*Jasmine* Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hello, I'm new here and looking for some advice. I've always wanted chickens but thought you needed a big farm to be able to keep them! We have a small garden and I'm now considering an Eglu and 2 or 3 chickens, mainly as interesting pets for us and our 3 kids, but any eggs would be nice too! My OH has some concerns though - he thinks we will attract loads of foxes and cats to the garden! I'm also worried about our neighbours - I have a feeling they will think they will be smelly & noisy and attract rats. I'm wondering how true any of this is? I've never seen any foxes round this way, though of course that doesn't mean there aren't any about! Are foxes frequent visitors to your garden if you have chickens? What about rats & flies? What do your neighbours think? I'd really love to keep them - I just need to reassure oh it's not going to be a big problem! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweecy Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 If you look around the forum, you will find loads of advice, but initial thoughts are that you will always have to assume there is a fox around, because chances are there will be even if you haven't seen one! Cats aren't usually a problem, rats can be as they will be attracted to any food source. It's best to bring food in a night and clean up any spillages. Have a chat with your neighbours and reassure them that you will be having hens, and not cockerels, as hens don't make such a racket. Tell the neighbours that they are welcome to come and see the hens and have a few eggs when you have spare ones, you could even ask the neighbours if they have any ideas for names etc. I think if you involve neighbours in the venture you are less likely to receive complaints. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 No experience of foxes or rats (at least not so far) but we used to have loads of cats coming in and out of our garden (1 in particular was taking sometimes 2 or 3 wild birds a day ). Since we got our girls the closest I've seen any of the neighbors cats is on top of the garden wall looking scared witless! There has certainly been a noticeable reduction in 'deposits' on the lawn - although the chickens more than make up for that (maybe don't mention that to the OH!) I guess it depends on how brave your local felines are, but if you don't already have a problem with visiting cats I'd be surprised if getting chickens creates one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 I wouldn't worry about cats. But foxes, well, if there are some around then yes, they will visit you more frequently if you've chickens. But this isn't necessarily a huge problem so long as you keep them secure. A freind of mine gets loads of foxes passing through her garden (no chickens) and she does curse the mess they make. But TBH chickens make more mess, so.... As to rats and mice etc, if the food is brought in at night (when chickens are sleeping) then shouldn't be an issue because in the run the chickens would be quite aggressive toward anything like that. As to noise - well, admittedly mine are pretty noisy when they want to be let out to play (and when they've just layed an egg); this doens't go on for ages though. But I guess it depends on your neighbours as to how they'd feel about that. Smell - not an issue at all, if you keep the house and run clean then there's no real problem with either smell or flies. How about speaking to neighbours? You might find that with a bit of reassurance they don't mind, and everyone feels better about something they've had some say in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 I don't think cats would be a problem, you'd have to watch out when they free ranging though for foxes and cats just in case. We fortunate, we not had any foxes around here yet, but we still have to keep eye out just in case. Chickens are the best pet we've ever had and we only have a small garden. We've got 3. Have you thought about attending one of the hen parties in your area to put your mind at rest and provide you with more information? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hello, WELCOME! I'm new here and looking for some advice. I've always wanted chickens but thought you needed a big farm to be able to keep them! You don't need a farm, just your back garden! We have a small garden and I'm now considering an Eglu and 2 or 3 chickens, mainly as interesting pets for us and our 3 kids, but any eggs would be nice too! They will be the best eggs you've ever tasted My OH has some concerns though - he thinks we will attract loads of foxes and cats to the garden! I'm also worried about our neighbours - I have a feeling they will think they will be smelly & noisy and attract rats. We back onto fields and we know we have foxes, but in 18 months we've never had a fox problem. We have a cat and he's not the slightest bit interested and we've had no increase in local moggy activity. You can take steps to minimise smells adding stuff to their food and putting them on paving slabs so you can hose them down occasionally. We've got 15 hens and 7 more due and we don't smell And although individual hens vary, generally there is little noise. Certainly less than three children, plus it tends generally to be