Arklow - can i keep hens in back garden?

TechnoFreek

Hi,


Does anyone know the situation regarding keeping hens in your back garden?
I live in a housing estate in Arklow and would like to keep a couple of hens for egg laying purposes. The hens would be contained at all times and I would not be keeping a rooster.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

Ding Dong

go for it! I keep hens, ducks, geese and doves etc albeit, I live more in the country, but as long as they are within your boundary and u keep food away from rats and not lying around in run or shed there should be no problem. its a v relaxing hobby and great for kids. TIP: give a few eggs now and again to neighbours either side. keep them on side if you know what I mean . clean their bed reguraly so theres no bad odour and there shouldnt be any complaints.
best of luck~!!

gaz wac

hi,
what are you going to do about cats ? its just that i have always wanted to keep a few chickens, i live in an estate but i have the corner house so i have a huge garden but im thinking cats would be a problem...keep a pen ? good luck anyway

TechnoFreek

Ding Dong wrote: »

go for it! I keep hens, ducks, geese and doves etc albeit, I live more in the country, but as long as they are within your boundary and u keep food away from rats and not lying around in run or shed there should be no problem. its a v relaxing hobby and great for kids. TIP: give a few eggs now and again to neighbours either side. keep them on side if you know what I mean . clean their bed reguraly so theres no bad odour and there shouldnt be any complaints.
best of luck~!!

I definitely want to go for and would be very conscious of smells, neighbours, giving few eggs here and there etc.
I just more concerned that I spend a few hundred quid setting myself up and then someone complains, only to find out that the council don't allow it at some level.

I have emailed arklow town council, still awaiting a reply.
Just posting here to get other peoples experiences in the meantime!

Ding Dong

I have a cat and she ignores the hens as do most cats. v unusal for a cat to go for a hen. theyre normally too big. and they dont run off scared which can make a cat chase cos of their hunting instinct. if theyre penned in or in a run they'll be no bother

TechnoFreek

gaz wac wrote: »

hi,
what are you going to do about cats ? its just that i have always wanted to keep a few chickens, i live in an estate but i have the corner house so i have a huge garden but im thinking cats would be a problem...keep a pen ? good luck anyway

Hi, I would intend to have mine contained within a coop and run at all times.
From what I read though cats are more intrigued than anything else. It's the fox is the one to watch!

TechnoFreek

Ding dong - do you know any local, Wicklow or north wexford based suppliers of coops, hens and feed?

Ding Dong

exactly! u'll have no prob w cats re: ur hens. foxs also like easy meals. u say u live in an estate so the foxs will be well fed from bins etc. they wouldnt be too bothered trying to dig into a run if there was food lying around. will it be a moveable run or a permanent one?

Jim

Mate of mine has about 10-14 hens in a suburb housing estate in Dublin, no problem at all. They have a coup and a good bit of space to move around all surrounded by wire. They have 2 cats themselves and they never bother the hens at all and neither do the neighbours cats. They even let the hens roam around the rest of the garden freely once a day with no trouble.

Ding Dong

TechnoFreek wrote: »

Ding dong - do you know any local, Wicklow or north wexford based suppliers of coops, hens and feed?

go onto donedeal.ie - poultry. u'll get local suppliers advertising their runs. look at suppliers in UK as well to get the one that suits you. i found irish suppliers often more expensive than UK ones even after exchange rate and delivery! some people not letting go of the celtic tiger. always get a run thats too bigger than what u need initially. if u want 2 hens to start and get a run for 2 hens, get one of 4/5. Just u'll want room to expand and get a few more in time (u will, trust me). any glanbia, country life store or many hardward stores now stock layers pellets

TechnoFreek

Thanks ding dong. Been on donedeal alright. Some nice stuff on there but can be pricey as you have mentioned
There is a poultry store in carlow (my original home) that is a one stop shop. It is pricey but might be a good place to start for ideas. Old McDonald's its called.

My plan is to have a permanent coop and run. I only plan for 2 hens at first but would defo buy oversized. Just for the sake more room for the hens, let alone getting more in the future!

Greentopia

TechnoFreek wrote: »

Hi,


Does anyone know the situation regarding keeping hens in your back garden?
I live in a housing estate in Arklow and would like to keep a couple of hens for egg laying purposes. The hens would be contained at all times and I would not be keeping a rooster.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

I'm in Arklow and while I don't have hens (would love some but live in the Marina Village so no go ) but I have a friend living in Templerainey whose next door neighbour has some and there's no problem.
I can't see it being a problem at all as long as you don't have a rooster-which you say you won't so...
If you're still unsure I'd drop into the council offices and ask.

