Single hen

[rarara]

I've done quite a bit of research on keeping chooks - i'm no expert by any means. Am I being totally naive?

I have a 2yr old son and one due in May. I'm think it'll take me at least a year to get these chooks.

I have concluded that chickens are the 'best' pet for me to keep ('cause lets face it i'm going to be keeping them). I really want my kids to have some sort of pet and I honest;y can't be bothered HAVING to pet and stroke some animal in order to keep it socialised (harsh I know). I know me however, and although this is something I will want to do more often than not I don't want ferral rabbits or guinea pigs (or whatever else). We are so not dog people and I couldn't handle a kitten scratching up my furniture (apart from the fact that I am allergic).

So I have vetoed many animals and seem to be left with fish and chickens and the chickens trump the fish!

 

So can I handle them? Can I really be a chicken owner and the parent of two children lol!

 

Don't get me started on the eglu/cube/wooden house debate. That's for another thread.

 

Thanks for listen to my late night rant

[BeckyBoo]

No probs, I've refused to go down the small soft furry route too. I have a dog, I have a cat, they're more like other children than pets and I feel I "get something from them" whereas I feel like it's totally "give" with guinea pigs and rabbits (waits for the daggers from the rabbit and guinea pig lovers!! ) But I'd say go for it with the chooks. My youngest was two when I got hens and he, and his older sisters love them to bits. And I can hand on heart say they are the easiest pets I have EVER looked after. They are funny, they look after themselves to a great extent, you needn't feel guilty if you don't give them loads of cuddles every day and one thing I will DEFINITELY say is well done you for being totally honest about what you want from a pet. That way you're only going to get something you want, rather than something you've been talked into or pressured into.

 

Why not visit some with your little one see what you think of them in the flesh so to speak, and the housing issue is personal choice. If you can afford it I'd say go for the Eglu, I've had wooden and plastic and the plastic are FAR easier to keep clean which will be a major factor if you've got weeny ones, and also, if you really hate it, they keep their value SO well you'll virtually make back what you paid if yo ucome to sell it.

 

Lots of love, good luck with bump!

 

BeckyBoo

[Willow]

I lean towards the naive thinking chickens are the answer tbh. The devastation chickens can do to a garden is greater than a kitten scratching furniture (unless my chickens are unusally destructive and my cats were perfect kittens )

 

Despite having to regularly wash my cats because I'm allergic they have got to be the easiest pet ever. No cleaning up and very easy to leave for a day or two with enough food.

 

Don't get me wrong I love keeping chickens, I plan to always keep chickens (and cats) and they are easier to keep than I thought they would be but I kinda think you have to want to keep chickens rather than a process of elimination.

 

I suggest you go through the posts of people offering chickens on the forum to get an idea why people have found chickens not to be the answer before making a final decision.

[Mazzarina]

It sounds like you're not naive at all - you've read up on it and are waiting rather than rushing into a decision. Good for you! I think they can be pretty straightforward animals to keep. The cleaning and feeding routines are simple and not hard-going, chickens are lovely animals, and they're a great way of helping children to understand where food comes from. All the very best of luck with it, if you decide to go ahead with getting some chickens! We got our chickens a few months ago, when expecting our first child (not much longer now), and I must say I'm looking forward to the fact that understanding about animals will be part of his childhood.

It was also entertaining to hear my dad quizzing a shop assistant about whether the insect netting for prams would also be chicken-proof...

 

Edited to add: I'm due in May too! Hope it's all going well for you.

[Hen Watch]

Can I really be a chicken owner and the parent of two children lol!

 

Yes. They are the easiest pet I have ever had. And fun too. My kids love them.

 

I have had my chooks for nearly 2 years. I don't cuddle them, or "pet" them but I know others on this forum do all the time. Personally I don't - I stroke them on their backs regularly but only when they come clucking round me. They are still friendly and tame. They follow me round the garden like dogs. I talk to them all the time and they eat out of my hand quite happily (in fact they will do anything for food). So you don't need to keep "petting" them to keep them sociable unlike some other animals.

 

However - you do need to know how to pick them up and hold them confidently though. It is essential for giving them the once over, checking for lice etc, or dusting them with louse powder. It only takes a few weeks to get to grips with that.

