I would like to get some hens, but..

[Tigerella]

Hi

I only have an allotment, I live in a terraced house with a small yard.
I dont go to the allotment every day, may be able to go most days in the summer.

I would like to get some hens, but how much care do they need, and would they be safe.
I would like to get 3+ hens, but is it feasable?

T

[Herbgardener]

IMHO I would say that if you are going to be responsible for the care of any animal you must be able to check it daily or get someone trustworthy to do it for you.

Herb.

[Rooster]

I agree very strongly with Herbgardener I'm afraid. Chickens need a constant supply of fresh food and water, they poo a lot so need cleaning a lot and they have plenty of predators. You will need to check on them at the very least for 10 minutes or so each day. Not to mention the build up of eggs in the nest boxes, if they break them they will eat them. This can lead to chickens breaking them on purpose to eat, a hard habit to break. Sorry Tigerella, they are easy to look after but need some daily time.

Regards, Rooster

[shirlthegirl43]

On the other hand, how small is your yard, could you keep them there and give them fresh greens every day?

[Tigerella]

On the other hand, how small is your yard, could you keep them there and give them fresh greens every day?

Hi

That did cross my mind. It would be alot bigger space than some hens would get, its just what the neighbours would say. Noisey?
Its a terraced street with back to back houses all around.

T

[Rooster]

You can use hemp bedding (usually for horses, brand name Aubiose or Hemcore) on your yard surface this will soak up some of the poop and ammonia to keep smell down and still give them somthing to scratch about and dustbathe in. As you will be in a residential area at home you could put some garlic powder in their food (again meant for horses) this makes their poo smell less (don't ask me how but it does work).

Also the only real noise is the odd squawk when they lay an egg.

Regards, Rooster

[TEB]

I would say more than a squak if mine are anything to go by, more like an old biddy convention having a blue rinse

[Tracey]

Hi Tigerella

Do you know anyone who had chickens in your area that you can visit to see what's involved? If you do have them in your garden you could buy a small eglu coop from Omlet or 2nd hand from ebay that don't take much room up. Omlet also run chicken keeping courses.

Kind regards
Tracey

[Sue]

Hi
I've got hens on the allotment and I don't always get up to see to them every day, they've been fine, had them almost a year now.
They're in a covered pen so they're protected from the weather and they have very large water and food containers always kept topped up.
I only ever had a few problems with egg eating when they were starting and Enid used to lay in the run from the perch, they broke and got eaten. Since they've been laying properly I've never had an egg eating problem.
Don't have poo problems either, they are on bare earth with a layer of leaves, wood shavings and then straw. That's been quite an expense but it's kept them clean and dry and it has provided endless opportunities for them, digging and scratching around. Unless they've got runny poo problems you can hardly seen the poo with this arrangement, it falls through to the wood shaving level. Even with all the heavy rain, the roof has kept their run quite dry. I clear the whole lot off every week and put down new stuff for them (Have quite a compost pile!)
My allotment neighbours have my phone number if there are any problems.
So if you have someone there to look out for them and they are in a protected environment then it is possible to keep them Tigerella. I've got three and I'm up to see them tomorrow!
best wishes
Sue

[Tigerella]

Hi

I visited Temple Newsham farm yesterday, and they had fully enclosed pens, with a box/coop in the air and a ladder down to the grass, that looked like a good design.
Although it is still only in my head, and not reallity yet!

Many thanks..T

[Rooster]

You'd be very welcome to visit here anytime Tigerella

[rustylady]

Many, many years ago my Nan lived in a terraced house in Ealing, London. She had only a paved courtyard at the back of the house, but Grandad had built chicken runs on all three sides of the yard. The chickens were fed regularly, loved, and produced wonderful eggs. They also had one duck (called Donald - surprise, surprise). Yes they do need a lot of cleaning, but given enough space, correct food and water, and roosting perches they can be happy. Do check your local byelaws, though, you may not be permitted to keep livestock in your backyard, and for heaven's sake don't get a cockerel - you don't need one to produce eggs.

[Paul Wagland]

Most bylaws allow chickens, but rustylady is right to say you should check this out. My two chooks are in a permanent run, something like ten foot by five, and come out into the garden at weekends. They're ex-battery, so this must seem like acres to them. They also have a view of a public park, which goes a long way to keeping them entertained!

Rooster, I'm afraid you're going to have to explain where your signature comes from.....?

[Shortie]

Paul, is it from here?
The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - My Pink Half Of The Drainpipe Lyrics

TEB, I think you're spot on with the blue rinse brigade!

[Rooster]

Well done Shortie, did you google it or did you know what it was anyway?