Cookie_Monster

I can't see how the council would have any right to stop you from having hens if you wish, no more than they can stop you having a dog or cat or rabbit.

Noise of a cockerel would be the only issue, but you say you will not have one. Now I wouldn't be totally familiar with chickens but do you not need a male to keep them continually fertilised and producing eggs?

Greentopia

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I can't see how the council would have any right to stop you from having hens if you wish, no more than they can stop you having a dog or cat or rabbit.

I don't know about this country but many other countries -the U.S. for example-have bylaws in many States that make it illegal to have backyard hens in urban/suburban areas. I believe it's become quite hip to have hens in some places there now though like in the middle of New York City.
hens-the new pets for urban hipsters

TechnoFreek

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Noise of a cockerel would be the only issue, but you say you will not have one. Now I wouldn't be totally familiar with chickens but do you not need a male to keep them continually fertilised and producing eggs?

No need for a cockerel. Hens will lay regardless.

Fertilised egg = chick
Unfertilised egg = breakfast

Ding Dong

keep us up to date on how u get on. maybe others mite come on the thread to let us know their set-up if theyre in an estate etc...?

TechnoFreek

Ding Dong wrote: »

keep us up to date on how u get on. maybe others mite come on the thread to let us know their set-up if theyre in an estate etc...?

No problem. It will be a few months before I'm up and running as I still have to put a shed and do some basic landscaping in the back garden.

I will however post every time I progress an element.
First up will be permission from the council!

Gardiners in coolgreaney or coogan hardware out in Tinahely might help on the coops.
Gardiners will also sell rolled barley and layers pellets which when mixed or on their own are a good feed for hens.

Gardiners number 37103

You shouldn't need permission to keep a few hens.
Having a cock with them will encourage them to lay eggs.

As for sourcing the hens and cocks,they are quite cheap actually.Theres a few traders that come to Gorey selling them regularally and advertise in the wicklow people and Gorey Guardian.They might sometimes be at Carnew mart [Quinns].
You might also buy a copy of the farmers journal as they may also have advertisements for ready made coups and where the hen sales are.
Look under poultry adds.

scottyboy1973

TechnoFreek wrote: »

Ding dong - do you know any local, Wicklow or north wexford based suppliers of coops, hens and feed?

Hey Techno - we jsut bought one from a guy in wexford. Chickens arrives last weekend - 3 Rhode Island Reds and, much to our surprise, they started laying within 30 mins and hvaent stopped - we've had 7 eggs since saturday afternoon!

we got this coop

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/poultry/1424324

You will need to clip their wings too - they can fly higher than I thought and are clever/inquisitive little buggers!

scottyboy1973

Oh yeah, as far as I know, you don't need permission from the council

mkiwi63

Hi Technofreak, whilst I live further out of town than you, I would highly recommend Noreen Kelly from Gardiner grain in Coolgreaney, they have everything there you could poss want at very reasonable prices, her hubby makes great hen houses and she is great for advice, hope that helps

TechnoFreek

scottyboy1973 wrote: »

we got this coop

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/poultry/1424324

thanks scotty! I spotted that coop myself on donedeal. thought it looked like a good self contained starter kit.
Can you give any feedback on the coop from your experiences so far? My concern was that it might be a bit small for a couple of hens if they are confined to it all day. What is it like to clean?

TechnoFreek

mkiwi63 wrote: »

Hi Technofreak, whilst I live further out of town than you, I would highly recommend Noreen Kelly from Gardiner grain in Coolgreaney, they have everything there you could poss want at very reasonable prices, her hubby makes great hen houses and she is great for advice, hope that helps

thanks mkiwi, that sounds like a great start. will check her out!
still trying to convince my other half

dozy doctor

TechnoFreek wrote: »

Hi,


Does anyone know the situation regarding keeping hens in your back garden?
I live in a housing estate in Arklow and would like to keep a couple of hens for egg laying purposes. The hens would be contained at all times and I would not be keeping a rooster.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

How did you get on with Arklow Town Council?
Did you get your chickens in the end....

AM picking up a few on Saturday, so hope there was no issue with keeping them....