andybukbuk Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Hi all, I've thought about getting some chickens for a while. I'm just starting to look into it at the moment. While my wife is slowly warming to the idea, her main worry is the mess they make and the safety with having a 2yr old playing in the garden too. Has anyone else had any problems with this? We could make a walk in run, but ideally I'd like to give them the run of the garden when we're about too. Thanks. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debsygooch Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Hi Andy, as a relatively newcomer to chicken owning all I can warn you about is the amount of poo that two chicken produce (believe me I know)! This is obviously something that you will need to be mindful of with a young child running around. I have given in and just completed (well my Brother did actually) a walk in run - which I totally recommend for the girls to run around in therefore protecting your garden for a bit longer. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Ideally you'd need at least a netted off area for them to range in - their wire run plus a netted area would be fine Bantams make a lot less mess than large fowl but its still significant Dont let the mess put you off though, contain it and you'll be fine Chickens make great pets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatalieC Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Hi Andy, I got my first two girls four years ago when my daughter was 2 and my son 5, it was absolutely fine and the children loved them. I bought the Omlet netting and the girls have an area where they can free range but are kept off the majority of the garden where the children play. That said, the children (and their friends) spend a great deal of time in the chicken space and it has been perfectly safe (they know to wash their hands and check their feet now!). I found that having the chickens whilst the children were so young was great because the kids were quite happy to pick them up and feed from their hands which was good for the chickens too as they got used to being handled regularly. My girls have also been to visit the kids school a few times and the other children are fascinated by them (my daughters class have just finished a whole chicken theme!). Four years in we all still compete to be the one to check for eggs and wouldn't be without them! They do poo a lot but its great for the garden and we find when we move the chicken netting to allow the grass to recover a bit (usually twice a year) the grass grows back much greener! Maybe if you say where you are based, there will be someone with an Eglu who can show you what is involved and what sort of space they need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Getting chickens is fabulous and is a great way for your 2 year old to learn about 'nature'. However assuming you have an average sized garden (you might have acres for all I know) for them to free range in, you must be prepared that they will destroy it unless you fence bits off etc. They also generate lots of poo but as my garden is full of wild rabbit poo I don't let that worry me too much. It might be a good idea to go and see people who already have chickens so you can see the sort of mess they make. That way you will know if your wife can live with it. I should add that chickens antics easily make up for holes in the ground my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennett Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 I think it would be well worth you finding someone close by from omlet to see how they have thier set up. I started keeping chickens and had 2 children now i have 3 children and my 22 month old loving running around trying to pick them up and normally succeeds There is a lot of poo, i started with just an attached run to the house then i moved to a open top Walk in Run and i am currently purchasing a fully covered walk in run. So that the chickens can remain it in most of the time. So what you think will suffice at the beginning will prob change into something different by the end. If i knew now what i knew then i would prob would have just gone the whole hog instead of wasting money on up grading every couple of years! I have a small town house garden but the chickens have trashed it! so be warned. However i would never give my girls up, they are great family pets and they give you something in return... eggs! Everyone is very friendly here on omlet as see if you can go and visit a couple of peoples set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybukbuk Posted August 16, 2010 Author Share Posted August 16, 2010 Thanks for all the positive comments. We live in Nottingham and I'd say have an average to maybe just above average size garden. Sorry I've no idea on the exact size. But I do think we'd be able to fit in some chickens. Going to see an Eglu and some chickens sounds like a good next step. Thanks again. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 Hi Andy welcome to the forum I havent got any yet and like yourself have wanted for a while. Am just doing lots of looking around the forum, asking questions, looking at other peoples set-up etc. So all in all doing the research etc before going ahead. Everyone is so helpful on here, and willing to advise newcomes like us, its great. I am hoping to go to one of the Omlet hen parties soon, so can see and talk to someone who already has chickens. Have you had a look to see if one in your area? Just click the course link at the top of page and enter your area, may be of help for you. Wishing you all best, in your getting some chucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 I think it should work out fine, provided you don't buy a cockerel, they can be VERY aggressive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
