Might upset a few, but here goes.......

[Snadger]

I have chooks at the allotment for eggs and meat.

Quite a few recent newcomers to the allotments have what I can only describe as 'pretty birds' like silkies in various shades and miniature Indian Game etc.

Now I can understand keeping the likes of these for free ranging in a garden or estate because of there good looks and cuddlyness, but I can't understand people keeping them locked up in a confined space at an allotment where they are visited maybe once a day to feed etc.

They aren't being kept for eggs. They certainly aren't being kept for meat. They aren't being kept for breeding purposes. So what flaming good are they?

I'm all for saving rare and native breeds, but come on,these overpriced poodles of the chook world, to my mind, are just a waste of space kept out of site in a small pen in an allotment to be gowered at for half an hour a day.

Sorry if i'm coming over as a bit of a fuddy duddy, and you will all probably say 'Each to there own' but I just can't see the point?

[Glutton4...]

Each to their own - you old fuddy-duddy! LOL
Perhaps they're just a talking point for down the Pub? Sad innit?

[walldanzig]

I like to have a breed that is suitable to needs/enviroment but every now and then I get taken in by a fancy breed dont think there is any harm in it. But if they are only going up every now and again then whats the point. When I went to collect the ex batts the girl had some transylvanian bare necks running around and when I first spotted them I couldnt believe why anyone would want to keep them is it was quite possibly the strangest thing I have seen

[Jeanied]

What are your views on pigeon keeping Snadge?

[Snadger]

What are your views on pigeon keeping Snadge?

The pigeon keepers round here make serious bucks out of them and most of them breed their own and lavish loads of time on them. Pigeon keepers are usually fanatical and even though I've never tried them (apart from in a pie). They aren't bread for looks but speed .
Anyway.........anything that was good enough for Charles Darwin is good enough for me.

As an aside, we aren't allowed to keep pigeons or doves on our site!

[Snadger]

Each to their own - you old fuddy-duddy! LOL
Perhaps they're just a talking point for down the Pub? Sad innit?

Asked for that, didn't I?

[its hilly]

I can see where you're coming from Snadger, I dont really understand anyone who spends money to buy and keep an animal of any sort, but then spend only the bare minimum of time it takes to feed and clean them in its company.
I have to sit on the fence (oowww) a bit cos although Ive got hybrids for eggs, Sussex for dual etc Ive also got the sablepoots, which are gorgeous..dont lay well, dont go broody well (or as far as I know) so theyre just there for looking at. And bantam cuckoo marans, who do lay etc, but to me are too small to be called really useful. But are cute.
BUT must say I spend quite a bit of time around the chooks, and have every intention of selling hatching eggs off my 'pretties' and showing them.

[Snadger]

I can see where you're coming from Snadger, I dont really understand anyone who spends money to buy and keep an animal of any sort, but then spend only the bare minimum of time it takes to feed and clean them in its company.
I have to sit on the fence (oowww) a bit cos although Ive got hybrids for eggs, Sussex for dual etc Ive also got the sablepoots, which are gorgeous..dont lay well, dont go broody well (or as far as I know) so theyre just there for looking at. And bantam cuckoo marans, who do lay etc, but to me are too small to be called really useful. But are cute.
BUT must say I spend quite a bit of time around the chooks, and have every intention of selling hatching eggs off my 'pretties' and showing them.

I myself could fancy a silky or two, but just for there broodiness and because they make good mothers. I also think Sablefoots are really pretty and their colours are beautiful. But to lock the likes of Sablefoot,silkies etc away in a very small coop and run, and visit them briefly now and again at an allotment is wrong in my opinion.

[di]

I kind of get where you're coming from Snadge in that I don't see the point,but not so sure I'd go so far as saying it's wrong?
Do Silkies and other 'pretty' breeds deserve more attention just because they're pretty?

Knowing how much effort is involved in getting to the lottie at least twice a day(preferably for me three),in all weathers,I don't think I'd be quite so keen to be doing it for poor layers...plus a lottie is officially provided for you to feed yourself and family...I'd also be a little concerned keeping more expensive breeds on the plot.
We do have a couple(or so)of slightly fancier breeds but I think they should still be fairly decent layers.

[FB.]

What are your views on pigeon keeping Snadge?

I used to be very much in the birdkeeping community (not racing pigeons though).
Most pigeon keepers that I ever knew had to be ruthless to the point of cruelty with their birds, if they wanted to be winners.

Too slow getting home? Neck it.
Sat on the roof for five minutes before coming down? Neck it.
Too old to have a chance of winning a race? Neck it.
Pigeon shed getting a bit crowded? Neck the slowest home from the next race.
Didn't make it home? Never mind; plenty of squeakers coming through the ranks.

[Snadger]

I kind of get where you're coming from Snadge in that I don't see the point,but not so sure I'd go so far as saying it's wrong?
Do Silkies and other 'pretty' breeds deserve more attention just because they're pretty?

Knowing how much effort is involved in getting to the lottie at least twice a day(preferably for me three),in all weathers,I don't think I'd be quite so keen to be doing it for poor layers...plus a lottie is officially provided for you to feed yourself and family...I'd also be a little concerned keeping more expensive breeds on the plot.
We do have a couple(or so)of slightly fancier breeds but I think they should still be fairly decent layers.

I think you've probably hit the nail on the head. With so many people on waiting lists for allotments so they can feed there family with good wholesome food, including chicken and eggs, deep down I probably resent fancy birds only being kept.
I suppose, against this argument is the fact I wouldn't have any problems with someone just growing flowers on their plot?

Anyway, who am I to judge?

Its not a big deal, just a point of view!

[piskieinboots]

why has this thread got a 'thumbs down' sign by it just curious

[di]

why has this thread got a 'thumbs down' sign by it just curious

'cos Snadge is being grumpy!

[Nicos]

I'd sort of go with 'everyone to their own'
My side thoughts are though...

Yup- the lotties are for food production- and all chooks lay ...at different rates- some smaller/less than others depending on breed and age. (I eat my bantam boys ( 750g) )

- if the owners are turning up several times a day, there is more security on the site.

nope- fancy chooks are an open invitation for 2 legged thieves

- lotties aren't really for 'pets'-but it can be argued that although we grow flowers for our pleasure the bees are encouraged into the growing area and will pollinate the fruit and veg in the same way that if the chooks are allowed to free rage at some point , they are eating grubs etc and left over veg leaves/roots.

So in my mind a fancy chook is still an 'egg laying machine' as far as a lottie is concerned, but fancy ones do slightly increase the chances of the site being targeted for the birds- then the tools- then the produce. ( not so good)

[Paulottie]

Well I agree Snadger.

Probably an even more unpopular view: but I'm not convinced you should have live stock on an allotment at all....but then I live in a snooty village and the neighbours would kick up hell if the site turned into a smelly shanty town.

Our tenancy only states no sheds and 'erect no pig sty'.... but it's all a can of worms really - Unproductive hens, noisy cockerels, rabbits, guinea pigs, guard dog! Its too open to abuse , inturpretation and gets away from growing veg as the primary purpose.

Also there is the question of cruelty/responsibility, I see people come and go and well, if they let their veg rot in the field, that's one thing, but once animals are concerned...I certainly couldn't stand by if the highest standards of husbandry were not followed.

We considered bees on the common area well away from the plots....Unfortunately the neighbour decided to make a twee little seating area by there. So that plan was shelved.

The only other considered suggestion was a goat or two. I'm really sick of the mowing...but again it needs some shelter and imagine the damage it could do to crops if it got loose!