Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

Winky,_The_House_Elf

There was a clause (covenant?) when we bought our house which stated no live stock or poultry or caravans! It was only valid for 10 years from when the house was built. I think the builders were looking to protect the "Image" so it wouldn't put off buyers as they were still expanding the estate.

The house is just outside of that now and I seriously want chooks, but my 2 dogs couldn't be trusted as they would definately go for the kill, so I would need to keep them in a run all day which I don't think is fair.

angelsmomma

Winky,_The_House_Elf wrote: »

There was a clause (covenant?) when we bought our house which stated no live stock or poultry or caravans! It was only valid for 10 years from when the house was built. I think the builders were looking to protect the "Image" so it wouldn't put off buyers as they were still expanding the estate.

The house is just outside of that now and I seriously want chooks, but my 2 dogs couldn't be trusted as they would definately go for the kill, so I would need to keep them in a run all day which I don't think is fair.

I have three rescue Greyhounds and they all chase cats and small furries so are always muzzled outside the house, however I also have 3 free range ex battery chickens in my back yard (I took up the concrete and laid soil).

I was really nervous at first and kept them muzzled for a few days but despite having a 4 foot fence that the dogs could jump in a second they never even bother. They seem to know that the chickens are just part of the family. I have had them since June now and no mishaps at all. One did squeeze through a tiny gap (now filled) in the fence where the dog was lying but he just looked startled.

It is so much fun having chickens.

Gigervamp

Some chickens are occasionally noisier than others. My Sussex Star likes to let everybody know when she's going in the coop to lay her egg, and also, when she comes out after laying! But other than that, they're pretty quiet.

Alison_Funnell

OK I have 7 house cats, that go in our garden under supervision on very long leads, so we aren't a neighbourhood issue.

I would far rather our neighbours had a couple of chooks in our tiny town backgardens than the concreted 'dead of all life' or the stinking messes that have been there with previous neighbours.

Atleast the gardens would be productive and they would help control some insects and that is without the egg and meat bonuses. Of course they can be a bit smelly if people aren't used to livestock or they aren't well looked after but that's nothing that can't changed.

I would love to get a couple after we have finished building our conservatory - once I've checked our deeds and local council.

zippychick

Frugal wrote: »

I used to keep 5 chickens and 2 ducks in my garden... We had complaints from neighbours :mad: which I ignored and eventually we moved to a country house (not as grand as it sounds )

Anyway, I am back in my house, in a town... and I don't know if it is legal to keep chickens where I live...

How can i found out, and how can I appeal if its not allowed...

As far as I am concerned, keeping 2 or 3 chickens is much better than keeping a cat (which craps in anyones gardens and provides no use whatsoever)...

Please can anyone give me advice on this... I really want my kids to learn about where food comes from, and I do love a couple of chooks running about free in my garden clearing up slugs, snails etc!

Thanks

Ummmm is there really any need for the cat bashing?

Seakay

Yes, as a city dweller I was going to pass on some helpful advice for other chicken keepers, but as I am a cat owner and apparently that makes me both inferior and a nuisance then I shan't bother

Fruball

Sorry, I really didn't mean to offend.

I just find it mad that probably cannot keep a couple of chickens in my own garden and yet cats are allowed to roam free causing nuisances to others. And where we live there are a huge amount of cats which causes the animals themselves problems as they fight over territory... usually in my garden

I certainly didn't mean to make you feel like the owners are inferior (I didn't say that ) or a nuisance.

I would be grateful for your advice on chickens

(I will delete the comment "that are no use whatsoever" that was uncalled for, sorry

flowertotmum

Frugal wrote: »

I used to keep 5 chickens and 2 ducks in my garden... We had complaints from neighbours :mad: which I ignored and eventually we moved to a country house (not as grand as it sounds )

Anyway, I am back in my house, in a town... and I don't know if it is legal to keep chickens where I live...

How can i found out, and how can I appeal if its not allowed...

As far as I am concerned, keeping 2 or 3 chickens is much better than keeping a cat (which craps in anyones gardens)

Please can anyone give me advice on this... I really want my kids to learn about where food comes from, and I do love a couple of chooks running about free in my garden clearing up slugs, snails etc!

Thanks

Hi there frugal...i have 4 chickens in my garden..i applied to my local council for permission and they were great and came to see me to make sure it was kosher :rotfl:...anyway they came i showed them where i was keeping them and that it was away from most of the neighbours..they said yes and put it in writing..in the meantime i went to see all my neighbours and told them ...not one objected and think i have started a trend as 2 of my neighbours now have permission pending...my girls love it..we feed them in the mornings before school and collect the eggs if there is any...they help clean them out too...i shouldn't think anyone will complain..my 4 make less noise than the bloody dogs at the end of the road..no-one knows they are here...ask permission first..just to be on the safe side...good luck...
sara

Fruball

Thanks Sara

valk_scot

Frugal wrote: »

(I will delete the comment "that are no use whatsoever" that was uncalled for, sorry

Well, they're not, are they? (Sez she looking sideways at the large hairy lump of a cat lying snoring on her desk.) All mine do that's useful is to hunt the odd spider, and I don't even mind spiders. I did try spinning some of the fur I combed off the long haired one but it didn't really work that well. They are indeed a bit pointless when it comes to being useful in any practical sense of the word! I still love them though.

I bet you don't keep chickens though just for eggs and Kentucky Fried? The chickens that belong to my friends have names and personalities as well as being useful. Pet chickens.