intermittent, to let you know about a threat, or to announce an egg - and that's a GREAT noise! You may also find, if your neighbours are generally OK, that they become MORE friendly in the hope of a free range egg or two! I'm wondering how true any of this is? I've never seen any foxes round this way, though of course that doesn't mean there aren't any about! Are foxes frequent visitors to your garden if you have chickens? What about rats & flies? What do your neighbours think? I'd really love to keep them - I just need to reassure oh it's not going to be a big problem! Have a look on the visit an eglu thread, there may be someone near you who you can go and see, take OH and the kids and see for yourself (get your cheque book out though because you'll be placing an order as soon as you get home Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jools+6 Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 go for it ! fifteen years it took me to talk hubby into it . even on the day we got them he was very anti "hope you know what the h**l your doing " etc . the girls were here for all of 24 hours before they were his hens !!!! thought last week he was going to put them in cages and shine bright lights on them with the amount of his hens eggs he promised folk !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi there. You are asking all the right questions and you'll find different experiences from different hen owners (for example I've had noise problems but no flies). I think it is safe to assume all hens are at risk of foxes, even if you haven't seen them around. It might be a good idea to go to one of the Omlet hen parties. You'll see what it's all about and get to ask all these questions and more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Watch out - we chook-keepers get a little evangelical! Chooks are just fantastic pets! i've never met anyone who keeps hens who hasn't done her best to persuade others to have them too. Hang out here for a couple of days and we'll convince you that it is not only a good idea to get some hens but in fact essential. I'm glad you've come to the site. The FAQ section is really useful here, everyone is so very friendly on the forum and dead helpful. If there is anyone local to you who keeps chickens, it can be really useful to visit. is that possible for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Welcome aboard. Go for it! Can't add anything to what everyone else says. As long as you are vigilant the fox shouldn't be too great a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Two of my neighbours say they like the sound of my chickens (they don't make too much noise, so don't get the wrong impression, about 5-10 minutes loud clucking a day when they lay an egg or get spooked by the wind). We live by the sea and some days can't hear ourselves think for seagulls!!!! And then there is another neighbour's dog auditioning for the next Hound of the Baskerville's movie! Get chickens, you won't regret it! The children will love them, the eggs are fab, if you haven't got rats now then chickens won't attract them unless you spill food all over the place, neither they nor their run smells, and they are worth their weight in gold for the entertainment value. If you do get them the perceived wisdom is to get 3, so if one dies you don't have a lonely chicken. This forum is so good for answering everything there is to know about hen keeping, the people are friendly and the advice is un-biased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGirl Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi All I can say is, a week into chicken ownership and I have never had so much fun with a pet We umm'd and ahh'd over getting them for a while, partially because we went to see a breeder who really worried us and put us off the way he had his chooks, but after going to a hen party, reading this forum and finally finding a breeder I felt I could trust it has all come out well in the end Plus, this forum is great for questions from us newbies I did do loads of research, to make sure I felt well prepared but actually the biggest surprise has been how much time I spend watching them and talking to them, plus how friendly they are. I was worried about a monster of a cat next door, but I havent seen him in the garden since the girls arrived, think he must be scared of them, and I have done everything I can for fox proofing. Counting down the weeks to my first egg now Hope you join us and experience the fun too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Jasmine* Posted September 8, 2008 Author Share Posted September 8, 2008 Many thanks for all your replies. I'm more determined now than ever to get some (and have loads more questions!)