I love turkeys and would like to keep a couple, but apparently they are quite noisy? Failing that I would like a few chickens but I would like to know how much they cost to keep a year and such. Can anyone help?
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In my freezer?
quote:Originally posted by watchinittoomuch:
In my freezer?
I meant alive and in the garden, I know how to keep them in the freezer
Puppydoodoo I was watching a programme on Blighty the other day and apparantly you can buy starter kits for keeping chickens which include a coop for them and all the essentials!
I can't remember the programme though
I can't remember the programme though
quote:Originally posted by Miss_S:
Puppydoodoo I was watching a programme on Blighty the other day and apparantly you can buy starter kits for keeping chickens which include a coop for them and all the essentials!
I can't remember the programme though
Oooooh I will have a looky. thankyou
My step-brother had turkeys and I got one for Christmas. He only did it for one year though because they are really stupid. One of them drowned itself in the water tank and several others followed suit.
Get a goose. Gooses are better.
Get a goose. Gooses are better.
You're welcome - best of luck 
quote:Originally posted by Suzi-Q:
My step-brother had turkeys and I got one for Christmas. He only did it for one year though because they are really stupid. One of them drowned itself in the water tank and several others followed suit.
Get a goose. Gooses are better.
I don't think the dog would put up with a goose, as the goose would probably be more intelligent than him.
How about the neighbours 
quote:Originally posted by pretty~cocoa~eyes:
How about the neighbours
That's why I need to know how noisy turkeys are, I have no intention of getting a rooster if I have to resort to chickens.
I keep chickens and they are great for getting rid off you scraps..any peelings just boil them and the will eat it all up..a bag of layers pellets last months and you just make sure they have some sand thrown around cos they need the grit for the shells of the eggs....
Chickens are dead cheap to keep. Just a bit of layers mash, some crushed shells for calcium, and a load of boiled up veg peelings.
They bloody love meat too.
They bloody love meat too.
quote:Originally posted by Penny Gabrielwise:
Chickens are dead cheap to keep. Just a bit of layers mash, some crushed shells for calcium, and a load of boiled up veg peelings.
They bloody love meat too.
Oooooh, clever cheap chickens. Between this, less noise and the fact you can get starter kits easily, chickens are sounding better and better.
i have 3 chickens in my garden and they live off our scraps so all you need is somewhere for them to sleep 
quote:Originally posted by PuppyDooDoo:
I love turkeys and would like to keep a couple, but apparently they are quite noisy? Failing that I would like a few chickens but I would like to know how much they cost to keep a year and such. Can anyone help?
When i was a child we had chickens n 2 turkeys.Had the chickens for yrs n had lots of eggs,mum n dad told me every yr that the turkeys went to a farm where they had lots of room to run about but when i found out where the turkeys ended up i was so upset they didnt keep turkeys ever again
quote:Originally posted by Tina:
i have 3 chickens in my garden and they live off our scraps so all you need is somewhere for them to sleep
Are they friendly and happy in a small group? Some people say should keep 6 as a minimum, I'm getting a little confused.
if you get chickens .... the rats will come
awwwwwwwww 
quote:Originally posted by ilovewillyoung:
When i was a child we had chickens n 2 turkeys.Had the chickens for yrs n had lots of eggs,mum n dad told me every yr that the turkeys went to a farm where they had lots of room to run about but when i found out where the turkeys ended up i was so upset they didnt keep turkeys ever again
you can just have a trio[ there very happy and walk around together all day eggs every dayQUOTE]Originally posted by PuppyDooDoo:
Are they friendly and happy in a small group? Some people say should keep 6 as a minimum, I'm getting a little confused.[/QUOTE]
quote:Originally posted by Tina:
i have 3 chickens in my garden and they live off our scraps so all you need is somewhere for them to sleep
Are they friendly and happy in a small group? Some people say should keep 6 as a minimum, I'm getting a little confused.[/QUOTE]
I've just found a website on rehoming battery hens. Poor little babies, they can't even do normal chickeny things like roosting on a perch.
awwwwww you should get some there nice to have
quote:Originally posted by PuppyDooDoo:
I've just found a website on rehoming battery hens. Poor little babies, they can't even do normal chickeny things like roosting on a perch.
