Chickens

[Stacey]

Hello, I wondered if anyone could help me with a poultry query. I would like to keep chickens but live next to an enthusiastic motorcyclist with many friends. I have heard that chickens are ok with noise but I have also heard that this could cause them to have a heart attck or just cause them to much stress to lay. Any help? thankyou xx

[yoanbob]

hi stacy and welcome,
chickens are fine with noise, it takes chooks about 6 weeks to really settle in a new environment, first couple of days keep them inside so they know where to go back to at night, then thet them out for short periods gradually extending it, they should get used to noise within a week or so, as long as they feel safe and have somwhere to retert to they will be fine, it takes chooks a while to settle even in quiet enviroments so dont worry, our plot backs on to a very noisy industrial estate with bikers a plenty and lots of late night partys, and even fireworks dont phaze them even tho they came from the country, just a bit of common sense when they first arrive and patience and tlc and they will soon love living with people who care. they dont even mind when we have visitors and bbqs up there with them, they like visitors, it means more treats,
good luck

[Stacey]

thankyou very much,i look forward to eventually getting some chooks xx

[terrier]

We've had several lots of hens over the years and they all have settled in immediately. After the first night in the hen shed, we just let them out to wander,come dusk they go straight back in again by themselves. I think it's turkeys that are very nervous of noise (how do you prepare a turkey for the oven...clap your hands) BTW, what are CHOOKS?

[yoanbob]

chickens are chooks terrier! or do you spell it chucks, grammer and spelling not my strong point, blonde you know!

[Stacey]

I was thinking of rehoming some battery hens,but I'm worried incase I ask the wrong farmer! And also I have a little girl,22months & I dont want to get something that might be "unstable". Ive only heard good things about chickens including batteries but that worries me because I dont have anything to way the good points up against,if that makes sense.

[terrier]

I know a couple of people who have bought battery hens.They both said that very few are traumatised so much that they don't survive. Mostly, they adjust to their better surroundings very quickly and start laying again. I think they are just happy to be out of the battery cages.

[laura g]

we're considering ex battery hens - there's a very good website for the battery hen welfare trust. they have contacts for all areas on the site as well as lots of advice. www.thehendshouse.co.uk not sure if you're allowed to post other sites on this forum - if you're not i guess the mods will amend. good luck!

[Stacey]

thankyou but the henshouse doesnt seem to be in my area-east midlands.any other suggestions?Also ive looked on ebay for a chicken house and woah with the prices! the ones we can afford (eventually lol) are no where near where i live (you cant exactly post them).OH wants to build one,any tips?

[Paulottie]

BTW, what are CHOOKS?

Streuth Terrier...'Chooks' is the Australian word for chickens.

[laura g]

it looks like if we want batteries then we shall have to wait as there are no planned rescues. However I've spoken to both my local RSPCA's and they both have chooks - maybe yours does?? Or our local farm park sells at point of lay for £5 per bird. Again, you may have one in your area?

[TPeers]

You could also get a copy of Practical Poultry, or look at you libraries copy. Near the back there are several pages of suppliers listed geographically, there should be one within striking distance for you.

Terry