! We do have a cat problem at the moment (ruined my small veg plot ), so oh seems to think any chickens will attract more cats to the area, but from what I've read, I think they might scare them away! I am worried about the possibility of attracting foxes to the area. Obviously we would fox proof our chickens as much as we could, but I have visions of foxes jumping through the neighbours gardens every night - not sure they would appreciate that! We live in a large town - our garden backs onto a busy main road - across the road there are industrial units (I saw a fox at the fence there once about 4 years ago, though never since then, but I'm sure they're about). We live in a terrace of 4 houses (one of the middle ones) and our gardens are about 8m x 6m, separated byfences about 1m tall. If foxes are about, do they come every night? Are my neighbours going to be cursing me?? As far as I'm aware, we don't have any rats (though have seen a field mouse in the winter months sneaking about eating all the leftover birdfood that was about!). We would need to permanently site the eglu & run as there is no room in the garden to move it about. I'm thinking of slabbing an area and putting it on there with wood chips - would this be ok and better deter a digging fox, or is it better just to site it on bare earth with wood chips? As the run wouldn't be moved about, would this area start to smell (it's going to be next to my neighbours fence)? Also, if I put food s"Ooops, word censored!"s in there for the chickens, would this attract rats? Am I best sticking to pelleted food and empying the feeders at night? I'd like to have room to make a bigger run for them, but at the moment it's not possible. Everyone has suggested 3 chickens instead of 2 incase one dies, but would 3 really be happy in the eglu run all day?? I could let them out into the main garden for an hour or two a day supervised, but I would worry about a fox getting them, or them escaping into the neighbours! It does look a bit small for 3! Also, could anyone recommend a breed? I'm not too worried about egg production - that's just a bonus. I'm looking for something that's quite friendly and likes being handled, and not too "pecky" and suitable for children! I'm in the central Scotland area, if that's relevent at all! Thanks for all your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Tarpey Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 We put a humanne rat trap aout just incase and have never had a problem with foxes Go for it you won't regret it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jools+6 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 i'm central scotland too !!!! i think they move the boundaries a bit !!! one meter fences are a bit dodgey if they are to freerange .... how close are you to troon ? that's where we are . also a few chook keepers around us , we are a wimpy estate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 go for it, like you took ages for me to convince hubby, and now hes worse than me, like pasta for tea hell shout ive put a bit extra on for the girls and eggs out this world they are fab. i mentioned to one neighbour i was getting them no problems, she has even told me she will go and stand at the bath room window and watches them and loves them having there ive laid a egg song for a few minutes each day. cats even mine avoid the chickens, rats we had one but that was sorted and no more. foxes we havent seen one here were live one but dont rule them out. and for kids they love it to see there faces with a chicken sat on them, or even one in the youngest doll pram whilst out playing is a picture, go for it put hubby on this board for a few hours to read and let the guys on here at him hell change his mind this forum is great lots of support and advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggypeggy Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Not a single regret, Love having the chooks, Doubly love the eggs.. I can really tell the difference between my eggs and shop bought now.. completely spoilt for eggs anywhere else! We have a smallish garden, with kids too. I would recomend sectioning off an area, as children and chicken poo aren't a great mix. You can do this once you have chickens, sometimes best to go for it and then work out what works best for you when they have settled in. We used to be the local cat motorway, since chooks arrived no more cats! they completely avoid our garden now. Can't give advise on Mr fox, we've been very lucky, mine are out all day. We're on the edge of a small town, lots of country side around, so no prob with the urban fox.. We just make sure they are in there run before it gets dusky. Just in case. Cleaning out is easy, I don't even mind doing that. Thought that was the thing I would hate the most. No signs of rats, just a few mice near the compost. Can live with that. We keep our chook food in a big bin. We've gone for hybrids. Love the eggs, two pepperpots and settling in a skyline (blue eggs, hopefully) and a silvernick.. (lovely temperment). Anyway, sorry for waffle. In short, go for it. Good luck with Hubby. V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Have you thought about getting bantams? If you are not getting chickens for the eggs, and are worried about keeping 3 normal-sized hens in the eglu run, 3 bantams would be fine. I have 4 Sebrights in my eglu and run + extension, and there is more than enough room for them. I have made them a perch and a dustbath too, and they seem to be very happy. They also make much less mess than my big girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dylan Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Hi Jasmine, I'm in a terraced house in Glasgow with similar size garden I think - you're welcome to visit if you want to see set up. We've had 3 chickens since July and are smitten! with 2 rabbits