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[abwsco]

The ones that really wind me up are those who just see them as the latest "trendy must have item for the garden". They take so much commitment and live for a considerable time and they deserve so much more than being bought on a whim

 

Yes, it's a bit like the latest designer handbag isn't it

[missuscluck]

Just caught up with the chicken forum thread Jue. I see what you mean.

I think we all realise that most folks think very carefully about keeping pets and livestock. There is just the odd few

[Olly]

The thing is, I DO think chickens are easy to look after! So to that extent, abwsco, I don't think the Omlet website is deceptive.

 

Hen parties weren't running when I got my first Eglu, and I couldn't find a 'visit an Eglu' anywhere local, but I did lots of research before taking the plunge - including lurking on here, and emailing the marvellous Barbara to ask if it really was possible to keep chickens in a back-garden.

 

I was prepared for much more work than is actually involved - ok, I'm not the most fastidious chicken-keeper, I don't poo-pick daily but my girls have never complained!

 

I reckon I spend more time feeding and cleaning up after one pet cat, on the whole, than I do my chooks.

[chickenanne]

Chickens are easy to look after, but they do scratch about, make dust-baths in flower beds, nip flower buds off plants, poo all over the place, bok when they lay, risk of attracting vermin, etc etc

There's been so much rose-tinted-glasses reviews of chicken keeping that I do think people can be quite niave about it. And I do think that modern-looking, small, aimed-at-suburban-gardens chicken coops fill that market and the marketing will fuel that view.

BUT that's unavoidable, not down to Omlet or any other coop manufacturer. AND, of course this isn't true of everyone who keeps chickens in a back garden (e.g. me!)

[frenchtoast]

Does anyone think keeping chickens could also be hormonal for some of us??

I'd be interested in the stats of women, city-chicken owners. I'm guessing 2 main categories: 1 - with small brood of bouncy primary school kids in posh wellies. 2 - the peri-menopausal with own diminishing egg supply! Sadly I can only claim to belong to one of these and wish I belonged to the other!

ps Isn't it amazing that 3 fluffy, devoted pets provide family and friends with such an incredible luxury - fresh, organic, free range eggs?

All pets need love and care but pragmatically, chickens have to be near the top of the list of best pets whether it's a yuppy trend or not .

[jomaxsmith]

Does anyone think keeping chickens could also be hormonal for some of us?? Laughing

I'd be interested in the stats of women, city-chicken owners. I'm guessing 2 main categories: 1 - with small brood of bouncy primary school kids in posh wellies. 2 - the peri-menopausal with own diminishing egg supply! Sadly I can only claim to belong to one of these and wish I belonged to the other!

 

I'm a 1 - got the chooks because hubby thought it would stop me going on about having another baby (not really, but sort of!!) o posh wellies though here - anything with Spiderman on that come from Asda!

 

Jo

[Olly]

 

I'm definitely in group 2! However, I don't think it's hormonal - I really want a small-holding but have to make do with a back garden.

[Tessa the Duchess]

Can we have a category 3 please? Post menopausal, nary an egg left

I wanted chickens for years, but couldn't see me managing them with a full time job, was on my list of things to do when I stopped working. I've had chickens now for almost a year. Did loads of reading before I got them, but I don't think however much you read and research really prepares you for the way they decimate your grass and garden After six months re-jigged the garden, 'they' have their bit and we have our portion, all re-turfed and re-planted. Harmony prevails

 

Tessa

[Tina C]

I am kind of both but looking forward to category 3...

 

No designer wellies in sight though.

[Reikiranf]

I probably did rush in to getting my girls in the wake of the Hugh & Jamie programes But we love them to bits & wouldn't be without them, I must admit that I tend to be a worrier so had I done too much research I'd probably have talked myself out of it. I did read lots of advice on the forum & asked a few questions too, I think that also helped convince me that if any problems did arise there's a wealth of good advice & help on this forum.

 

Yes, they've eaten my strawberries, stripped the alstromeria, aquilegias and a few fuschias bare and they kick bark chippings all over the grass but I don't care There are plenty of other plants to look at and the bark is easily swept back. we spend as much time in the garden with them as possible and they never cease to amuse us My biggest problem now is whether to have a holiday if the chance arises as I'm not sure I can trust anyone to look after my precious girls & my lovely 16 year old cat who need tablets twice a day

[MedusA]

I'm in Tessa's category 3.

 

I did a lot of research and lurked on the forum for several months before ordering my eglu and 2 chickens. I decided after a garden-less summer last year that I wasn't going to allow them complete free-rein, hence we now have the walk-in run with the odd ramble around the garden. They seem happy enough, bless them and I don't blame anybody else for my rose-tinted glasses getting broken. I love my girls to bits and can never imagine a future life without hens in the garden.

[Ms Marple]

Does anyone think keeping chickens could also be hormonal for some of us?? Laughing

I'd be interested in the stats of women, city-chicken owners. I'm guessing 2 main categories: 1 - with small brood of bouncy primary school kids in posh wellies. 2 - the peri-menopausal with own diminishing egg supply!

