Neighbour is thinking of getting chickens

admars · 06-08-2011, 09:32

Hi, I get along with my next door neighbour, and he told me he is thinking of getting some chickens. He's already asked next door the other side of him who said they don't mind, and he said as long as I don't mind he'll get some, but wouldn't if it was a problem.

In his garden he already has an aviary and run with lots of budgies. He's lived in his house a lot longer than we have in ours, so we knew about the noise from them when we bought our house, and we don't really notice them any more.

He says he doesn't think they'll be any noisier than the budgies and he said he won't be getting a cockerel. Where the chickens would go though would be the house end of the garden. The missus like me doesn't think it will be a problem, unless as well as noise, is there smell to be concerned about? He isn't sure how many he might get, I'm guessing 2 - 5?

Cheers

**Kymmy** · 06-08-2011, 09:44

As long as the run is kept clean then there shouldn't be any more of a smell than the other aviaries.. as for sound chickens are not that noisy and the the noise they do make can be quite soothing.

Another bonus is eggs, a neighbour with chickens means good decent and fresh free-range eggs every now and then (most will charge about £1-1.50 for half dozen but gawd do they taste better as they are fresh)

admars · 06-08-2011, 11:54

thanks, I've been in his aviary a few times, he does keep it clean, he vaccums in there a couple of times a day, and his seed is kept in sealed plastic boxes in the aviary, he keeps the sacks in his house.

He used to breed the budgies for competitions, so I assume he'd take the same amount of care of the chickens, clean them out etc as he does the budgies. He's retired, lives on his own, so he has the time

My parents' old neighbours used to have chickens, but they have a long garden, and the chickens were far end away from the house, they gave up 'cos foxes kept getting them. My mum's opinion was it should be ok, as we could get free fresh eggs, but may have to deal with seeing dead chickens, but we have a 6ft fence between us so shouldn't do!

Cheers

**Chris** · 06-08-2011, 11:57

We get all our eggs from our next door neighbour. They do have a cockerel but even that is a nice noise to have in the background.

If your neighbour has had an aviary for years he is most likely going to 'do' chickens properly, keeping them clean and well cared-for.

You have nothing to lose and lots of very tasty fresh eggs to gain.

Gary L · 06-08-2011, 12:06

Someone I know has 5 chickens and they don't make much noise unless the kids are around them or at feeding time.
the guy a few doors down has a cock that makes a bit of noise.

Woolly One · 06-08-2011, 12:14

Got to agree with the other posts, chickens are quite soothing, our next door-but one neighbour's have five and their no problem at all.

DaiNasty · 06-08-2011, 12:18

Chickens on their own are delightful. My daughter's used to mutter away to themselves as they foraged around the garden. As said earlier, it's quite a soothing and pleasant sound.
Sounds like the guy knows how to keep birds right although I'd still have reservations about a cockerel. They can have some serious attitude as well, getting very territorial and loud.

Angua · 06-08-2011, 15:11

Just hens are fine. The addition of a cockerel is what causes the noise.

smcaul · 06-08-2011, 18:56

They do tend to attract rats, so be aware that you might end up with a bit of a rat problem in your garden caused by their chickens!!!

Welshchris · 06-08-2011, 19:20

My Parents Neighbours decided to get Chickens and in the end Environmental health told him to get shot of them as they wernt within a certain distance from his house + other properties and they caught 5 rats in 1 week.

lop · 06-08-2011, 19:21

hens without cock=no eggs

**Kymmy** · 06-08-2011, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by lop

hens without cock=no eggs

Incorrect, hens without a cockerel = No fertilised eggs.. Hens lay eggs no matter what, a cockerel is needed if you wish the eggs to hatch.

MadGamer · 06-08-2011, 19:45

As a keen chicken keeper myself, I have two little darlings, hoping to add another two in the coming days, I can honestly say they are a pleasure to look after, they are pretty clean creatures as well as interesting, you just have to keep food and water supplied in their feeders, and clean bedding once a week, while keeping the run clean as well.

**Kymmy** · 06-08-2011, 19:50

I've said it in a few other threads in the last few years and I'll say it again..

If anyone is thinking of keeping chickens then please consider the British Hen Welfare Trust through which you can rehome battery/commercial hens allowing them to live a better life than what they had in their cages.

LSainsbury · 07-08-2011, 13:12

Next door have 3 chickens...the garden is a absolute mess. But they are moving soon so we'll be shot of them.

Apart from the garden looking like a tip, they've not been a problem - apart from the odd strange smell coming from the graden now and again when the wind is in the right direction...