 

My children love the chooks but don't really help much (isn't that always the way ) but I have found maintenance very easy. Daily = Open eglu door at 7.30am, top up food and water before the school run (5mins tops). If at home I let them out to free range 10am ish and collect eggs. Shut them away in the run if I'm out or collecting kids from school. They put themselves to bed at dusk so all I do is shut the eglu door at night. If they've free ranged all day, I'll run round the garden with a bucket to collect poop from grass. But if if they have their own fenced free range area and you are pushed for time you don't need to do it daily. But it only takes a few mins. Weekly = empty poop tray. Monthly = powerwash eglu and roosting bars and change Auboise bedding on run floor. Takes 30-40mins (but I can stretch it out if I'm having fun).

 

I recomend going to visit an eglu owner and see for yourself. There is a section on the forum about that.

 

PS. Good luck with the pregnancy.

[prudance]

I've not had our chickens very long, but I'm loving keeping them more everyday. I let the chickens out to free range regularly with the kids (a 4 year old and a 2 year old). The kids love them. Possibly too much though. They love stroking, playing, and picking them up. Great for socialising the chickens but I think the kids were stressing them out too much. I've had to make new rules for the kids. and nearly every day I seem to have to make up a new rule! They're now not allowed to:

 

• Touch chickens (inlcudes stroking, hitting, picking up)
  Touch the run
  Crawl in the run
  Feed chickens food or non-food items
  Wash chickens
  Kick chickens
  Touch chickens with sticks
  Chase chickens on foot, bike, or with a pram
  Play with footballs near them

 

This seems very draconian, but I know the kids still have sneaky moments when they do do all these things, though I'm hoping that no longer includes hitting and kicking. I let them stroke and cuddle and feed them if I'm assisting. The rest of the time the golden rules stand! I now have much happier chickens and they don't run away when they see kids any more. The kids will often play along side them now and the chickens seem quite happy with this.

 

Note on looking after them. I'm generally feeling exhausted so really don't want extra work with looking after pets. But they are a dream apart from the poo on the patio! The little bit of maintenance that is required is almost a joy to do. Wish I'd got them sooner!

 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. And good luck with the kids.

[rarara]

Thanks everyone for your honest answers

I think chickens are for us

 

I lean towards the naive thinking chickens are the answer tbh. The devastation chickens can do to a garden is greater than a kitten scratching furniture (unless my chickens are unusally destructive and my cats were perfect kittens )

 

Despite having to regularly wash my cats because I'm allergic they have got to be the easiest pet ever. No cleaning up and very easy to leave for a day or two with enough food.

 

Don't get me wrong I love keeping chickens, I plan to always keep chickens (and cats) and they are easier to keep than I thought they would be but I kinda think you have to want to keep chickens rather than a process of elimination.

I suggest you go through the posts of people offering chickens on the forum to get an idea why people have found chickens not to be the answer before making a final decision.

 

Patricia you have raised some interesting points! As for the garden, well I have to 'improve' it in order for the chooks to be housed. So have little problem with chicken trashing an area of my garden. Granted I don't know the full extent of chook trashing but if you saw my garden lol! I'm really hoping that they may help me to instil some pride in my garden lol (wishful thinking). I've been looking into buying a compost bin (not sure what I'd use the compost for atm) But see they're already having a positive influence.

So destroying garden, fine. House, not so

 

I definately WANT to keep chickens. I can understand how my post might of sounded. But I soooooo want chickens (I dream about them ) You might call me obsessesd with chickens. I just don't want to let them down iykwim? I know what I don't want, well I'd love rabbits etc but am more likely to not 'do them proud' iykwim?

I just want to be realistic and I think the length of time it's going to take me to get ready will test my 'need'.

I'm taking this VERY seriously, may be too seriously?

 

I will take up your suggestion and have already been looking through old posts.

 

Thanks again everyone for your comments as they give me hope lol! I really want to keep chickens but I want them to have a happy life (and want to make sure I can give it to them).

 

I do love this forum

Congrats Mazzarina on your pregnancy! When are you due? i'm 12th.

[Mazzarina]

That's great - another chicken enthusiast in the making! I dream about chickens too - it doesn't stop when you've got them.

I'm due the 17th: all very exciting! Hope your's is going well. Do you know whether it's a boy or a girl? Our's is a boy, and quite a lively one at that. Chicken-watching's a great activity at the moment for me - doesn't take any energy, and the fresh air's good for the health. My garden's a complete state and I like using the chickens as an excuse not to bother: they pull stuff all over the lawn, but if you rake it off they think it's all part of a game, and pull it back again...

[rarara]

That's great - another chicken enthusiast in the making! I dream about chickens too - it doesn't stop when you've got them.

