4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Alis girls]

As you know I have no chickens yet but am hoping to by end of yr if people dpont keep telling OH negative things. A woman the other night said she'd kept chucks who kept jumping into next doors garden. They jump from tree over fence. As i was hoping to free range when I was at home this alarmed me, I could keep them in eglu I s'pose. and I keep hearing about rats. we have rabitts and 2 cats and numerous other kits who come into garden and I've never seen a rat yet. Help as OH absorbs all the negatives.

[quickcluck]

Scare mongering!!!

 

If you clip their wings it's harder for them to fly a great distance. However, removing all potential lauch pads seems to the the easiest option So make sure there's not much for them to climb on round the edges of your garden!

 

Now you can definately have some

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I think you'd be very unlucky to have just the right combination of tree plus fence to jump over . Mine have never shown the slightest interest in going up in a tree .

 

As for rats, I've never seen one in over 18 months. Chickens don't attract rats as long as you don't leave food lying around. Store your feed in a galvanised bin.

 

I agree with Quickcluck - you can definitely get some now .

[Budgies]

Hi NoChucksYet

 

As the others have said, there are ways and means, and this forum is great because many people have been there, done that, got the t-shirt and are now willing to share their hints and tips with others.

 

All the practical logistical problems can be overcome!!

[stoice]

Clip their wings and remove any 'launch pads' as quickcluck says to solve any flighty problems. (You'll probably find they'll only really try this as youngsters. Once they are laying they'll hopefully not bother so much). As for the freeranging issue - you always try persuading your OH to get a walk-in run! (One thing at a time maybe!)

Chickens don't attract rats/mice any more than your wild bird table does! If you have a shed, compost bin or decking you probably already have a furry visitor of some sort but having a cat, as you say, keeps them in check. Good housekeeping as ANH says will help. As will bringing in their feeder at night. Put down pre-emptive bait stations if your worried (You can even get ones that look like rocks)

Maybe invite your OH along to a hen party! Once you've cuddled a friendly chook or tasted a fresh egg, I defy anyone to be overwhelmed by any slight potential negatives!

 

Good luck

[Sammy]

Could you get your OH to visit another Omleteer with you so he can see for himself? This may persuade him?

[quickcluck]

which part of the world are you in??? It's a good idea to visit someone first, or the Hen Parties are fantastic!

[Ness3103]

definitely take him to visit someone with chickens. my oh wasn't keen and was just going along with it for a quiet life we were very lucky to go and visit 2 lovely ladies with eglu's. after having a cuddle with some beautiful chickens and being given some lovely eggs, he's as excited as me now

[Newchick]

I had the same comments when I mentioned I was thinking of keeping chickens. Think people were probably laughing behind my back and thought I was nuts

 

I have to say. I have mine 5 days now and they are so much fun and so little trouble. I have had many pets (and minded other peoples) and think they are the easiest things to have. As easy to look after as a goldfish and so so much more rewarding.

 

I love looking out the window and seeing them pottering about. I sort of makes the garden come alive.

 

Would recommend them (and just ignore the negatives comments). Some people always find something negative to say about everything.

 

Best of luck

 

Newchick

[littleleicesterfox]

A lot of people are so negative these days about things that require any more effort than sitting in front of the TV or lifting a games controller.

 

Whatever animal you choose to bringinto your home, for every person that celebrates your decision, especially one to give a ex-batt a better life, 5 will be totally negative, building reasons why you shouldn't do it.

 

I keep all my rabbit food/chook food/wildbird food in big plastic roll-top bins. I know for a fact that we do gets rats from the local fields around here and I do not have and more problems than my neighbours.

 

People don't seem to appreciate that rabbits will attract foxes just as much as chickens and with the density of rabbit population I doubt that chicken keepers will attract any more attention.

 

I don't have my chickens yet (hopefully this afternoon!) but I know that for every con there is a pro + many more good reasons! Don't ignore them, as chicken keeping is not for everyone I suspect (most of them for example!) but do what you know is right and if you understand the right reasons then you can persuade your OH to do so as well

[Alis girls]

Thanks everyone - we are in NW London so if anyone is nearby. i know a couple on allotment has eglu and a friend has chucks in a proper built house and they do have rats but she said its due to nighbours rabbits but we've never had them. Must be my housekeeping.