Getting chickens

[Couldntthinkofausername24]

I have a 5 year old who is itching for chickens. We have been around chickens and he enjoys looking for eggs, feeding them etc.

Me and my husband have discussed in depth about getting some eggs, an incubator and then go on to keeping them on our land.

I guess it's not this simple and am looking for any advise and if I'll be doing the right thing

Thanks so much

Before getting an incubator I’d advise buying a few ready-to-lay hens and going from there. They’ll need a secure pen which can be moved frequently to new grass. Your DC can enjoy looking after them.

Large parts of the country are under mandatory housing of chickens at the moment due to bird flu. My chickens, despite having plenty to do and a big shed, are desperate to be outside. Personally I'd really think about keeping any birds at the moment.

Also if the eggs produce cockerels, what would you do with them?

As above, definitely. Hold off on the incubator until you're slightly more experienced (it's not hard, just better to get to grips with poultry management first). Plus if you buy POL all the hard work is done for you. Ditto if and when you breed, give me a broody over an incubator any day.

Yes think about cockerels. Unless they autosex don't even think about sexing then yourself.

Definitely don’t go the incubator route. Not only is it expensive and with lots of opportunities for the eggs not to hatch or the chicks not to thrive to point of lay, what will you do with the male chicks?

You won’t keep them as they will crow at hideous o’clock, fight, bother the hens and of course they aren’t necessary for egg production. Unless you’re very rural they will cause problems with your neighbours and the council can intervene.

A few point of lay (POL) hybrid pullets are perfect. They lay well, are fairly laid back of temperament and make good pets.

But as PP say, there are also constantly evolving restrictions because of bird flu (you need to register with DEFRA) so you need a plan for keeping them entirely contained and not free ranging for when your area has its next outbreak.

either get a young pair - cockerel and hen - and breed from them (what we did when I was younger - allowed the hen to sit on 3 eggs but be prepared you might end up with just cockerels)
or/ a trio of young hens

Consider bantams - they’re a third of the size of normal hens so much less poo, less feed needed etc. much easier for him to handle plus some fun looks (funny feathery heads etc)

I love my chickens - they’re are such wonderful characters and very friendly. If you handle them enough they end up loving being stroked. Best pet ever and low hassle

Have you considered getting ex battery hens so they can live out their retirement? These chooks have never even seen the sun! We have three and they are such characters. They do lay and they look so happy in their freedom!