could anyone who has them give me some advice, I have a large garden and have more than enough room for chickens,

BUT,

Do they smell?
Do I have to cut their wings (cringe)

What sort of vet trips are needed, do they need routin check ups,,

Can you get hens that don't lay eggs??? (strange question i know)

Can you just keep one?

Emma

I will try and answer a few bits as my mate has chickens but cant help with all sorry. All birds can smell well there droppings if not cleaned up enough. I think there is worming treatments for the birds that need doing, They tend to have a few feathers clipped but if kept in a large avairy i suppose you dont need to do this. Hens some times will only lay up to a certain age and one of my friends doesnt lay at all but the other 4 do. Personally i think its unfair to keep hens on there own they much prefere the company of others. They do a fab job of keeping down the weeds and also like slugs and snails but if your garden is very small can be churned up some what. My mate got hers from Longdown dairy farm in the new forest as babies. They were fantastic with any ques and also any advice for after care. Very tame bird and love to be picked up. P.S dont wear sandles they love your toes and it hurts.....

we used to have two hens, they're such good fun to keep. We never really wormed them or anything, and they never had any health problems, but people will probably reccommend it. I'd definately say that you get more than one, and be prepared to have your garden turned over, they like to dig about

We kept ours in a specially modified shed, and attatched a giant rabbit run to it, and we had a litte hatch between the shed and the run, so that we could close the hatch once they'd gone to roost, and they were safe at night. We also let them roam around the garden most of the time too.

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R.I.P Buster - Causing mischief over the bridge, sleep tight soldier

Hiya I keep chooks they are great little characters they do smell if you dont keep the house clean but thats a simple task!
They don't need to see a vet unless they are sick
Their wings need to be clipped if you have trees etc and don't want them to escape ~ if you get the heavier breeds they have less inclination to fly so don't need wings clipped and clipping is only of the feathers (takes about 2seconds and is totally painless)
You must have at least two as they are companionable creatures that like to live in a flock
hens always lay eggs unless they are old or sick (why do you ask?)
You worm them once a month with a product that goes in their food or drink
They are great fun

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Kay, pet portrait artist and Mum to Milo and Fred, foster mum to "Tabatha Snow" aka Maggie
............ all run ragged by the chooks Myrtle and Mavis


www.pettpaintings.com

Glad some one had more advice i only knew a little.

Thank you for the advice, I asked about the eggs as I do like eggs just don't like to see things go to waste

I would love to get some, but do not want to walk in blind
LOL

You can always sell or give away any spare eggs (they are great for trading and keeping the neighbours happy)
The only downside I find is that you have to control the visiting rodents ( I leave that unsavoury task to my husband)
Oh yes and time wasted watching their funny antics when free ranging

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Kay, pet portrait artist and Mum to Milo and Fred, foster mum to "Tabatha Snow" aka Maggie
............ all run ragged by the chooks Myrtle and Mavis


www.pettpaintings.com

its lovely keeping chickens and going to get your fresh eggs every day, we now have a cockeral which isnt so nice first thing in the morning lol but go ahead and get a few i am sure you will love it! we do actually have more eggs than we use but give them to family and friends, they love it!

What season would you say is good to get them???

We have cats that control our rodent problem,

But on saying that Alvin completly freaked out at a spider the other night, his tail was a complete bog brush LOL

Here are some links to poultry care
My Pet Chicken - Chicken Care Guide

Poultry Basics - The Accidental Smallholder

Also have you thought of taking in some ex battery hens. They are very rewarding to keep, but do need some extra care at first.


Battery Hen Welfare Trust

How to care for Battery Hens - Battery Hen Welfare Trust

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Thanks
Lea

http://www.vanityfurgrooming.co.uk/