jackian Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I know this will cause a few ruffled feathers but I need a few points of view please. I have had allotments now for 10 years and there are no chickens on them at all ...Not even sure if they are allowed by the council. We are just about to join the allotment assoc. and went to meeting tonight with a chat from a lady from the assoc. Somebody mentioned chickens and she said we should demand to be allowed them on our site. I could not think of anything worse , How do people with chickens on allotments look after them? are they shut up all day ? How do you get to know them as pets or are they not pets.Are they just an end to getting eggs? What about foxes or stealing ? How do you leave them to their own devices all day ? I have my 3 girls at home and they FR in our very small garden when ever I am home and in a 6mx6msquare WIR when not.I love watching them and their antics and knowing who has laid what when etc., I thought of them up my allotments and could not imagine it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Sometimes an allotment is the only space available for someone to keep chickens either due to space issues at home, clauses in rental agreements or tricky neighbours I dont keep chickens on an allotment but I do keep some at my field. they get checked at least once a day. All of my birds whether at the field or home do not usually get the chance to free range but they are healthy and seem happy enough. many are well loved pets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I personally can't imagine having my chickens at another location. I would be stressing not only if their feeder/drinker was all OK but what other people could do or give the chooks. I have heard of people having hens on their allotments because of lack of space at home (can't remember where from) x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 The allotments near where my sister lives has chickens and the look well cared for. I always take the foot path when I am there so I can see them. I really think it depends on where you live. I understand they did have some stolen once but that could and has happened from peoples gardens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 technically a council managed site can't ban chickens as they then are in breach of at least one act of parliment then that leaves them open to all sorts to trouble when they try to enforce other parts of the same acts or other acts I know severel sites in sandwell were chickens are kept the one I'm Secretary of do's have a no livestock rule but I know that if any ony challeges it the council will back them and not the committe as the rule goes against the Allotment act personally I don't want chickens on site as they wouldn't be safe deal with the aftermath of a vermin attack of either type!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 I wouldn't keep my precious girls on our allotment, that said a friend our ours does. He goes twice a day to let them out into a secure run, but then he can as only lives round the corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 I'm on a waiting list for an allotment and intend to keep my meat birds on it. Seems a natural part of the point of an allotment and the desire for self-sufficiency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted July 13, 2012 Author Share Posted July 13, 2012 Thank you for all your replies.. I was just curious to know others thoughts. I suppose it depends on the security of the allotments and how attached you get . Perhaps having only a small garden and being able to see my girls all the time while home I am a bit over sentimental . Plus my allotments are 15 minutes away and I don't drive so pedalling back and forth on my bike 10 times a day would be just toooo much . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky56 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Hi We have our four birds on our allotment(eglo coop in a secure pen and then let out in daytime on to a fenced orchard). we've had them there for a few weeks now. we have only got a small allotment about 14 plot holders, surrounded by houses. three plotholders have their houses facing the allotments. that includes the the lady that co owns the chickens with me, so they are never left alone for long. In fact they have so much interaction going on that no one gets any work done on there plots anymore, but their great fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 A friend keeps her chickens on an allotment. They are in a large secure run, and are visited daily by her, and countless times by the other allotmenteers. I don't think you need to be too worried. The hens won't give two hoots about getting to know their owner, and as long as they are fed and watered, and the run is secure, they will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
