Should I get some Chickens

[Adam Fletcher]

This is becoming a big question, Should I get chickens.
Where do I start, I know a place where I could get some. But what do they need ??
Do I have to feed them daily or could this be done every few days and most importantly will they dig the veg up ??
Thanks

[yoanbob]

YES theey will dig it up, eat it, and the slugs YEAH! and the worms POO! they need to have their own area fenced and preferably fox proof especially if you cant be there every day, a house, a roosting bar and a nest box, you can leave them a few days at a time if they have enough food and water, if you cant afford fox proof fence you could raise the house above fox leval, about 6 ft. but will need to train them for about a week every nite at dusk. not collecting the eggs daily can mean broody hens, which means no eggs till they figure out the ones they r sat on arn't live, about 3 weeks, also when you first get them its best to be around and handle them as much as poss, chasing chucks is not fun for them or you but early handling will pay dividends in the long run. they will come for a cuddle if you train them early. you can let them in the veg bit when your digging over and they will help with removing slugs and eggs, but be carefull, it wont take them long to figure out where your digging produces beat slugs and worms and its easy to find one right under your spade.
good luck.

[Squirrel]

This is becoming a big question, Should I get chickens.
Where do I start, I know a place where I could get some. But what do they need ??
Do I have to feed them daily or could this be done every few days and most importantly will they dig the veg up ??
Thanks

Adam

Chooks are great fun and also an asset when it comes to keeping creepie crawlies away from your veg BUT it has to be done under supervision. they can decimate a veg garden in a matter of hours given free access. You would be better off giving them their own little bit of space and letting them out to free range of an evening while you are around.

While wild fowl can take care of themselves and there are feeding systems available which mean you don't have to worry about feeding every day, it is necessary to visit each day to check on them, preferably twice a day. Foxy is very good at getting at chooks if you are not careful and you could be in big trouble if he visits after you have been to check and you have dead chooks lying around for a few days before you get back.

In past times hens were, and in fact still are, kept in moveable arcs or pens. Can you not make up a pen the size of your beds and just move them around as the beds come clear? That way they will clear the land for you and manure it at the same time. Their scratching also breaks down the top layer of soil rather nicely too!

Do hope I have not put you off keeping hens, they are great things to have, do not take a great amount of looking after, as long as you look after them well!

[User Removed]

Well I could put them at work as that will save a lot of trouble and there is plenty of room for them to run about in and there is always somepeople there to feed them
I will think about it and ask the staff before I buy any

[Squirrel]

Here's hoping they say yes!

[User Removed]

Well squirrel they did, but there were conditions
#1, they are not sleeping in the office
#2 they don't have to clean up after them
# 3 they get some eggs

Cheaky sods. I will be getting some though

[Snadger]

Well squirrel they did, but there were conditions
#1, they are not sleeping in the office
#2 they don't have to clean up after them
# 3 they get some eggs

Cheaky sods. I will be getting some though

Are you on about the staff or the chickens

[windchest]

Hello,
I just joined !!.
I live in manchester (cadishead), Has anyone any idea where I could get some chickens ! I've been thinking of saving some battery hens.is that a good idea,as I want a few eggs. i'm very new to this ,so please by patient.
cheers "windchest"

[yoanbob]

hello windchest welcome.
i know a place in huddersfield but it might be too far you.
saving battries is akkways a good idea, how many eggs do you want, how much space do you have?