Natwill Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I live in a flat with 40 foot walled back garden and would love to get some ex Bats and an eglu but wondering if it is a good enviroment, also will the neighbours complain etc any advice welcome thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerbluebadger Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I live in the Kent/London border and have a small garden. My girls are very happy! I checked with the flats around me first before getting the chickens and also checked my deeds and checked with the council - no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I live in London and keep chickens, no problems at all. Do the checks as mentioned above, and if all is well, go ahead and get some ex-batts and enjoy! Go to the BHWT website if you want to find out where your nearest rescue area is, phone them up and get on the waiting list Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Welcome to the forum Natwill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Welcome to Omlet I live in Chessington. Only got my girls this week so not sure about whether the neighbours will complain. My girls are very quiet, the noisiest they get is when I pop some corn into their run, then there is some lovely gentle bok bok bok's I would do the checks as suggested and if there is no reason why you can't or shouldn't go for it. Arm yourself with info though, in case anyone has concerns. Most people I have spoken to have said 'oh you will get rats' to which I reply that there is no more risk of them with my chickens than there is with the neighbour over the road who puts catfood down for the hedghogs everynight, or the neighbour who puts out birdfood for the wild birds and then I explain that I will keep the food securely in a pest resistant container, not over feed the girls and make visual checks and remain vigilant. This normally puts things into perspective for them and reassures them Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerbluebadger Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Most people worry about the following:- Noise - you get a bok bok for food and when laying their eggs - mine made a little noise the first day as they were getting used to their new home - nothing louder than a small dog barking. Rats - bring your food in at night and keep your main food supply in a metal bin = no rats Smell - Chickens don't really smell as long has they are cleaned on a regular basis. Also you can use garlic power in their food to reduce the smell. Escaping - make sure around your garden everything is fenced up - one to stop the girls going into a neighbour’s garden and eating their prized plants or veg and two to make sure Mr Fox has a harder time to get in. I still only allow the girls out free ranging when I am their to keep an eye on them as there are lots of foxes in the area and I have seen one looking at the girls in the run in broad day light. Council - I went on to my council's website and sent an e-mail to the environmental health department - stating I was getting to hens not cockerels and they sent me back an e-mail and they were fine. Also checked though my deeds just in case. Last of all I printed some pictures of the and the girls and showed them to my neighbours - I have to say they all liked the idea after I explained all of the above to them and offered them eggs. In fact I went away this Christmas the neighbours were all offering to look after the girls in order to get the eggs. P.s you will love them and I now wish I had got them years ago as they are no work at all and you get the best tasting eggs ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Womblechick Posted January 1, 2009 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I live in Sutton - we checked deeds/councils etc. All fine - neighbours love them. We just have to be careful of foxes. Bluebelle Rosie Daisy Toffee Fudge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I live in the middle of a crowded estate in zone 1 and we have 12 chooks in the (not huge) back garden. Most of my neighbours didn't notice. The ones who did think that it's lovely. The miserable so-and-so who complains about everything complained to the council when he noticed (some two years later) and they came round, complimented us on the eglu and left. End of that. It's been brilliant for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