Sadly I can only claim to belong to one of these and wish I belonged to the other! I have to agree. I have been around this forum without joining for almost a year, but I have read and read about them. In fact I was given a book on chicken-keeping when I left my previous job a year ago. I too belong to category 2 with one close to 'flying the nest'.

Edited July 15, 2008 by Guest

[Lapinou]

I can't speak for anyone else but before we got our girls, I did tons of research on the web and asked loads of questions of experienced chicken keepers before finally making the decision to get the girls.

 

Yes, they're a bit messy but we were prepared for that and deal with it accordingly.

 

IMO, it's disgraceful to rehome an animal because it makes a bit of mess, if you'd done your research properly then you'd have known what to expect.

 

I couldn't agree with this more. We researched chickens and planned hopefully while we saved, for a good couple of years. If you want a pet that doesn't poo much, get a snake! If you can't cope with a bit of poo in your garden, then don't have a pet in your garden - chicken/dog/whatever! Animals poo - it's a fact of life, and, quite frankly, I'd rather have chiken poo than the horrid cat poo our neighbours' cats leave for us

[Lapinou]

Does anyone think keeping chickens could also be hormonal for some of us??

I'd be interested in the stats of women, city-chicken owners. I'm guessing 2 main categories: 1 - with small brood of bouncy primary school kids in posh wellies. 2 - the peri-menopausal with own diminishing egg supply! .

 

Well I belong to 3. (and I know a few others who do too!) slightly hippy mum (and/or dad) who wants his/her children to grow up with *family* pets and learn about caring for animals together - this breed also tend to grow veg and may well also home educate too

[frenchtoast]

Sounds idyllic Lapinlou! And a new baby on the way too. Very best wishes for the birth- not long to go!

[Lapinou]

Sounds idyllic Lapinlou! And a new baby on the way too. Very best wishes for the birth- not long to go!

 

Iydillic? sounds it, I suppose, but chaotic is probably a more accurate description though Very good fun as well

[..lay a little egg for me]

Don't know if I qualify as am not a city-chicken keeper, but definitely category 2... do have a child at primary school but no posh wellies here

[dancing cloud]

Definitely a 2 and more suburban than city - a rusty ancient car and no designer wellies.

 

I'd been thinking of keeping hens for a while and I can't really remember what set me off doing proper research, or whether I found the Cube or the ex-batts first. It was definitely the prospect of offering a home to ex-batts that decided it. I'm not sure I'd have gone for it if there had only been 'normal' hens about.

 

As I'm not much of a TV watcher or magazine reader, I'd not really picked up on the whole HFW/JO thing until I tried to order my Cube and couldn't have one for two whole months I also discovered there was a waiting list for ex-batts. Although disappointing, this gave me loads of time to really read the BHWT website, visit people with hens and Cubes and find this forum. Waiting is sometimes not a bad thing .

 

Like many other people, I was reared to believe once you take on a pet it's yours for life and I agree this is the message children should be given but, let's face it, most of the people acquiring chickens are not children! Let's hope the fashion soon passes and not too much harm is done.

 

Yes, my hens can be noisy and yes, they have 'redesigned' my garden, but it will always make me smile to see my former oven-readies race up the garden to greet me just because they can

[redoscar]

Hi

 

I'm new to this forum, just signed up but have been lurking for a while.

 

I too researched for months before getting chickens, read everything I could and spent hours on the forums( never watched the Jamie Oliver or HFW stuff so can't blame them), but nothing and I mean NOTHING could have prepared me for the reality We got our 4 girls 2 weeks ago and although I new they would poo a fair bit I didn't realise how much! I feel that I spend so much time cleaning up!On more than 1 occasion I felt that I had made a huge mistake and if I'm honest I'm still not sure if I'm cut out to be a chicken keeper but saying all of that (and I'm just trying to be honest) we are all falling in love with our girls ( especially my 17 year old son!), they are sooo funny and are becoming extremely friendly but I wish I had known the amount of work thats involved in caring for them as its not as easy as I was sometimes led to believe I also have a dog so I am used to taking care of animals but I find the dogs needs alot easier to see to than the chickens. Maybe its just me

[Paola]

Hi Redoscar, welcome to the forum I have felt the same with all of the animals I have ever had Even with lots of homework you still feel maybe a little out of depth in the early days of ownership. However I have had chickens now for 3 years and I feel that they are by far the easiest pets I have ever had Hang in there

[Looney]

Not sure which category I fit. I wanted chickens for years before we actually got them. I used to feed the neighbour's chickens when I was little, having spent hours digging worms out of the garden first (much to the annoyance of my mother )

 

I had to wait until we were settled with our own place and garden but I kept telling OH that once we had our own garden I would be getting chickens. I don't think he really believed me In the meantime I did plenty of reading up and dreaming about one day owning a couple of chicklies.

[Janty]

Hi

 

I'm new to this forum, just signed up but have been lurking for a while.

