jojo2305 Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Hi there, I'm a newbie to the forum and I'd love to hear a bit more about the possibilities of keeping some chickens in our garden. I was brought up in the country so have plenty of animal husbandry experience- however I would like to know how you go about keeping chickens in a (very small) town? I mean- do your neighbours mind?!! etc. Thanks in advance. Jojo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Hello! I have only had my girls a couple of months, but so far keeping them is a doddle. They do make a little bit of bawk bawking, but that is nothing compared to dogs around here I still get excited when I find eggs in the nesting box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Hi jojo, my neighbours were only worried when they thought I had a cockerel Like Jules says they can be a little noisy on occasion, but certainly not as bad as any dog (or wailing tom cat!). People have asked me if I still have mine as they can't hear them But to be honest, I think it's your business what you have in your garden as long as it causes no annoyance (noise or smell, or too unsightly) to anyone else. Probably best not to have them too close to anyone else's home either. Best check the deeds to your house to make sure there are no restrictions though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Hi jojo 2305 You will sooo enjoy keeping chooks we have had had our chickens (4 of them) for two and a half weeks its one of the best things i have done.I wanted to have a dog but with a special needs daughter it would have been all to much so i decided on chickens.Both my daughters really enjoy them and oh the rewards fresh eggs. Our neighbours don't mind one bit.I keep mine on the lawn and every couple of days rake the poo off compost it and we don't have much of a smell. Enjoy your chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Hi, Sound your neighbours out before you get the chooks, if they are not agin it in principle then you shouldn't have any probs providing you don't cause a nuisance. Our Cube is located such that it would annoy us before any of our neighbours if it began to smell foe example. It is so easy to clean that this will not be a problem. Kev. Edit: ps why is this thread in widescreen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 I am not so sure that sounding the neighbours out is a good idea. If my neighbours had sounded me out before they got their cat, I would have said, "No, I hate the idea of a cat living next to me." But they just got it, and I am having to put up with it using my garden as a lavatory and scaring my hens, because my neighbours are not doing anything wrong and that is what cats do. If you ask someone who has never experienced chickens they may just think, "Smells, noise, flies, rats, foxes" and say No too. You may have nice neighbours, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they will like chickens. Many people I know wrinkle their noses up in disgust when I say I have chickens, and say, "Surely you aren't allowed to keep them?" Thankfully I know what my deeds say, and I can. So do check that the restrictive covenants in your house deeds don't ban livestock. It is better to find out now than later: remember that chickens are not classified as pets. Then, if you are allowed to have chickens, just get them. Keep them clean, shut them up at night to stop early-morning noise, and bring the food in at night. Site the eglu/cube in the place least likely to cause annoyance. And if they free-range, make absolutely sure there is nowhere they can get through the fence, as if they eat your neighbour's young plants that will really put the cat among the pigeons (mixed metaphor intended). They won't even notice that you have chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Edit: ps why is this thread in widescreen! Something to do with Foxy's signature - I'll get Kate to look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 I've managed to sort out Foxy's signature in admin after a great deal of cursing because I couldn't get the codes to work . All sorted now anyway . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanchick Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Hi Jojo I agree with Gallina on this. Why is it necessary to ask others? I would not ask my neighbours if I wanted to get a puppy. By asking I would be giving them a chance to say no, which would cause tension. If you are on friendly terms, then you would probably mention it, but if like me you just say hello when you both put the wheelie bins out, I don't see the point. I have had my chickens over 2 weeks and the neighbours will eventually work it out, then no doubt ring environmental health and check the deeds for restrictions, then accept defeat, all out of my earshot - by which time they will realise that the chickens are actually not a problem. I don't let them out until 7.30am and they do not make any particular noise. I keep them clean and the cube is sited at the end of the garden, furthest away from both our houses. They have no reason to object. It might make a difference how many chickens you keep - perhaps the sight of 2 chooks over your neighbour's fence is cute but 10 might be a bit scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 I didn't tell my neighbours before I got mine. One didn't notice until he was clipping the hedge and spotted them. He was fascinated. Came round to have a look etc. The others didn't notice at all until I mentioned it. The chap came over all nostalgic and told me how it was his job as a child to collect the eggs and feed his granddads bamtams! Said if ever I needed a neck wringing, he was the man for the job! I give them both my surplus eggs (which they wax lyrical about) from time to time and everyone is happy up to now. I do keep them clean, put rat bait around the garden in bait boxes and they are sited at the bottom of the garden, so I don't think any one could complain justifiably. Go for it jojo2305, you won't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Check the deeds, and then casually drop it into the conversation if you see them - not 'do you mind if' but 'by the way, my chickens are arriving next week'! My neighbours (attached side) were entirely happy, in fact before I got the fence fixed they used to bring their little boy up the garden to see them. The neighbour (unattached side) didn't even know they were there for quite a while! We only see each other when putting the recycling out. I have got a long garden so they are well away from the houses, and can't be heard. Well, not usually! I reckon 9 times out of 10 you will get a positive response and reminiscences about parents/grandparents/farm holidays. And the offer of free eggs usually helps! Nothing they can do to stop you, but it's always nicer to be on good terms with the neighbours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojo2305 Posted July 22, 2007 Author Share Posted July 22, 2007 Thanks for the help- we have a garden all round our house so hopefully they would be far enough away not to annoy anyone! Our neighbours haven't batted an eyelid at any other animals that have come to stay, ponies, lambs etc Right, well, we shall look into it a bit more and then see what we can come up with- we were only looking at two or three chooks anyway- no need for anymore!! jojo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 we were only looking at two or three chooks anyway- no need for anymore!! jojo That's what I said. I am now hoping to get another two or three Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 I found my neighbours are delighted with the free eggs I take around from time to time...one has even started giving my Veg etc that she grows in Exchange. Good luck with your chickens are you getting a cube or and Eglu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Both our neighbours were thrilled with the idea of us getting chooks, we had a bit of a problem with a nosy old man who lives about 10 doors down on the other side of the road dont know what he thought it had to do with him the family 2 doors up tried to complain, but the neighbours joined to us batted them back with "im sure that they wont be as noisy as your 6 dogs yapping all day" just get them, bribe the neighbours with eggs - and all will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 We are finally going to tell the people next door about the hens (im sure they must know about them anyway) and give them some eggs tomorrow....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 we were only looking at two or three chooks anyway- no need for anymore!! jojo when it comes to chickens need has nothing to do with with how many you get! I've found it's entirely down to want! Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy C Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 We did not tell all our neighbours until they arrived, then we invited them around to meet our "pets". "Ooops, word censored!"ody knew what to expect, since we are a little eccentric. Soon as they met them they all fell in love. We held a hen party, for their coming out (of the run for the first time), to which all our local friends came and we had 14 visitors that day! Now we get knocks on the doors and just know it not us they are visiting but "the girls". We have had offers of looking after them when we are on holiday, which has been useful already. We give eggs to our friends periodically and they love them. The little girls next door wanted to hatch hers so she could have her own hens. They all collect egg boxes for us and we have noticed a rise in organic fee range eggs being bought. Horrah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojo2305 Posted July 24, 2007 Author Share Posted July 24, 2007 Thanks for all the comments guys! It is a bit of a decision betweenthe cube and the eglu- see we have a fully enclosed courtyard which they could share with the rabbit- seems a bit silly to buy the cube when we already have a lovely super size run but then again..the cube is just soooooo sweet!!! we shall see- think we have a bit more to sort out in the garden first before we can install some chooks jojo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 I vote for the cube!!!!!! If you already have a run then you can get the cube without the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
