Is anyone keeping chickens in a suburban garden?

[addjunkie]

'so we had a swinging party'.

Rock on, tell me more.

Feel free to post links to videos.

There are lots of videos on various outlets, to suit all tastes, some even use a broom shank! We kept it simple, a quick swing, then upside down. Pluck and mince!

Far easier to order frozen chicken minced carcass delivered by dpd and kept frozen for the dogs!

 

[rcx132]

I don't think she's after cheap eggs, I think it's just a pet interest. Bit surprised by the amount of negative feedback, ultimately there's four gardens in the area with chickens, people are doing it and enjoying them. A small number of chickens, a well made rat and fox proof coop, sweep the poop up daily, that's all they're doing.

Anyways, I passed on your feedback, reminded my wife that I'll build the coop for her but she's doing the maintenance. She said she'll have a think.

My main concern is the foxes. One house here let their chickens roam but they had a rooster which kept watch out. When the rooster went the chickens got caught by foxes. I think the others are keeping them in chicken runs and letting them out only when there's someone around.

 

[Bobupndown]

We had them at home when I was a teenager, bantams, hens and even a few geese. Probably about 30 at a time. My first ever job was installing feeding, drinking and heating systems into commercial poultry farms. To say I have had my fill with the smelly sh1tty b******s is an understatement. My dad still keeps a few at home which wander the garden. When we moved to a rural address everyone's reaction was "oh you can keep chickens now". No I bloody won't!

 

[willie.macleod]

Anyways, I passed on your feedback, reminded my wife that I'll build the coup for her but she's doing the maintenance.

I know it might go against the grain but I'd think about paying out for a prefabricated plastic house and attached run from the likes of Omlet. Way easier to keep clear of the dreaded mite and other nasties, easy to move around and very quick and easy to clean properly which means it is more likely to be done properly. Sit down before you look at their prices though or consider secondhand. Your own eggs are always going to be an expensive option but you cant beat a fried double yoker for breakfast!

 

[Porkypine]

I used to do odd jobs for a stables type place that had chickens, obviously they had a bit of room, but I reckon it's perfectly do able, particularly if your Mrs just wants a small number as you say as a pet interest, rather than thinking you'll make a profit on eggs. I'd say bantams would be the best choice going by the ones I've had dealings with, tho "rescued" ones would have a certain appeal...
Against the prevailing negatives, If you've got a space and can make a properly sturdy hen house I'd say go for it
ps, as with anything, good to do some research first, there's going to be loads of YouTube videos and stuff online generally

 

[rcx132]

paying out for a prefabricated plastic house and attached run from the likes of Omlet. Way easier to keep clear of the dreaded mite and other nasties, easy to move around and very quick and easy to clean properly which means it is more likely to be done properly.

You know this may be the time I go against the grain and go for the plastic pre-fab. They can be pressure washed, are rat proof, and have some neat features like pull out trays to control poop, food, mites and hygiene.

 

[Eric the chicken]

My other halves daughter kept three ex battery hens for some years in a suburban garden. The hens had free run in the garden during the day and were housed in the run at night. There were very minor issues with mice but definitely no rats. As mentioned there was a glut of eggs much of the time. The two cats which she had were not impressed as the chickens ambushed them frequently. I don't remember chicken poo being much of an issue. The chicken keeping came to a halt when a house move threw up a covenant or restriction on the deeds that forbade the keeping of chickens at the new house. This was mentioned earlier in this thread in another post.

 

[rcx132]

My other halves daughter kept three ex battery hens for some years in a suburban garden. The hens had free run in the garden during the day and were housed in the run at night. There were very minor issues with mice but definitely no rats. As mentioned there was a glut of eggs much of the time. The two cats which she had were not impressed as the chickens ambushed them frequently. I don't remember chicken poo being much of an issue. The chicken keeping came to a halt when a house move threw up a covenant or restriction on the deeds that forbade the keeping of chickens at the new house. This was mentioned earlier in this thread in another post.

Did the council or someone try to enforce the covenant?

 

[Eric the chicken]

Did the council or someone try to enforce the covenant?

No, the daughter found the covenant when she was checking things at the search stage of the purchase and decided to pass the chickens over to one of her friends who had expressed an interest. To be fair I think that her and her husband had wrung the maximum fun out of poultry and it was a good time to quit. They have since moved again to a larger place with room for more chickens but no sign of any rekindling of interest.

 

[Bobtail4x4]

we have had chucks for years, would not be without a few,
currently down to 3 tame ones

try a proper egg from a free range chicken, you will never want a shop egg again,

 

[MattF]

are rat proof,

Nothing is rat proof.

 

[brightspark]

Nothing is rat proof.

a mk 4 fentrap

 

[8ob]

Top tip. Love your chickens more than a fox does.

Bob

 

[owas]

I've got a few ..
They have a 3x3m run (for lockdown) and have the rest of garden most the time ..

I like them and don't care about the garden.

 

[Barking Mat]

I've got a few ..
They have a 3x3m run (for lockdown) and have the rest of garden most the time ..

I like them and don't care about the garden.

View attachment 407074View attachment 407075

View attachment 407077

No, not in the house, the ducks would sh#t everywhere, learnt that one.

And I question that chickens taste in music, frankly.

 

[owas]

No, not in the house, the ducks would sh#t everywhere, learnt that one.

And I question that chickens taste in music, frankly.

They all come running to the back door soon as you open it, never pooped inside

 

[Barking Mat]

They all come running to the back door soon as you open it, never pooped inside

View attachment 407079

lucky sod.

 

[Richiew]

And I question that chickens taste in music, frankly.

It's just grateful that it's not a Turkey.

 

[Barking Mat]

It's just grateful that it's not a Turkey.

Awesome response, considering photo context.

Ten points.

 

[Erie Fred]

No, not in the house, the ducks would sh#t everywhere, learnt that one.

And I question that chickens taste in music, frankly.

Here's their favorite song.....: