Redwing Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 You might be ok with a dual purpose bird like a Sussex or Ixworth but not your average layer like a Warren - there would be so little meat on one of those As others have said the age is a big factor, the older they are the more unsuitable they would be for eating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 We had thought about having chickens but done nothing about it and then ED saw a and I knew it was the one for us Now have a as a garden ornament , no one lives in it but it looks Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sallyj Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 I decided to keep chickens because I find it very relaxing watching them scratch about in the garden and listening to their bokking The eggs are a lovely bonus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 I read about the Eglu but at the time I was in a terraced house with a tiny garden where it just wouldn't have worked. When I decided to move, the idea came back and I found I was assessing potential gardens for 'chickenability' when I viewed houses. I can't really tell you why I wanted them though, especially as at that time I was scared of birds. I mentioned it in passing to a friend, and as a result my housewarming present from my lovely group of friends was an Eglu voucher! Crazy as it sounds, I never really thought about getting eggs until the hens arrived, I just had this vision of chickens scratching about in my garden which is now a beautiful reality every time I let them out to free range. The eggs are a bonus as far as I'm concerned! I think it's perfectly valid to decide that you want them for egg-production, but in that case you have to be prepared to do the deed when they stop laying - not easy, either emotionally or practically unless you know how to do it humanely and safely. As mentioned above, most egg-layers are not meat birds, and so the work you would have to put in (plucking etc etc) would be for a fairly meagre result. I've got a non-layer living in retirement at the moment, and I'm fine with that, as long as I have younger hens who are still laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OllieNLucys Mum Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 I've got mine as my son brought home 2 chicks earlier this year one of which turned out to be a cockerel. Being the only hen in Ollies hareem was too much for Lucy so I got my daughter 2 hens so now have 3 hens 1 cockerel which seems ok so far all still youngsters though so time will tell. Predictably enough my son has now totally lost interest and they would be long dead from neglect by now if left to him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Oh dear, I remember your son's first posts, and how he was getting up at some unearthly hour to cycle up to the stable where they were kept to let them out ... we were all so impressed, shame it didn't last! However, at least it introduced you and your daughter to the wonderful world of chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 I can't envision ever killing mine, but if you are less sentimental or squeamish, I believe that you local butcher may be willing to do the job. Everything living will die (sadly). How it happens is much more important than what happens to the carcass after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy C Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 We wanted a pet that didn't need walking, and that might actually be affectionate, so dogs and cats were out. 2 1/2 years ago we went to a wildlife park near Reading and were walking around when suddenly a whole flock of bantams came running doen a hill to welcome us and clucked happily around our feet. That was it I started researching hens on the net the next day as soon as we got home. I discovered the eglu and that was that! Incidently it did not just change our home life, I also started to work at an agricultural college 4 months after getting our first girls, mentioning our pet hens swung the interview! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Eggs first, entertainment second........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeggySue1 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 When I was told that I would no longer be able to work - I've been a nurse for 25-odd years - I really needed something to keep me busy in mind and body. I started with veg growing in containers but when the veg were all doing their growing I was left with not much to do. Chickens seemed the next step to an stress-free(ish) lifestyle so began a campaign to convert my OH to chicken keeping, who was surprisingly agreeable especially when I suggested rescuing ex-batts. We've now had our girls for nearly a month, and the pleasure and entertainment they provide, as well as eggs, is amazing. They are definitely family pets. Hmm what shall I try next? I've always had a thing about piggies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teri Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 keeping chickens was actually my hubbies idea. he mentioned it might be fun one day a week later we had two sussex! we had no run or coop so they stayed in the garrage in a large dog carrier for a couple of nights until we sorted out the accomodation. we have had them for less than a year and our flock has grown to include a sussex hybrid, a very broody silkie and 7 chicks that we hatched (with beauty's help!) the seven chicks include a pair of frizzles and a pair of chaucer bantams so we are looking into breeding some ourselves next spring! we are officially lovin keeping chickens!!! (and are now trying to persuade friends and family that they really need some as well !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Our then 5.5 year old son asked for chickens for Christmas. We told him it was totally impractical, then I started researching things and had my eyes opened to the fact it was possible to keep back-yard chooks. Had a word with Father Christmas, and he delivered three hens plus a previously loved 4 days before Christmas. He even had a word, and our first was organised for Christmas day and affectionally called Jesus : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 we got ours because I do so much baking and eggs were costing a fortune.We have now bought a bigger coop and are getting some more -we love them to bits and would never kill them for meat - even though my husband thinks that they would taste great as they have eaten all our herbs out of our garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I wanted chickens since I was a child. Then hubby showed me the eglu in his gardening magazines. This sowed a seed and we talked about it for years. Then the cube came out and we talked some more. Then we agreed to getting three hens. We bought a cube but brought seven girls home from the breeder in October 2007. The bantam got picked on so hubby suggested buying an eglu and getting some more bantams so we did. Then we rescued ex-batts and bought another cube in December 2007. After that it went mental! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolly Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 It was actually my hubby that wanted chickens and I wasn't keen. We got them as pets, the eggs were a bonus. Now we have them, I couldn't imagine being without them - I love them to bits and am at their beck and call! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
