Anyone here keep chickens?

NIMAN

My kids visited someone today who kept chickens and have been talking about it ever since.

I don't really know the person, but until I could get back to chat to them, I was wondering what would be involved in keeping chickens?

I would like the idea of such a thing to give the kids some responsibility in tending them. I think we should have enough ground around the house to have some sort of coop, but I assume you'd have to erect a cage too.

We live rurally but just off a busy road. Not sure how that would fit in if they need to roam about.

Curious to find out what would be involved.

Springwell

Yep - started out with three. Now have about 30-40 exhibition chickens and ducks of various breeds as well as the original "lawn chickens" :eek::D: :pac:

They're easy enough to care for - clean out the coop and ensure they've food and water. Will you let them out to free range? Keeping them safe from the fox is the toughest bit. A coop inside a well fenced fox proof run is the easiest way to manage them. A trio of hybrid layers would be a sensible start or if they're for your kids look at Pekin bantams.

NIMAN

Thanks for that Springwell.

I have been reading this site I found, seems to give plenty of info for the beginner.
https://keeping-chickens.me.uk/getting-started/chicken-houses/

Should it happen, I would ideally like to let them wander, but I am wondering how much damage they might do to my garden?

Plus they would be at the back of the house, where I have the most available space. My front gate opens on to a relatively busy road with cars travelling at speed. When they are wandering, do they stick to the area around their coop, or would they dander round the house and have to force me to take precautions at the front? My front gate might be 25 metres where they might be.

Springwell

They'll wander. My free range girls cover about an acre

If garden damage is an issues look at feather footed breeds and bantams as they do less damage

NIMAN

My house site is only 1/2 acre, so guess they'll be all over it.

aonb

You need to ensure they cant get to the front of the house and busy road - they will wander wander wander!
So either a run to restrict them to the area around their coop, or fence an area in your back garden. They need a dry/draught free coop.
Hens must have fresh water, and food available all day.
If they free range, they will decimate your garden. They will come and tap on your windows and at your back door
They will poop on your patio.
They need to be closed into their coop every night, or a fox will come and take them - and need to be let out early every morning.
Their coop needs to be kept clean (weekly job) and their (delicious) eggs collected every day.
There is a lot of routine involved in keeping hens, if your children will stick with the chores, its a fascinating, brilliant hobby/interest. Get a minimum of 3 to start.
Make sure to get from a reliable source. Oh and get Point of Lay or close to point of lay - make sure they're sexed or you will end up with at least 2 cockerals!!