jaycee Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 Hi all, my husband and I have been thinking about getting a couple of chickens for a while but are worried about a few things: 1. We both work full time. We thought we could let them into their run during the day and let them out into the garden when we get home in the evening. Is this OK or is it unfair for them to be cooped up all day? 2. What about winter evenings. It is already dark when we get home so should they be allowed the run of the garden in the dark? 3. What about mess. We only have a small garden and whilst I don't mind cleaning up after them and using this in the compost, do they create a lot of mess? Sorry for my ignorance but I want to be sure we can look after them properly before commiting ourselves. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phenna_family Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 Hi jaycee, Go for it they are great pets, we just got our first egg today. They are not messy and having an eglu in a small garden is great. We leave our chickens in the run while we are at work, then let them out when we get home, they really do adapt to your routine, when we first got them they were out all day as it was school hols, but when I went back to work they were back in the run until I got home, they don't seem to mind. Personally I would go for it, you wont be disappointed. Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 Hi all, my husband and I have been thinking about getting a couple of chickens for a while but are worried about a few things: 1. We both work full time. We thought we could let them into their run during the day and let them out into the garden when we get home in the evening. Is this OK or is it unfair for them to be cooped up all day? You can put things in the run to keep them entertained - corn on the cob; peckabloks etc. Mine happily dustbathe or scratch about in their chippings if they have to stay in their run at all. 2. What about winter evenings. It is already dark when we get home so should they be allowed the run of the garden in the dark? Once it gets dark they won't want to come out and will be tucked up in bed (unless you provide spotlights for them ) A few omletteers do this with no problems (I mean work all day so don't see much of their chooks during the week). 3. What about mess. We only have a small garden and whilst I don't mind cleaning up after them and using this in the compost, do they create a lot of mess? Not if they are in the run most of the time, that way it is contained! Sorry for my ignorance but I want to be sure we can look after them properly before commiting ourselves. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. They are great fun, much better pets than rabbits or GPs (and you get eggs!). Go for the biggest run you can comfortably fit in your garden - that way if they do need to be confined you can be confident they have plenty of space. Mine help me to garden - they clear all the creepy crawlies and slimy things from the garden; rake over the flower beds (under supervision of course ) and provide an endless supply of fertiliser for the flowers and veg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 agree with the above replies; like you I work full-time, so can only really let my chickens out at weekends/after work. They only came in February, so I haven't gone through a whole winter, but I can see that in the shorter days, I will only see them in the mornings when there won't be time to let them out. Lots of people on here are in this position, and the Eglu is designed to provide enough space for two chickens to live happily. I'm just about to get a run extension for mine, but that's 'cos I want to get a third one eventually Chickens are very addictive! They are not a lot of work, you can do all the cleaning etc in an hour or so at weekends. It would be lovely to let them have more free-range time, but they are absolutely fine living in the run - go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 Go for it I say. As Olly says, they are very little work....5 mins a day to top up food and water and 1/4 an hour for a mini clean up. As long as you want for a major clean up. The eggs and the pleasure of having them to amuse you in the garden make the bit of effort well worth while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaycee Posted April 30, 2007 Author Share Posted April 30, 2007 Many thanks for your replies. I think I have been pursuaded - not that I needed much persuasion! I will let you know how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 PS they are very little work....5 mins a day to top up food and water not that you will be able to restrict yourself to 5 mins a day ... that's the minimum you need, but you will find yourself spending much longer than that, because they are so fascinating to watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