with 3 chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 How about bantams? They're smaller so need less space to be happy, and though the eggs are also smaller, three-a-day would by the sounds of it, be plenty for you. There are lots of breeders around the borders /edi way, worth getting Practical Poultry magazine which lists breeders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikplus Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I'm also worried about our neighbours - I have a feeling they will think they will be smelly & noisy and attract rats. I was initially worried what the neighbours would say, which is why I very carefully checked the deeds of the house to make sure there was nothing in there saying I couldn't keep livestock and also checked with the council's environmental health office to get permission. That way if there were any complaints I would already know where I stood. Fortunately, I needn't have bothered. The neighbours are all very excited by the chickens, and two other houses (opposite and next door) and thinking about getting some hens of their own, while the ones next door the other way can't wait for us to go on holiday so they can look after them for us for a few days. Chickens are fairly quiet so long as you don't get a cockerel, and if you clean them out regularly they barely smell at all. Nik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Chickens make me even if I'm feeling No regrets. All fantastic in chook land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Jasmine* Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 Yay! Dp has (reluctantly, with much eye-rolling!) agreed to the chickens!! I'm still a bit unsure what the neighbours will think. I'm sure they already think I'm a bit bonkers for growing some veg in pots! The only stumbling block I can see is the Housing Association - we have to write to them asking permission, and I think they send someone round to see exactly what we are planning to do. I'm hoping it will be ok, and they don't automatically say no, assuming rats & smells etc Thanks very much for all your help so far - I'm sure I'll be back with loads more questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Good luck with the Housing Association! I think I read on here that putting garlic powder in the chicken's food cuts down on the smelly poo situation Welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Welcome to the forum, Jasmine . Others have answered your questions but I'll add my tuppenceworth! We would need to permanently site the eglu & run as there is no room in the garden to move it about. I'm thinking of slabbing an area and putting it on there with wood chips - would this be ok and better deter a digging fox, or is it better just to site it on bare earth with wood chips? If you put your run on soil you can weigh down the skirt (the bit that sits on the ground round the run) with bricks or sleepers or slabs. This should prevent digging although I've not noticed many posts about digging foxes, they tend to get the hens while they're freeranging. As the run wouldn't be moved about, would this area start to smell (it's going to be next to my neighbours fence)? I've got an eglu and run plus converter on soil. I use Hemcore (soon to use Easibed as Hemcore's getting expensive). Horse bedding is ideal for chicken runs. I clean out the run every 6 weeks or so, raking off the top few inches for flowerbeds or compost bin. Sprinkle Stalosan F and garden lime down, new layer of bedding and you won't get smells at all! Also, if I put food s"Ooops, word censored!"s in there for the chickens, would this attract rats? Am I best sticking to pelleted food and empying the feeders at night? I remove the grub and glub every night and keep them in the kitchen. Any s"Ooops, word censored!"s I give the girls in a dog bowl and bring that in when it's empty. I'd like to have room to make a bigger run for them, but at the moment it's not possible. Everyone has suggested 3 chickens instead of 2 incase one dies, but would 3 really be happy in the eglu run all day?? I could let them out into the main garden for an hour or two a day supervised, but I would worry about a fox getting them, or them escaping into the neighbours! It does look a bit small for 3! Three hens really is best but you would be advised to get an extension on your run, especially if they're not going to freerange loads. Also, could anyone recommend a breed? I'm not too worried about egg production - that's just a bonus. I'm looking for something that's quite friendly and likes being handled, and not too "pecky" and suitable for children! Have a read through these threads but I bet you just end up choosing hens that look nice . http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10968&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=breeds+for+children+child+friendly http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26820&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=child+friendly I'm in the central Scotland area, if that's relevent at all! I got my girls from a farm near Longniddry, east of Edinburgh. Don't know if that's too far away for you. There's a nice chap on the west coast, can't remember his name but I'll try to find it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
