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Original poster

Pet choice help for a small garden and allergy family...Chickens? Bearded Dragon? Something else?!

58 replies

YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:02

NC for this but am a long time poster, looking for some help or perhaps a reality check that we are seeking the impossible?!

My DS (primary age) is desperate for a pet. He's a solo child and I think it would be lovely for him to have a companion and to learn responsibility etc.

Here's the situation though.....

DH is not that keen on a pet at all as he doesn't want the commitment and he definitely doesn't want anything that would require daily walks or create a lot of mess/smell.

We go away a couple of times a year, sometimes for up to 3 weeks at a time. We live in a terraced house with a small garden inc grass, flower beds and a patio area. I work from home so when we aren't travelling, I'm around most of the day.

Any pet would need to be small, relatively low maintenance, able to be left for a few days at a time (or longer periods as long as we can get a friend or neighbor to pop in and feed them), and not stink.

An indoor/outdoor cat would probably have been the best bet but alas, we are all allergic to cats. DH has also said any rodent pet is completely out of the question.

After lots of research, the only options I've found that might suit are Hens (with the Eglu coop) or a Bearded Dragon.

I also considered Guinea Pigs, but I think they don't like to be left alone for more than 12 - 24 hours so what do you do with them when you go away?

If anyone has any insight into the suitability of any of these pets or other suggestions, I would so appreciate it!

OP posts:
Rollinghill · 04/09/2023 14:04

We have chickens! Great little pets. Do you get foxes in your area though?

Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:08

Rollinghill · 04/09/2023 14:04

We have chickens! Great little pets. Do you get foxes in your area though?

@Rollinghill oh that's great to know! Do you mind if I ask what breed you have any how you find the maintenance and smell side?

We are in London so we do see foxes, but I've never seen them in our back garden or any of the neighbour's gardens. Was hoping that the "fox resistant" Eglu coop (and a big chat with DS about the "circle of life" and the possibility of a fox getting in) would be enough... is that naive?!

OP posts:
Insommmmnia · 04/09/2023 14:12

Hens are lovely but they need to be shut up at night and let out in the morning. They also need fresh food and water every day. If you leave loads of food out for them 24 hours a day you will encourage rats. They also go through a lot of water in hot weather

The realistically need someone twice a day to visit them whilst you are away.

Thereisnoname · 04/09/2023 14:13

We have both chickens and a bearded dragon ( plus lots of other pets). Chickens are quite smelly and if let out in the garden can be messy but have the advantage of giving fresh eggs and yes a fox will likely know they are around.
Bearded dragon is very easy to keep apart from the fact they need live food so need to buy it regularly. Plus the tank can get a bit smelly at times Out of the 2 I'd say a bearded is easier to keep plus can be left alone for longer ( a few days at least possibly a week not sure as we don't due to other pets).

Thereisnoname · 04/09/2023 14:16

What about fancy stick insects or beetles? Low mantinence, don't really smell or make a noise?

BackToOklahoma · 04/09/2023 14:18

I don’t really think pets are for you to be honest. 😬

Newdoggo · 04/09/2023 14:18

Budgie or parakeet?

Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:22

@Insommmmnia hmm ok that’s very helpful to know, thank you! We have friends who I could ask to help out when we’re away but twice a day for a few weeks at a time is a lot to ask of someone I suppose!

And DH would be seriously unimpressed if we attracted loads of rats 😂

OP posts:
Katmai · 04/09/2023 14:22

Encourage your dc's love of animals, and make your garden wildlife-friendly instead. Nature can take care of itself when you aren't there. Plant flowers and shrubs that attract butterflies and insects, put up a bird feeder and bug hotels, and if there is access for small wild animals to come in and out of your garden, then put a hedgehog house in a quiet corner and you may get one hibernating in it. You could also have a mini wildlife pond.

Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:25

@Thereisnoname thank you! My feeling was Bearded Dragon was prob the best choice of the two. I don’t mind the live feeding aspect and happy to clean out the enclosure regularly to keep down the smell.

How do you find your Beardies with being handled? I think in DS’s ideal world he’d have a pet he can play with or cuddle a little bit.

I hadn’t thought about stick insects or beetles though! I’ll take a look!

OP posts:
Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:26

😂 I did say tell me if we are asking the impossible!

its DH that is the stickler here. I grew up with all sorts of pets and know the benefits outweigh the draw backs

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 04/09/2023 14:26

I have chickens and if you have them in a small garden it’s a lot more work and harder to keep them happy. You will keep having to change the litter in the Eglu run and if they’re not allowed out they’re more likely to get bored and start pecking each other.

Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:28

Newdoggo · 04/09/2023 14:18

Budgie or parakeet?

@Newdoggo oh yes that's a good shout! I had one as a child and loved him. Will take another look at Budgies / Parakeets, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:28

YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:26

😂 I did say tell me if we are asking the impossible!

its DH that is the stickler here. I grew up with all sorts of pets and know the benefits outweigh the draw backs

Sorry this reply was to @BackToOklahoma

OP posts:
AllPowerfulLizardPerson · 04/09/2023 14:29

I think stick insects have to be the lowest maintenance pets there are, and the easiest to leave with neighbours

Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:30

Katmai · 04/09/2023 14:22

Encourage your dc's love of animals, and make your garden wildlife-friendly instead. Nature can take care of itself when you aren't there. Plant flowers and shrubs that attract butterflies and insects, put up a bird feeder and bug hotels, and if there is access for small wild animals to come in and out of your garden, then put a hedgehog house in a quiet corner and you may get one hibernating in it. You could also have a mini wildlife pond.

Thanks @Katmai , this is definitely my back up option. Our garden is due an overhaul so we could definitely do this, Just trying to make some decisions on pets first as that would of course influence garden needs and design. But this may be the best option.

OP posts:
Bramblecrumble22 · 04/09/2023 14:30

Leapard geckos are smaller and cleaner than a bearded dragon.

Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:31

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 04/09/2023 14:26

I have chickens and if you have them in a small garden it’s a lot more work and harder to keep them happy. You will keep having to change the litter in the Eglu run and if they’re not allowed out they’re more likely to get bored and start pecking each other.

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel hmm ok, I think chickens are probably a no go then. I would let them out to free range during the day, but I think we could only fit the smallest Eglu run into our garden. Thank you for the reality check!

OP posts:
Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:33

AllPowerfulLizardPerson · 04/09/2023 14:29

I think stick insects have to be the lowest maintenance pets there are, and the easiest to leave with neighbours

@AllPowerfulLizardPerson Yes the portability is a good point! I am sure DS would prefer a stick insect to no pet, but I think ideally he wants something he build a bit of a relationship with. Mind you I know nothing about stick insects so I shall do some research!

OP posts:
Rudeface · 04/09/2023 14:33

I am allergic to cats so we have guineapigs During our holidays we use Guineapig hotels. One we use costs £9 for night for three guineapigs. They need to be at least pairs because they are social animals. Ours seem to be happy in their own group. During the summer we put them out on the grass and they like grass so much that we don't need to move the lawn anymore.

shivbo2014 · 04/09/2023 14:33

I think chickens. We've got rescue chickens on our allotment in a 3x4m run they are never allowed to totally free range. They're very happy, perhaps because the life they lived before wasn't great! There are foxes everywhere at the allotment We've had no problems as our run is very secure! We're just about to get some chickens in our garden as well! Added bonus is people queue up to see to them while we're away as they love the fresh eggs! I also only go and see mine once a day on the allotment as we have an automatic door!

Rollinghill · 04/09/2023 14:33

Hi, we have some white arucana? From a friend (but they're not friendly, I wouldn't bother with them again). We have rescue chickens that have been previously battery farmed. They are slow and tame.
They put themselves to bed and come out on their own accord. Ours are pretty free-range, but we have been lucky not to lose any to foxes. Rats were a problem, we now keep all feed in stainless steel bins. We have a chicken feeder that they have to stand on a step to get the lid to open. So far so rat-proof.

I'd go for the biggest Eglu you can find, they really appreciate fresh grass. If they are in one area for too long the grass will be destroyed!

shivbo2014 · 04/09/2023 14:34

I've also had bearded dragons not very friendly or cuddly. Chickens are much more sociable in my opinion and the kids love them!!

Original poster
YoshiIsCute · 04/09/2023 14:39

Rudeface · 04/09/2023 14:33

I am allergic to cats so we have guineapigs During our holidays we use Guineapig hotels. One we use costs £9 for night for three guineapigs. They need to be at least pairs because they are social animals. Ours seem to be happy in their own group. During the summer we put them out on the grass and they like grass so much that we don't need to move the lawn anymore.

@Rudeface oh I didn't realise Guinea Pig hotels were a thing! I'll have a look and see if there are any in our area as that would certainly solve the travel problem. Do they let you handle them much?

OP posts:
NoIncomeTaxNoVAT · 04/09/2023 14:39

Guinea Pigs are fab but they are very sociable little things. What about a tortoise? I know someone with a small tropical one that was out and about around the house at various points during the day and then in a tank with a heatlamp overnight.

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