I decided I wanted to have some chickens last year..... we have 4.... and I love them dearly, they live happily in our garden in a great custon built by hubby hen-house enclosed in a 10ft by 16ft netted area.. they come out for a couple of hours each evening, longer at weekend... We have had NO problems as we know with vermin, theyre kept really clean, are very happy and supply us and friends/family with the most delicous eggs...I joined a great chicken keeping website and get loads of advice there... Every day I smile at our hens, theyre wonderful... only cockerels make lots of noise... tho when the girls lay a bigger egg than normal, they can be a bit louder...
aaah Di...i never did tell you how to hypnotise them.
I love how they can get in through tiny little knots in the wood.quote:Originally posted by The Singing Ringing Tree:
if you get chickens .... the rats will come
quote:Originally posted by *Di*:
I decided I wanted to have some chickens last year..... we have 4.... and I love them dearly, they live happily in our garden in a great custon built by hubby hen-house enclosed in a 10ft by 16ft netted area.. they come out for a couple of hours each evening, longer at weekend... We have had NO problems as we know with vermin, theyre kept really clean, are very happy and supply us and friends/family with the most delicous eggs...I joined a great chicken keeping website and get loads of advice there... Every day I smile at our hens, theyre wonderful... only cockerels make lots of noise... tho when the girls lay a bigger egg than normal, they can be a bit louder...
That's great to know, sounds like they are very spoilt. How friendly are they, do they like people?
quote:Originally posted by PuppyDooDoo:
I've just found a website on rehoming battery hens. Poor little babies, they can't even do normal chickeny things like roosting on a perch.
A few of my friends used to rehome ex battery hens, it's very rewarding.
I don't know much about keeping them other than you have to watch out for foxes!
and you can't put battery chickens straight in with other chickens you have as the other chickens will often attack them especially if they have very few feathers.
It's been a while since I did any animal rights stuff Puppy but if you want to rehome battery hens then I'm sure that Hillside Animal Sanctuary will be glad to give you any advice you need. They have a website and a lot of experience.
Also I don't know if Wendy Valentine is still around but she is a real expert on battery hens so might be worth looking up.
Good luck
quote:Originally posted by FGG Aka Crocodile Rock:
aaah Di...i never did tell you how to hypnotise them.
No, you didnt............ *waits*...
quote:Originally posted by PuppyDooDoo:quote:Originally posted by *Di*:
I decided I wanted to have some chickens last year..... we have 4.... and I love them dearly, they live happily in our garden in a great custon built by hubby hen-house enclosed in a 10ft by 16ft netted area.. they come out for a couple of hours each evening, longer at weekend... We have had NO problems as we know with vermin, theyre kept really clean, are very happy and supply us and friends/family with the most delicous eggs...I joined a great chicken keeping website and get loads of advice there... Every day I smile at our hens, theyre wonderful... only cockerels make lots of noise... tho when the girls lay a bigger egg than normal, they can be a bit louder...
That's great to know, sounds like they are very spoilt. How friendly are they, do they like people?
They sure do, especially when they carry treats in their hands...
seriously, we have 4... 2 of them love being picked up.. the other 2 run a mile.... but theyre all such gorg characters... 
quote:Originally posted by Veggieburger:quote:Originally posted by PuppyDooDoo:
I've just found a website on rehoming battery hens. Poor little babies, they can't even do normal chickeny things like roosting on a perch.
A few of my friends used to rehome ex battery hens, it's very rewarding.
I don't know much about keeping them other than you have to watch out for foxes!
and you can't put battery chickens straight in with other chickens you have as the other chickens will often attack them especially if they have very few feathers.
It's been a while since I did any animal rights stuff Puppy but if you want to rehome battery hens then I'm sure that Hillside Animal Sanctuary will be glad to give you any advice you need. They have a website and a lot of experience.
Also I don't know if Wendy Valentine is still around but she is a real expert on battery hens so might be worth looking up.
Good luck
Thankyou, from looking at the websites it does seem a shame just to buy some from a breeder. Poor little chickys.
quote:Originally posted by *Di*:quote:Originally posted by FGG Aka Crocodile Rock:
aaah Di...i never did tell you how to hypnotise them.
No, you didnt............ *waits*...
Put chickens head on the floor and draw a white chalk line from the end of its beak about 12 inches long....let go of chicken and it will sit with its head on the floor looking at the line till you move it!
Hours of fun.