Are Chickens right for you
Before you begin, it's important to understand that chickens require daily care and attention, similar to that of a dog or cat. Prior to purchasing hens for first time, consider the essential commitments you'll need to make to ensure well-being and avoid any welfare concerns:
Do your checks first.
Do you have the time?
As a minimum you need to visit chickens twice per day, usually once in the morning to open their coop, check their wellbeing and top up food and water, and again at night to close their coop so they are secure from night-time predators. The chicken coop will need weekly or every other weekly cleaning.
Who will look after your chickens if you go away?
You cannot leave chickens when you are away from home overnight. It would be best if you had a plan for looking after your chickens whilst you are away. we here at WFP do provide a lodging service if you go away.
Can you provide them with secure housing?
The chicken coop and run needs to be secure, not only to keep your chickens in but also to keep predators out. The main predator for chickens in the UK is the fox and badgers, both are generally night-time predators. There are high numbers of urban foxes in our towns these days too so always make sure coops are secure and don't really on timed coop doors always check that all the hens have gone in at night.
Is your garden/backyard secure?
If you intend to let your chickens free-range, is your garden or back yard secure? As well as keeping them safe from a stray dog or fox that's passing through during the day, you are not allowed to let chickens roam off your property. Neighbours do not appreciate chickens scratching up their flower beds and leaving droppings on their garden path!
Are there any rules preventing me from keeping chickens?
In the UK there are sometimes house deeds or covenants on rented accommodation but in general, there are very few restrictions on keeping hens. always check with landlords or housing associations before taking the plunge, also check with some allotment if your thinking of keeping them here as some allotments don't allow livestock.