 

I too researched for months before getting chickens, read everything I could and spent hours on the forums( never watched the Jamie Oliver or HFW stuff so can't blame them), but nothing and I mean NOTHING could have prepared me for the reality We got our 4 girls 2 weeks ago and although I new they would poo a fair bit I didn't realise how much! I feel that I spend so much time cleaning up!On more than 1 occasion I felt that I had made a huge mistake and if I'm honest I'm still not sure if I'm cut out to be a chicken keeper but saying all of that (and I'm just trying to be honest) we are all falling in love with our girls ( especially my 17 year old son!), they are sooo funny and are becoming extremely friendly but I wish I had known the amount of work thats involved in caring for them as its not as easy as I was sometimes led to believe I also have a dog so I am used to taking care of animals but I find the dogs needs alot easier to see to than the chickens. Maybe its just me

 

I think everybody feels chicken keeping a bit daunting during the first few weeks. I had wanted some hens since I was little and I had liked the eglus when they were first advertised in hubby's gardening magazines when the mark 1s came out. We put it off and put it off, still buying the magazines for the chicken articles and reading forums but by the time we had made the decision to get some girls, the cube had come out. On the day we collected our girls, I was petrified. I hadn't ever held a chicken before. Karen at Merrydale Poultry was so patient with me and just let me take my time in choosing the right girls. I then worried about looking after them properly. I had bought a chicken health handbook and nearly scared myself to death every time they sneezed, coughed or whatever. You'll soon get used to them and they will become part of the family. They can be hard work but they are also so funny. My smallest pekin puffed herself up into a ball yesterday and chased Fat Sausage, my cat out of the garden. She then strutted about as if to say,'Look at what I've just done. I'm so clever.' It's moments like that that make chickens the best pets ever (sorry Sausage).

[redoscar]

Hi Redoscar, welcome to the forum I have felt the same with all of the animals I have ever had Even with lots of homework you still feel maybe a little out of depth in the early days of ownership. However I have had chickens now for 3 years and I feel that they are by far the easiest pets I have ever had Hang in there

 

Hi Paola

 

Thanks for that Yes you are totally right, I felt the same way after we got our pup about 16 months ago. I wondered what I had took on! all the house training etc But now I love him to bits, he's the most lovliest dog, very friendly and so well behaved around the house, we don't even know he's there half the time now if I could just get him to be the same around the chickens Like you say it's early days and I think once you get into a routine etc it doesn't seem such a chore and you don't think about it and just start to enjoy the chickens, the same as I don't think about cleaning up after the dog and the walking, feeding, bathing, brushing.......... come to think of it a dog IS harder work than a chicken

[Hen Watch]

IMO chickens are easy to keep. Easiest pet I've ever had. I've found this forum vital to discuss issues as you can't just pop into any old vet with a question as you can with a cat/dog. So a bit of responsibility there.

 

Do you think rehoming request are more of an urban thing or not? I live on an estate but luckily have a large garden so noise and smell etc are all that much further away from the neighbours than in a small setting. But then on the other hand chickens only need a small area and lots of people on this forum have just that set up, but then I think "live and let live" understanding neighbours are the key.

 

My neighbours are great by the way, but even I rush out if the chooks all start up an alarm call bok bok for 10 mins. It's infrequent but when it happens it is so loud and I guess something you "tune into" as the sound is unusual. Barking dogs, loud cars are more usual to hear and so I think people tune out or put up with it. Noise/smell might give a neighbours ammunition to complain and I wonder if this causes pressure to get rid of chooks.

 

You can't really investigate that before they arrive. I also wonder if bird flu hype/fear plays a part too in neighbours complaining quickly.

 

My research into chook keeping was soley based on reading this forum for 6 weeks before they arrived. Very useful indeed but still nothing prepares you completely until they arrive.

[Lynn]

If I could just add my bit. We rehomed our girls very recently through this Forum (thank you Janty!). It wasn't a decision that we took lightly. We had the girls for over 10 months and had thoroughly researched months before we got the girls the pros and cons of having them. The cons of course lived up to expectations! The inordinate amount of poo everywhere, the virtually destroyed vegetable patch and of course, the lawn....

 

However, what you can't research for is very unreasonable neighbours. Despite having asked them directly if they objected and them saying no, shortly after the girls arrival our relationship with our neighbour turned exceptionally nasty. We did have problems previously with them over our cats. It seems it is only our cats that poo in their garden as the other 14 cats who live in close proximity don't!!

 

So, for at least the last eight months Nick and I have been subjected to verbal abuse, food and bottles being thrown into our garden, indirect abuse from them when we've been in our garden. It just became unbearable. Other neighbours and friends told us to let it go over our heads, but when you are dealing with this day and night, it really becomes intolerable.

 

It was a painful and hurtful decision to rehome our girls and the welfare of the girls was at the forefront of our minds. Things had got so bad that Nick and I truly wondered if these neighbours would harm the girls when we were out at work during the week - it really did become that bad.

 

So, I suppose what I am saying is, no matter how much research you do, sometimes it just isn't possible to keep chickens, no matter how hard you try.