I'm due the 17th: all very exciting! Hope your's is going well. Do you know whether it's a boy or a girl? Our's is a boy, and quite a lively one at that. Chicken-watching's a great activity at the moment for me - doesn't take any energy, and the fresh air's good for the health. My garden's a complete state and I like using the chickens as an excuse not to bother: they pull stuff all over the lawn, but if you rake it off they think it's all part of a game, and pull it back again...

 

I'm telling you! Blame Ygerna I didn't even know you could keep chickens as pets until recently. Best thing that ever happened to me

We don't know what we're having, decided to opt for a suprise. I've got a sneaky feeling we're having another boy

I wish I had some chickens to watch lol! Or at least my ds could watch. I think he'll love them when they finally get here.

Although Prudence, looks like you've got some good rules there. I may be pinching a few.

I've started a chicken fund and have even given up the wii I was going to buy.

Wish me luck!!!

[splodge88]

Sounds exciting

I had a weird dream about a white chicken in a library last night...

Good luck with your chickens ! They're amaxing pets!

(p.s. they will trash your garden more than you think they will but you'll still love them )

[rarara]

Sounds exciting

I had a weird dream about a white chicken in a library last night...

Good luck with your chickens ! They're amaxing pets!

(p.s. they will trash your garden more than you think they will but you'll still love them )

 

Lol, more about the dream please

 

I think i may start a new thread: Show me your trashed gardens!!

I'm hoping i'll still love them

[BarbaraJ]

after a year the bottom half is fine the top a little muddy from all the rain and building the run extension

[PurpleTree]

I've got a 4yr old and 2yr old, both boys. When we first got the chickens in October they were both curious, and my 4yr old wanted to come out and help. Now they've got used to them being there he's not that interested, but I've found he's not that interested in animals of any sort. My 2yr old likes to watch them and they sometimes follow him around the garden. Neither of them have really tried to pick them up yet.

 

It will be interesting to see what happens as the weather improves and the children spend more time in the garden. It's not huge and I don't want the chickens to get hit by a football, or the boys to get covered in chicken poo. Regular poo picking I guess.

 

My chickens haven't wrecked my garden yet, but none of the plants in pots have any leaves left. Where do you live rarara? Have a look at my blog there's quite a few pics of chickens and my garden.

[Willow]

rarara wrote

I definately WANT to keep chickens. I can understand how my post might of sounded. But I soooooo want chickens (I dream about them ) You might call me obsessesd with chickens. I just don't want to let them down iykwim?

 

Now that is different ! If you really *want* chickens then yes you can do it with children.

[Cyber Chook]

Hi, many congrats on the impending baby!

 

Now, I hesitate to say anything, because I don't want to seem negative, but I guess everyone's experience is going to be different, and that's what you were asking for really, people's experiences. I don't want to dampen your henthusiasm, but I also think it might be helpful to have another opinion in the mix.

 

So anyway, what I wanted to say is that when I got my girls I had some health issues which affected my energy levels, and also arm strength (cancer treatments, and then I broke both elbows!! ). I love my chickens, I love keeping chickens, it's made me stronger and healthier, and they're interesting, fun and funny, BUT, my experience hasn't been that they're the easiest of animals to keep.

I started with a Cube and run, then expanded to a run extension, which i found hard to clean out because the chooks kicked the Hemcore to the back, right under the Cube. So after much soul- and savings account-searching, I decided to have a walk-in run built, and it's much, much better now.

 

But the Big Clean, once a month or so, does take me longer than the 30-40 mins mentioned here, more like an hour or two, by the time I've shovelled out the Hemcore, washed the slabs down with Poultry Shield + water, sprinkled pink powder (name??) down and bunged a nice layer of Hemcore on, washed out the Glug and Grub, and inside the Cube, the roosting bars etc. In fact I generally break it down over 2 or 3 days.

 

But I was thinking that with a new baby on the way, you might be a bit busy , and shattered, and I would just caution perhaps not to underestimate how much work chooks can be, particularly to start with, until you've got yourself a bit sorted out with a routine and what works and what doesn't.

 

I don't want to put you off. This has been how I found it, and most other people seem to have found it easier than I did. I wouldn't be without them, but when your energy and time is quite limited, I think it can be quite a challenge

 

Best of luck

 

Caroline

[fluffyknickers]

I dreamt AGAIN of chickens last night, before I got them it was about having chickens and now I dream most nights of them laying!!!

 

Anyway!....I have a 4 year old (at school all day) and a two year old girl. I also now have a cube and three chickens.

 

I really enjoy them and if I am not at work I do go out there and have a tidy round and pooh pick every day (they sleep in the nest which is now full of pooh).

