Whether or not to start.......

[Elise]

Hi all.....

I'm trying to decide whether or not to get a couple of chickens. Just two/three max. (It's only to provide for myself and the other half.)

Are they a big bind?
I have a demanding job and can't always get back in an evening when I'd like to. So the odd weekend, I won't make it back at all, and the odd evening, I'd be kinda late. I live in the 'burbs' and don't want to come back to the remains of a foxes dinner - so I'd have to coop/run them pretty much permanently. :/ (Not ideal.) That and I understand I would have to cover the veg/fruit etc.

I have the space (and alot of literature to read! ). What do you guys think?

Thoughts and opinions please.

[MaureenHall]

If you can't (at the moment) devote enough time to the chickens, then I'd say no. They'll need to be at least let out in the mornings, fed, watered, eggs collected, poo picked, and put away safely at night (unless you're thinking of electric fence of course). Leaving food out overnight also poses problems as it can attract rats, though there are special feeders to overcome that problem.

By the way, welcome to the Vine

[Bramble-Poultry]

Like all animals they are not self sufficient and require food and water daily, safety from predators and general care.

You can run chickens on autowatering, auto feeding and have an autocloser door, expensive to set up though, we have several runs here on autosystems, mainly turkeys and meat growing chickens to minimise the human interaction with them, However this does NOT mean that they can be left unattended for days on end, they will still need to be visually chescked everyday to ensure that the systems are functioning and that their health and wellbeing is fine - you also need to collect your eggs otherwise you will get problems with rats, broodiness, egg eating and generally they will not be suitable for eating having been left in a warm coop for a couple of days.

As for late back in the evenings - most of us struggle in the winter due to shortened daylight hours - you just find a rountine to suit, perhaps there may be a more suitable option such as another family member, friend or neighbour who could step in if you are on a late day or away day.

As for numbers of chooks - 2 is not enough - they are a flock animal and we always reccomend a minimum of 3 - that way if one should die then the other is not left on its own!

[Elise]

MaureenHall - thanks for the welcome.

Thanks for the input guys. I wasn't worried about the morning stuff (letting me feed/water/collect) it was the putting away of an evening that was a big concern. I know guys who lock thier's up over the weekend and don't find it a problem, but I just couldn't make that one sit very well with me.

I'm not sure I have space for three. (Go on! Say it! I'm not sure about much!! ) I wouldn't leave one bird on it's own any-hoo. I'm a stark raving veggie, so it's not about the meat and welfare is a big issue for me. The other half has been briefed - chickens don't die/get sick/etc. You just come downstairs the next morning and the bird that was in a funk has 'mysteriously changed colour'!!