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Hello thinking about getting a few chickens
jess miller
Posts: 14
in Talkback
My daughter has recently had work experience with the RSPCA, they have some ex battery hens in at the moment and yep you've guessed it she wants some for the garden
But I've never kept chickens before and was looking for some advise we have cats and a Jack Russell Terrior and I'm worried if this is a problem please help if you can
0
Posts
Hi Jess
I love chickens and used to keep lots on our smallholding - however we're older now and have moved and don't have chickens any more. You'll find lots of help on this forum
http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=83e9b37ede93142f2d87966dc59f4f6d
Hope that helps
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
We keep chooks, have done for some years now - we've had ex battery hens and hens that we've bought from sellers too. They make truly lovely pets! Firstly you need to consider if you want to have them free-ish range (so they'll have a coop house to lock them safely away in at night) but you let them roam the garden during the day - also you'll have to factor how secure your garden is for that! OR whether you'll build them a safer coop and run. We have had both!
With regards to dogs... We have a collie who has a strong rounding-up urge!! We have taught her that the chooks are out of bounds! My mum brings her patter-jack to stay with us (he will chase anything!!) and we've also taught him not to go after our girls! (Should say our girls have the run of the garden during the day and are locked up at night in their coop!)
We don't have cats so I'm unsure what to suggest there, my first question though would be do your cats bring home dead birds, mice etc? I've kept a cat and rabbit together before and had no problems... Not sure it quite the same thi though!! Maybe someone else can offer advice with regards to that! Does that help at all? Feel free to ask any other questions I'd be happy to help ??????
Goggle omlet . Got mine last Christmas with a coop. bugger to wrap I'm told
Ps I have a cat and she's ok with them
I have 5 cats and a dog and the hens with no problems. The dog has grown up with birds (we have ducks too) and learned not to bother with them, though she does have an ongoing feud with the goose, who attacks anything on 4 legs and is prepared to consider 2 if they encroach on goose territory!
Adult hens are able to defend themselves, they target the eyes and the cats have learned to keep their distance, even from the bantams. They must have fox proof housing and a run as well if you are ever going to be away overnight, or go out and get back late.
You will also need to consider protecting your garden if you are going to allow them to roam. While they are great at seeking out slugs and bugs, they will also scratch in search of worms and love sunbathing and making dustbaths in what they consider suitable places. This may be the middle of your lawn or your newly planted border. Things are especially bad at this time of year when new shoots are emerging and easily damaged. I have a large country garden and the birds are free to roam all year, but in the spring I close gates round the bit with my early displays of small bulbs, hellebores and pulmonarias or they wreak havoc. If your garden is not wild and unkempt, like mine, or small, you may need to keep them enclosed for most of the time.
The plus side is the pleasure you can get from watching them and their company. They can get very tame and enjoy being stroked - my banties sit on my hand - and they are always by my side whenever I am doing something that might involve worms. I also have hole free hostas, and newlaid eggs, even in the depth of winter, though it is better not to try to calculate how much they cost
Can I just mention one thing? Check that you're allowed to have them - it depends where you live.
If you're rural I'm sure it'll be fine - so good luck and enjoy. Plenty of info on the forum as you'll see
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you everyone you've been a lot of helpm
It's a good idea if you can do it - you need to remember it's year round - even when you are on hols - and keep it clean tidy otherwise rats will be an issue
I acquired some ex caged hens on their way to slaughter through a charity a few years ago. They were battered and ragged when I got them and one couldn't walk as she had a bone infection and had to have treatment from the vet.
They were fine with my and my neighbours cats, although once I saw them attack one of my cats as a flock but no harm done
I've only got one left now and I think she is on her last legs. They are considered spent at 18 months (going for the pet food trade anyway) and she is coming up 5.
I think it will say on your house deeds if you cannot keep chickens.
Good luck
I'd love to keep chickens.
We have an " allotment" which is fenced off with a barbed wire top.It's 100 ft by 25 ft and I'm sure I could site them in there with a few modifications.
However , we have foxes live on our land ,even with the barbed wire, I'm not sure the chucks would be safe so was thinking of inner electric fence.
I've had clients in the past with chucks and I used to love opening up in the morning to give them breakfast.