Chickens in suburbia

[greenbean]

Hi,
I would like to get a few egg laying hens, no cockeral, to keep in my back garden. I am lucky to have a larger than average back garden, so there is plenty of room, I have looked into all that and housing, etc. I called my local council today to double check on local bylaws against keeping poultry, just in case, the enviromental health officer was quite frosty with me, said yes there are no laws forbidding keeping poultry but that in this day and age keeping poultry in suburban areas is not fair to the neighbours with them creating a potential health hazard. I was quite surprised by his attitude. Is anyone here keeping birds in a suburban/town setting and have you had positive/negative experiences with neighbours? Kind regards, Pam

[glenniedragon]

I've had no problems with my neighbours, I do keep my cockeral shut in at night now as he had taken to crowing at 6.30am which I thought was a bit early. The offering of the occasional half dozen eggs or pieces of homebaked cake also helps oil the wheels of tolerance. Healthy, cared for chooks in a covered run if/when nescessary are a lot less of a threat than the wild bird population or the unhealthy conditions of intensive farming. Good luck, go for it I say- but be warned I have not met anyone who can stay at 'just a couple' of chooks, poultry keeping is addictive!

kind thoughts
Deb

[Shirley]

Blimey Pam...

I'm a bit taken aback by his attitude... health risk!!?? I'm guessing he means bird flu. In my opinion he's out of order and should be rapped over the knuckles. I would complain to the council if I'd been told that...

We live in a rural place... so don't have the same sort of problem, BUT we do have a next door neighbour... their only query was... can we have some of your eggs please

Deb's is right... it's hard to stay at a couple of chooks....... BUT... that said... if that's all you have room for then that will keep that enthusiasm in check (a bit ) - we've got 4 little chicks in the brooder in our kitchen at the mo.. along with a gosling! Noisy but fun.

[Hillbilly]

We're in a small village with neighbours on either side and no probs so far. Ignore officials, they're trained to sound frosty

[Martin]

gets onto hobby horse!
trumped- up. pea-brained blasted morons! How dare they!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just about sums up this police state - have to ASK to keep a few chooks? - just do it!
There are far too many under-achievers working in local government, as far as I can see doing "non jobs" on nice fat salaries (usually with the arses to go with it!) - all part of our ludicrously huge and unnecessary bureaucracy! To what end? - is our life one jot or tittle better?...........
About time us peasants revolted!

[Millymollymandy]

Surely they are a lot less noisy that some dogs who bark constantly - and leave their poo all over the pavement. At least hens sleep at night time! And some people's gardens are a health risk in suburban settings - full of rotting old junk and rats. Bah humbug!

[Wombat]

G'Day Pam,

We live in suburban Sydney on a 500m2 block. We keep 6 chooks - 4 Rhode Island Reds & 2 Australorps. 4 are in a chook tractor and two in the old chook shed. We have had no problems to date with neighbours and have been keeping chooks for over 20 years. I have supplied a few eggs to the neighbours on occasion, but basically no problems. they make little noise or smell. The Enviro Health Officer should insert his nead in his funamental orifice!

Nev

[greenbean]

Thanks all of you for your comments. The more I think about his attitude the crosser I am getting, my OH has pointed out that in his job he only gets to hear the complaints, he did seem rather bitter. I was very surprised at what he said, it is the only negative comment I have heard so far. Away now to start work on the hen house!

[Shirley]

Nice one Greenbean... looking forward to hearing all about your chooks in due course.

We are in the process of making a chookhouse too!!

[lotus_eater]

At the risk of sounding utterly moronic, can anyone suggest how you build a chookhouse? Is it a matter of just being inventive?

[Millymollymandy]

There must be some websites with that sort of info on them, somewhere. On a chook forum perhaps? Anyone know?

P.S. Not a moronic question! The only moron is the Env. Health Officer or whatever he is.

[Shirley]

There are websites that give info and guidelines... there are even some plans...

http://www.poultryclub.org/ACHousing.htm is loaded with advice, but no plans that I can see.....

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/plai ... using.html lists lots of useful plans...

http://www.pekinbantams.com/henhouse_plans.asp

Loads of advice out there...

[Wombat]

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/thecitychicken/

There is good stuff here too!

Nev

[greenbean]

We did most of our research on the internet and by speaking with friends who have hens. I have found a book 'Starting with Chickens' by Katie Thear very useful, especially for info on what breed(s) to get.

[hmk]

Hi,

I'd just make sure you've prepared your neighbours. Reassure them you won't get a cockerel and any misgivings will probably go. Mine feed them when we go on holiday. They get the eggs and enjoyed it so much (and their picky 3 yr old DD actually ate the egg she'd collected) they're thinking about getting some! It is addictive....

Hazel