Can I keep chickens...

[Anonymous]

... in my back yard?

Hello all, Newbie here!

A colleague of mine has just been telling me about her ex battery hens and a little light bulb came on in my head. My girlfriend and I have talked about hens on several occasions, but its never really come to anything. Now though, I think its worth a little more investigation.

I've had a look through the forum and the main site for advice and I have no doubt we'd be able to look after chickens properly, the question is though, would it be fair? The thing is that I only have a smallish back yard, approx 2m x 8m, which is completely paved. I'm just a little concerned with the lack of grass to forage in, I have a few tubs and planters and would bring in more, but would this be enough?

I suppose this would be a vast improvement on life in a battery farm, but its far from a natural environment. What do you think?

 

[Davidd]

Hello. in short, yes you can! as long as you give them their basic needs- as big a coop as possible and some soil/sand to dust bath in then they will be fine- plenty of feed and some greens daily and there should be no problem- many fancy breeds of bantams/chickens never see the outside if they are show birds- so, even in your small yard as long as they can scratch around in something- soil is the best but sand is also good and you change it regularly then they will enjoy themselves. I would get at least 3- that way if you lose one (which sometimes happens with ex batts) then you are not left with one- and then you will have problems introducing new birds. Any questions please ask.
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

Would it be possible to lift some of the paving slabs?

Osric

 

[Anonymous]

Excellent news, just what I was hoping to hear!

I'll have a look at the paving, should be easy enough to lift a few.

Next step to consult with neighbours & local council (just in case!), more research, planning and more posts here I'm sure!

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Lucylou]

Hi Jim,
Before you ask around, just a word of precaution. There was a lady on here some months ago who thought she was doing the right thing by asking around before getting her chooks & the end result is that a neighbour put the mockers on it because he objected & also the council brought up some old legislation that seemed to apply to commercial producers but applied the same regulation to her & her proposed half dozen chooks.
So maybe do a bit of undercover work first :lol: Best of luck, you'll love your chooks, wonderful hobby - with added bonus of edible rewards

 

[snifter]

Excellent news, just what I was hoping to hear!

I'll have a look at the paving, should be easy enough to lift a few.

Next step to consult with neighbours & local council (just in case!), more research, planning and more posts here I'm sure!

Thanks,
Jim

Wait before contacting anyone. I say this as more often than not, if you ask, it usually ends up in a pile of paperwork and emails and headaches. I'll explain more later but 95% of the time, you don't need to consult neighbours or council. Just go ahead and get them. In rare instances you need permission but most of the time there is no need whatsoever. Don't cause problems for yourself by asking. Just get them Only one thing to really check for is the covenant on your house (if you own it) as sometimes, there is a clause, but for a few hens as pets, no one really seems to mind. Even then most people never bother and get them without checking.

Everyone I know who asks the council and neighbours seems to end up being told no for some crap reason and not getting them. Everyone who never asks and just goes ahead has no problems and many happy years of chook ownership.

 

[Anonymous]

Fair point re just doing it! I'm confident the neighbours either side would not object, but why give them advance notice if they would!

Onwards!

 

[ncotb]

Th offer of nice fresh eggs usually keeps them sweet but just get the hens, dont mention it & then see what happens