 

I am not sure if I could have coped with having a new baby and a two year old and chickens - but that all comes down to what sort of person you are as I had C sections and wouldnt have been out in the garden sorting out chickens and bending down, changing bedding, filling up food, shutting and opening door each day etc.

 

You still need to handle them and most days I pick up each one in turn. This is important as you will need to check them over and if like mine they dont want to go home after free ranging I have to pick them up and put them in.

 

I also would have struggled without help from my other hald in preparing the ground and setting up the area however he has little to do with the day to day ruinning of it as agreed it would be my job if I wanted them.

 

Best thing is to spend some time visiting people with cubes/chickens/eglu and seeing what you think - helped me make my decision.

 

Good luck with everything - its all very exciting.

x

[rarara]

Cyber chook and Mazzyc, you make some valid points! It's true I don't even know how I shall cope with two kids (wish me luck ) However, I i'm estimating it'll be *at least* a year before I'm physically, let alone mentally able to house and care for the chooks so no rushing in here.

I'm hoping to do a chook keeping course to get some idea of what will be expected of me. I'll also keep reading and asking questions

It's good to hear all sides of the argument.

[prudance]

It's fine with two kids - I've got loads of time now that I've given up on housework conpletely! Our is nice and clean though

[rarara]

It's fine with two kids - I've got loads of time now that I've given up on housework conpletely! Our is nice and clean though

lol!

[Chickvic]

It's fine with two kids - I've got loads of time now that I've given up on housework conpletely! Our is nice and clean though

 

That is so true!

 

Note from DH, how can you give up something you never did

[Cyber Chook]

I've got loads of time now that I've given up on housework conpletely! Our is nice and clean though

 

That's obviously where I've been going wrong.

 

Maybe we should move in to the Cube, and give the chooks the run of the house

[Ygerna]

Hi Rarara *waves*

 

I have THREE children, my eldest turned 5 this week, and my youngest is just coming up to 9 months, in the middle we have a 2.5 yr old.

 

I have 8 chickens, and a cat. Oh, and an Allotment too.

 

I cope well with the chickens I think. I love my chickens. I have spent just under two hours this morning cleaning out the Eglu and the Cube and totally enjoyed it. The Eglu is going to be sold soon, so it will be just the Cube to do, which will make it less time to do it.

 

I think you are right to ask these questions, especially if you have had no previous experience with chickens but, I would still recomend them as pets because in my opinion they are no more trouble than fish, or rabbits and those don't lay eggs

 

Have you thought about going to a Hen party, one of the Omlet courses before getting your girls? Its a great way to meet others and learn about whats involved.

 

Have fun

[rarara]

Hi Rarara *waves*

 

I have THREE children, my eldest turned 5 this week, and my youngest is just coming up to 9 months, in the middle we have a 2.5 yr old.

 

I have 8 chickens, and a cat. Oh, and an Allotment too.

 

I cope well with the chickens I think. I love my chickens. I have spent just under two hours this morning cleaning out the Eglu and the Cube and totally enjoyed it. The Eglu is going to be sold soon, so it will be just the Cube to do, which will make it less time to do it.

 

I think you are right to ask these questions, especially if you have had no previous experience with chickens but, I would still recomend them as pets because in my opinion they are no more trouble than fish, or rabbits and those don't lay eggs

 

Have you thought about going to a Hen party, one of the Omlet courses before getting your girls? Its a great way to meet others and learn about whats involved.

 

Have fun

 

My dear *waves back* this all your fault You are my idol I honestly can't imagine cleaning anything for 2 hrs though

I am hoping to go to a hen party, asap just so I can gauge if keeping chickens is in my realm lol! So if it's something I really can't imagine myself doing ever, i've at least not wasted my time and energy iykwim?

 

Wish me luck

[Cyber Chook]

I do wish you luck and if you find it's something you feel you can manage, good for you and have fun going for it

 

Caroline

[Ygerna]

 

My dear *waves back* this all your fault I prefer to think of it less in terms of 'Fault' and more in terms of 'Enabling'

You are my idol I honestly can't imagine cleaning anything for 2 hrs though Don't panic! An Eglu on its own and three chickens will take no where near two hours to clean

 

I am hoping to go to a hen party, asap just so I can gauge if keeping chickens is in my realm lol! So if it's something I really can't imagine myself doing ever, i've at least not wasted my time and energy iykwim? Makes perfect sense, and you will meet lots of others who are in the same boat. Let me know when/which you go to, I will make Hubby bring us along too

 

Wish me luck Wising you lots of luck, and reminding you to save! save! save! so no buying any more slings and things