I'm in the middle of an idle wonder about chickens and just wondered if anyone had any practical experience of keeping them/living nearby to someone who does?
How noisy are they? Do they disturb neighbours etc?
Currently an entirely hypothetical question. I know a few people who have some and love the experience but they all have larger gardens than we do round here.
Just interested to hear thoughts...
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Hi Clare,
We had chickens on an extension roof for several years and they were great. No trouble with hens but I wouldn't advise getting a cockerel.
No! Definitely not! Most of the reason I ask is because I don't want to do anything that would bother neighbours...
You may end up with a cockerel even if you just start with hens.
How does that work?
Chickens are known to be able to spontaneously change sex. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-12906196
I'd second that. I didn't get any sleep past 5am whilst on holiday due to crowing roosters.
This was a major concern I forgot to mention in my question. I do see foxes round here. I can see Con's roof chickens is a potential way round the problem.
My first reaction was - lovely idea but not outside my bedroom window thanks - then I googled it a bit and found that apparently the hens make from very little to a modicum of noise, except apparently for the occasional excited egg-laying noise and when scared.
So if my neighbour came and asked me if I'd mind, I honestly wouldn't know what to say. Ideally I'd want to get some first-hand experience.
Have you floated the idea with any your immediate neighbours yet?
Not yet. If I had any intention of actually going ahead then I would. I just wanted to hear from others whether it was a completely terrible idea/pleasant possibility before I get into actual practicalities.
If you let them roam about a bit each day in your garden just be aware that they poo non-stop, will re-arrange your garden and happily wander into your kitchen if you leave your back door open :) But they are fun to keep!
Recommend bantams for a smaller garden;
While you're at it, get a beehive going too.
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