence, especially on platforms like TikTok, where unconventional emotional support animals have gained attention," Jana McDaniel said, "Videos showing the calming presence and companionship of chickens have gone viral, sparking curiosity among many viewers."

In the U.S., searches for emotional support chickens have soared by 80% in the past year. Vermont, Maine, and Alaska showed the highest interest per capita, followed by New Hampshire, Wyoming, Delaware, Montana, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and North Dakota. At the city level, Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Seattle were home to the most curious chicken enthusiasts.

This growing trend also aligns with the rise in greener living. As Jana McDaniel explained, "As people seek more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyles, chickens offer dual benefits—providing emotional support while contributing to backyard farming." She went on to say, "News stories featuring successful emotional support chickens have also helped normalize this unique form of therapy, encouraging others to explore it."

 

What's Behind the Trend?

The following data sheds light on who is most likely to own an ESA and some of the challenges that come with this growing trend.

In the past year, about 1 in 6 Americans owned an ESA, showing just how common these animals have become. But with popularity comes some pitfalls—1 in 9 reported being scammed by fraudulent ESA services, and 35% of those affected lost over $150 in the process.

When it came to who owned an ESA, men were slightly more likely to have one (17%) compared to women (14%). Across generations, Gen Z led the way with 18% owning an ESA, while millennials followed closely behind at 17%. Gen X and Baby Boomers were less likely to join in, with 13% and 6% ownership, respectively.

Income also played a role. Those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 were the most likely to have an ESA (17%), while people earning over $100,000 came in at 15%. Those making under $50,000 weren't far behind at 14%.

And if you're wondering about the influence of work environments, hybrid workers led with 21% owning an ESA, while in-office employees followed at 17%. Remote workers were even less likely (12%), and people not currently working were the least likely to own one (10%).

When building a chicken coop for emotional support chickens, the space needs to be safe, comfortable, and clean. Expert Jana McDaniel recommends:

 

• Choosing a predator-proof coop with enough ventilation and space—around 2-3 square feet per chicken inside the coop.
• Using eco-friendly materials like recycled wood for sustainability.
• Adding nesting boxes for egg-laying.

 

Jana McDaniel also suggested that owners should: "Clean the coop regularly, provide fresh water, and use natural pest control methods to keep mites and other pests away—a healthy, happy chicken is key to creating a positive emotional connection."

As the emotional support animal trend grows, opinions vary about which animals are best suited for support and where these animals should be allowed outside the home.

Chickens have gained a fan base among younger Americans, with 19% of millennials and 18% of Gen Z favoring them as emotional support animals. According to Jana McDaniel, this is likely because "emotional support chickens can provide a sense of companionship, stress relief, and a calming presence, much like other traditional emotional support animals. Their gentle nature and unique personalities help reduce anxiety and promote emotional well-being."

Jana McDaniel also added that "Chickens are relatively easy to care for, making them a great option for those looking for an unconventional emotional support animal that also offers practical benefits, such as egg-laying."

Opinions were divided about where ESAs should be allowed. While 59% of Americans believed emotional support animals shouldn't be permitted in restaurants, 41% thought they should have a place at the table. Over half of Americans (60%) also thought ESAs should be allowed in the workplace.

But it's not just feathered friends making waves: nearly 1 in 10 Americans (9%) are turning to AI for emotional support. Among millennials (11%) and Gen Z (10%), AI companions are becoming more common, and interestingly, 18% of these AI users found their virtual companions more effective than traditional ESAs.

Emotional Support Chickens Take Flight

As emotional support animals help Americans manage stress and anxiety, unconventional choices like chickens are proving their worth. Their calming presence, ease of care, and practical benefits make them an appealing alternative to traditional ESAs. Whether it's through social media influence or the rise of eco-friendly lifestyles, emotional support chickens are here to stay. As more Americans embrace these feathered companions, the trend highlights a growing openness to new and innovative ways of finding comfort and support.

 

Methodology

For this campaign, we analyzed search volume data from the past year to explore Americans' interest in emotional support animals, with a special focus on emotional support chickens. We also conducted a survey of 1,000 individuals to gather insights into their views on this growing trend of having animals for emotional support. Among them, 54% were women, 45% were men, and 2% identified as non-binary.

The generational breakdown among social media users was as follows:

• Gen Z: 17%
• Millennials: 50%
• Gen X: 25%
• Baby Boomers: 8%

The work environment breakdown among social media users was as follows:

• In-office: 28%
• Remote: 29%
• Hybrid: 23%
• Not currently working: 20%

The survey was conducted in August 2024.

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