Backyard chooks

[Kazbah]

Ahhh, a "chicken cuddle" is a cuddle with a chicken! We have to catch a chicken for him to cuddle and feel better. The barnies we have are great. And if you get 3 chooks, that will prolly give you extra eggs to bribe the neighbours with. There are *heaps* of ways to keep them on the lay, they do tend to go off the lay when you first get them - with ours, we found they'd have good egg production for a week (cause there are about 6 eggs in various stages within a chook's body) and then go off for about a month - but mind you, we got them from battery hen places, so just having light, free movement and scraps was a huge adjustment for them. they really are great creatures - when we do our veggie patch makeover at the end of seasons, we let the chooks in there and they really scratch it up good and proper and get rid of all green stuff for us!

There's nothing quite as relaxing as sitting in the back yard after work, cup of tea in hand, and hearing the occaisional "cluck cluck" as they find a juicy treat. Better than a water feature any day.

[sunshine_sieben]

Better than a water feature any day.

So, who here has chickens on a normal suburban block similar to ours (about 650sqm)? Or do you all live on large blocks or in semi-rural areas.

[Jennifer13]

So, who here has chickens on a normal suburban block similar to ours (about 650sqm)? Or do you all live on large blocks or in semi-rural areas.

Normal sized suburban block here. There are heaps of chickens kept in our area. Even the local Woolies stocks chicken feed in 10kg bags and hay. We normally go to Pet Barn, but it's handy if we're stuck.

We've had two from chickens and two from point of lay (you can't put a chick in with grown hens). TBH the friendliest are the ones we got at point of lay. The only pecker was one we'd got as a chick who got sick of being pestered by kids (died last year sadly). The ones from chicks do seem to like head scratches more, but I'm the only one they'll stay still for to pick up. The one that DD carts around, takes on the slide, puts in her car/bike, etc was five months old when we got her. I think it's more personality, as for all birds and pets. But DD loved the experience of having the chicks.

Ours are called Alice, Celia and Gemma. DD names them after her friends!

[sunshine_sieben]

I think I did something really really stupid!

Well, as mentioned,I am not really allowed to keep chickens, due to council regulations. But I have since talked to my neighbours and they said they have no problems with it. The closest one even asked whether she could come and see them when I have them. Turns out she grew up on a farm and loves chickens.

But stupid me decided to contact council anyway to see if I could apply for a permit. I thought: if nobody asks to keep chickens, they wouldn't know that people would like to, so there would never be a change in the local law...
So, I sent them an email through their website. A few days later I got a letter from the council saying that chickens are prohibited. Period. I can't remember giving them my address. But I must have. How dumb!
now, if I decide to get chickens anyway (illegally), do you think they might give me a surprise visit to check whether I am complying with their rules? I now have it in writing that I'm not even allowed a Bantam chicken. So I can't even feign ignorance.
Grrrr, I should have called them instead of sending an email....

[Charlotte91]

I'm so glad I found this thread. I was sitting next to DP and I just turned and said "Dude, lets get a chicken!". He asked a few questions and he's agreed to it.

I have a 7mo cat who attacks anything that moves, think that'll be a problem?
Cause I'd love to get some chooks for eggs and stuff, but if Titan attacked them I would be so mad!

[sunshine_sieben]

How cool that you DH is on your side!!!
Did this thread make you think of getting a chicken or did you want a chicken and then found this thread?
Just a quick note: I think you should get at least two. From what I have read, they are very social animals and would get lonely.
You could get something called a chicken tractor. Basically a chicken wire enclosure with an open bottom and a small coop that can be moved around the yard (google it). That way your cat can't get at the chickens. But if you get larger chickens, I think your cat should not pose a threat...

[Charlotte91]

I'd mentioned it to DP before, about getting some chooks and he didn't really seem interested.
But, now he's all for it. I've been looking into it and found some chicken coop designs that a mate of our is happy to help make.
Our cat, as much as we love him, might not be around much longer.... he is always getting on the bench and we've nearly had enough.

The local hardware store sells chooks occationally (weird, I know). Pullets?? Is that a type of chook? I dont know much about chooks.
Dont want something that's noisy, cause we have a neighbour. But, they have a beautiful veggie garden so I'm sure I could give them manure to keep them happy.

[tellytubby]

I had 5 chooks on my 750m2 yard block.
You just need to remember, and be prepared for the digging, and the poop.
They dig... they dig up your lawn until it turns to dust. They dig holes, as big as a dog would.

Now I have two chooks, find it much easier to handle. Also gives less eggs, which is good for us. With 5 we had soo many it was a joke. Even our neighbours were saying no, haha.

What are the fines if the council busts you? would it be worth it??