Dh wants some. I'm not convinced. Tell it like it is please!

[Whenisitmysleepytime]

Dh and I take it in turns to daydream about chickens. The other one points out practicalities and we decide we're not ready. Except dh is really keen this time. He's even looked online at runs.
So... Tell me please

Start up costs - run etc
Ongoing costs - food, vet, jabs (?!?) etc
How much work is involved - cleaning out especially
How often do you get eggs
How long do chickens live
How long do they lay fowhat do you do once they've stopped laying

I have 2dc (3 & 1) so plenty to do. I don't really want to end up being sole chicken keeper too. Dh is not an animal lover at all but I think he fancies himself as a bit of a farmer at times

We know nothing so warts and all information would be brill! :)

There's lots of advice on the Omlet forum.

I would say don't do it as you'll start with two and become obsessed, end up breeding chicks under your broody, timed perfectly to hatch on Easter Sunday and enthralling the children and end up with a dozen

;)

Adore them, wouldn't be without them, friends have caught the bug and me now has thirteen!

I caught the bug and now have 7 but my circumstances changed and I feel that they are one additional responsibility that I could do without. I won't rehome them though as I am actually quite fond of them.

I have three (a bantam and two hybrids) and they are not too much work and don't generate much poo. They cost me an absolute fortune in vet's bills though (running at around £100 a month - suprelorin implants) and the electrified run and coop were £££ from FlytesoFancy. they also have very expensive taste in food (living lettuce, mealworms and organic mash).
They ar every sweet but I do find it extremely stressful when they get sick. This happens relatively often as they pick up all sorts from the wild birds round here.
They are a bit of a bind when I go on holiday but I pay a local chicken-sitter.
I'm not sure I'll get any more although my lodger is hoping I do.

Lizzabadger Can't your lodger look after them if you go away?

Thank you all for your advice and words of wisdom! :)

Thankfully the talk of poo seems to have put dh off. It was what was putting me off and the but I really didn't want to be responsible for.
Perhaps once the dc are bigger we might revisit the idea but for now it's back to a day dream. :)

We have 3. Started at Christmas with 4. Sadly one day when the run had flooded and they were free ranging one decided to roost in the trees (but not very high up) and met her end at the jaws of Mr Fox. The next week the neighbours lost 6 chickens mid-afternoon and our neighbour sat up all night with a shotgun and dispatched the fox but now we only free range when we are in the garden with them. They have a run which is 2m by 5m totally enclosed with galvanised small gauge wire and properly surfaced (DH is an engineer and the thing would probably keep a lion contained)

We're awaiting some Orpingtons from a local breeder. I have a DD aged almost 3 and pregnant with DC2. The cleaning out take about 10 mins once a week (but I've been exempted fro months as I can't really bend down to reach into the hen house with my bump!)

Use the poo on the compost heap people. It may still be smelly but is great rocket fuel for plants.
You won't make your money back with 3/4 chickens, but the eggs are delicious.

We have 3 at the mo, and even with a 2yo and 7 mo (children) there's enough time to clean them out (but this is because I make DP do it). He cleans the house out once a week, using shredded newspaper for nest material...cheaper than straw. That can all compost too.

With a 1-2 yo chicken you should get an egg daily, although some breeds slow down or stop in winter. They lay up to about 4 years.
Once they stop laying we take ours back to the chicken farm and the man there kindly 'puts them to pastures new' for free. Again, have never taken them to a vet.

We bought a coop, fencing, food, grit. Pellets might be around £8 a sack and you might need 3-4 sacks per year (we supplement with wheat, scraps)
Ours have a coop with small pen, and then we built a larger pen, then occaisionally go in the garden for a range about but this bugs me because of the aforementioned poo everywhere (leave it to dry out a bit then rake up).

We've found neighbours are more than happy to look after them, they only really have to let them out in the am, make sure they have food/water annd put to bed at night. We bring the food in overnight to help stop rats.

I think they are great, but one down side was when they got red mites which was grim and only kick ass chemicals got rid of the blighters in the end.
go for it (but make him do all the work!)