Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

lyndasharp

After mulling over the chicken idea for a while, we finally succumbed and these are our 3 little girlies - all lemon millefleur sablepoots. They are called Smudge, Posie and Pootle.... We got them just over a week ago, and they seem to be getting used to the cat now!

We had the same dilemma MKCOL, but think our neighbours will keep an eye on them while we are away. If not, we'd need to get a cat sitter in anyway so I'm sure they'd do chickens, as long as they were paid for it!

Rummer

angelavdavis wrote: »

It depends if you own your house. If you own your house you need to check that there is no livestock ban in your deeds.

If you rent your house, you need to check with your housing association and/or council. Most councils have a general helpline number you can call. They will put you through to the relevant department which can differ between authorities - it might be planning in some areas, environment in others. Although the 1950 Allotment act is in support for chicken keepers, local bylaws can over-ride this.

If you plan to keep them on an allotment - you will need to check the terms of your tenancy.

Thank you for that! I am planning on keeping them at home and I own (well have a mortgage for) my own home. I guess I should dig out the deeds for my house and check if it mentions livestock. If it does can a decision from the council overturn that or will I just have to forget my dream?

skipton

My partner is busy prototyping a 'heal 'n grow' greenhouse (pm me if you want to see his website) so is making lots of sawdust which my 3 girls have decided is a new kind of treat.
Will I get wooden eggs?

Anyone have any ideas for stopping them laying outside? They don't come out to freerange until the afternoon but I'm sure they're hanging on.

steady__eddie

Perhaps they're looking for the woodworms.

skipton

steady__eddie wrote: »

Perhaps they're looking for the woodworms.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Kevie192

Hi everyone !!

I'm soooooo excited... The OH has said we can have some CHICKENS!!

I've been wanting some for the last 18 months and now we're finally in a place where we have the space for them. There is only one problem I can forsee - the cat. She's not a massive cat and not a hunter so I wondered how everyone gets on with cats and chickens living together?

I've been looking at this local house/run on ebay. Do you think it looks ok? Also, do you think 2 chickens is enough in there or would you put more?

I've been reading a lot but it's always difficult when you start out with a new learning experience

Kevin x

HariboJunkie

Kevie192 wrote: »

Hi everyone !!

I'm soooooo excited... The OH has said we can have some CHICKENS!!

I've been wanting some for the last 18 months and now we're finally in a place where we have the space for them. There is only one problem I can forsee - the cat. She's not a massive cat and not a hunter so I wondered how everyone gets on with cats and chickens living together?

I've been looking at this local house/run on ebay. Do you think it looks ok? Also, do you think 2 chickens is enough in there or would you put more?

I've been reading a lot but it's always difficult when you start out with a new learning experience

Kevin x

Congratulations Kevie :j

Our cat is absolutely terrified of the hens. A few of the neighbourhood cats have stalked threateningly up to the hens only to be seen off by the ensuing sqwawking so yours will probably be ok.

Re the house/run... Are you planning on letting them free range? That house looks fine as long as they aren't expected to spend long periods of time in the run.

Kevie192

Well we both work full time but we were thinking we can let the chickens out to roam the garden in the evenings and at weekends. Would that be ok?

I feel like there is so much still to learn!!!

Kevin x

HariboJunkie

Kevie192 wrote: »

Well we both work full time but we were thinking we can let the chickens out to roam the garden in the evenings and at weekends. Would that be ok?

I feel like there is so much still to learn!!!

Kevin x

I suppose it's personal choice really. I'm lucky enough to be able to let mine free range even when we're out but that's because we are a fox free zone and have spent a small fortune chicken proofing any potential escape routes .

Like I say it's up to you but being completely honest I wouldn't be happy with them in that size run but I'm a softie.

ginnyknit

I have to agree that henhouse looks a bit small, but at least you could move it round the garden so they get fresh ground. I saw a pyramid shaped one at Home bargains last week for 20 quid that was a little bigger than that one and would do at a pinch. We started off with a decent sized run but added to it recently as we thought they needed more room. Chickens are bigger than you think.:)