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Home grown chickens to eat? (Merged Discussion)

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  • Daz1
    Daz1 Posts: 125 Forumite
    100% correct dnd. Though I did see a system that operates on a timer or light meter that will automatically open the door in the morning and close it up at night.... :rotfl: Mine prefer to be tucked in by hand at night, perhaps even a bed-time story and like it when I'm there to greet them in the morning with their feed bucket......my best friends when they spot that!!!
  • Hapless_2
    Hapless_2 Posts: 2,619 Forumite
    I have a horrible feeling that chickens are going to be the new Chiuahuas!
    The "Bloodlust" Clique - Morally equal to all. Member 10
    grocery challenge...Budget £420

    Wk 1 £27.10
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    Wk 4
  • ~Chameleon~
    ~Chameleon~ Posts: 11,956 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hapless wrote: »
    I have a horrible feeling that chickens are going to be the new Chiuahuas!


    I know exactly what you mean :(

    I can imagine all sorts of people rushing out to buy chickens without the first clue what keeping them actually entails, or the cost of doing so, and neither will they take the time to fully research it before doing so.

    I can forsee very many cases whereby the chickens' welfare in these situations will most likely be even worse that the intensively raised chickens they were trying to avoid buying in the first place! :rolleyes:
    “You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”
  • Lotus-eater
    Lotus-eater Posts: 10,789 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hapless wrote: »
    DON'T BUY CHICKENS. Get them from the battery hen trust.

    http://www.bhwt.org.uk/
    My advice for first time chicken keepers............... don't get ex battery hens!
    You will have hens dieing on you, if you're daft enough to take your chickens to the vets, you will have vets bills.

    The eggs will probably be substandard after a while. Lets not forget, these hens are designed to lay flat out for one year and then be thrown away. Better to get some decent birds that will last you. Otherwise you might just be put off having poultry for life.
    Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
  • jordylass
    jordylass Posts: 1,114 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    We're already friends, but they think they'll stink.
    There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.
  • linzibean
    linzibean Posts: 437 Forumite
    Hapless wrote: »
    I have a horrible feeling that chickens are going to be the new Chiuahuas!

    A bit harsh. How are attitudes going to change if there are always naysayers fortelling doom on people who are at least trying?? I think it's very admirable of people to try, keeping chickens is an excellent way to have a little bit of self sufficiency, as well as have guilt free eggs. It may take some research to start with, which hopefully anyone with an ounce of sense would do before getting any living creature, but after that they are relatively low maintenance.
  • Hapless_2
    Hapless_2 Posts: 2,619 Forumite
    linzibean wrote: »
    A bit harsh. How are attitudes going to change if there are always naysayers fortelling doom on people who are at least trying?? I think it's very admirable of people to try, keeping chickens is an excellent way to have a little bit of self sufficiency, as well as have guilt free eggs. It may take some research to start with, which hopefully anyone with an ounce of sense would do before getting any living creature, but after that they are relatively low maintenance.

    Keeping chickens is not like keeping a dog. I don't wish to put anyone off, but there is a lot more to consider, from foxes to avian flu, keeping up with the Defra rules etc.
    For one thing, they are not pets, should there be an avian flu outbreak in the vicinity, your nice out all day birds will have to be shut in until the controls are relaxed.
    I strongly suggest that people do not rush out and get a couple of chickens until they have spent at least 6 months researching the subject. Remember, there are no kennels for chickens for when you want to go on holiday.
    I have nearly 30 yrs experience of home free-range chickens and they are hard work.
    The "Bloodlust" Clique - Morally equal to all. Member 10
    grocery challenge...Budget £420

    Wk 1 £27.10
    Wk 2 £78.06
    Wk 3 £163.06
    Wk 4
  • babyblooz
    babyblooz Posts: 1,122 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    How would you find out if there are covenents against keeping a couple of chickens in your back yard? Would the council have the last word, even if the deeds of the house allowed it? Our neighbours are narky (cos we fell out over something else years ago) and if they had a chance to cause trouble they would, just for the hell of it.
    :hello: :wave: please play nicely children !
  • Hapless_2
    Hapless_2 Posts: 2,619 Forumite
    Check local by-laws and enquire at the council. I am currently arguing with our H/A as they allow pigeon lofts but not chickens, all the neighbours don't mind (one in private place has them already) so hoping that we can get the tenancy rule overturned as we are so rural.
    The "Bloodlust" Clique - Morally equal to all. Member 10
    grocery challenge...Budget £420

    Wk 1 £27.10
    Wk 2 £78.06
    Wk 3 £163.06
    Wk 4
  • linzibean
    linzibean Posts: 437 Forumite
    Hapless wrote: »
    Keeping chickens is not like keeping a dog. I don't wish to put anyone off, but there is a lot more to consider, from foxes to avian flu, keeping up with the Defra rules etc.
    For one thing, they are not pets, should there be an avian flu outbreak in the vicinity, your nice out all day birds will have to be shut in until the controls are relaxed.
    I strongly suggest that people do not rush out and get a couple of chickens until they have spent at least 6 months researching the subject. Remember, there are no kennels for chickens for when you want to go on holiday.
    I have nearly 30 yrs experience of home free-range chickens and they are hard work.

    I never suggested it was like keeping a dog; just because you personally have had lots of experience doesn't mean you can assume people on this forum will not be equally as proficient as yourself keeping chickens or any other livestock. Comments like "they're going to be the new chiuhua" are demeaning to people looking to make a genuine improvement to their own lives and gain a better understanding of where their food comes from.
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