... not to want to keep chickens!

[3boys1cat]

My DH has decided that he would like to get a couple of chickens to live in our ordinary suburban garden, together with a secure hen-house so they don't get savaged by the hundreds of foxes that roam our streets at night.

I just feel that I don't have enough room in my life for anything else that needs looking after, and despite his assurances that I would love having them, I really don't see the point. I can buy eggs in Sainsbury's , so why do I need to have them in my garden? That's not to mention the mess, the expense, and the fact that I would be the one who has to lock them up every night, when all I want to do is sit on the sofa once the 3 DSs are in bed.

Rant over - any views?

Don't do it, they shit everywhere, will ruin your garden and make loads of noise.

stinky bums ,chickens have, and also no brains.....
oh my dear, you DO have too much to do with 3 boys too!
no, give yerself a break and say a big fat NO.
save the chickens for when you have time, and live in the country, or have a huge space!

I adore my hens but they provide me with plenty of extra work! Don't be pushed into this if it isn't something you really want!

What about when you go away for the weekend or on holiday?

You can't just pop them in the boarding kennels like a cat or a dog!

YANBU, you're being very sensible. Like any other animal, they need looking after properly and there is more work involved on both a daily & weekly basis than you might think.

The runs attached to hen-houses are rarely big enough for chickens to be confined to all the time. If you let them out, they will scratch up a small lawn, flower beds, flower pots etc in a very short space of time.

So unless your DH is prepared to do all the work himself, don't get them.