Top Ten Tips for City Chicken Converts

The quest for perfect poultry is a road littered with hurdles. Add to that an urban location and you will encounter numerous barriers both socially and logistically even before you collect your birds. As a London based poultry fanatic, I am testimony to the challenges involved with keeping backyard chickens. In an attempt to disseminate the sea of information and advice available, I have put together my top ten tips for keeping chickens in a city garden.

1. Do not get put off by prejudice When I acquired my nine beautiful birds, the feedback from my friends was not always favourable. It is a challenge for outsiders to view chickens as pets and on the flip side, farmers often criticise for humanising the birds. Do not get put off. Poultry can bring endless pleasure and delight and unlike a cat or a dog, are pets that give back. Keep your eyes on the eggs and don’t forget to enjoy the friendship provided by your feathery playmates. Media support is growing from champions such as Jamie and Hugh and it will not be long before poultry will pop up on your neighbour’s patio.



2. You do have enough space Whilst it is important to provide enough space for poultry to flap, peck and live a happy life, chickens fit surprisingly easily into an urban garden. The general rule is one square meter per chicken; therefore most city gardens can accommodate a few birds. A basic coup is not costly and companies such as Omlet offer attractive enclosures built specifically for those keeping chickens at home.



3. Shop online for feed to avoid the travel Chicken pellets are not readily available in Tescos or Sainsbury’s and it can be difficult to find a local supplier. There are alternatives that will deliver directly to your door without heavy costs. Both Flight of Fancy and Omlet offer the option to shop online and provide the full range of poultry supplies required to keep birds healthy and happy. The choice and variety you can find online will enable you to satisfy birds of all ages.



4. Birds can survive without all the supplements Any poultry forum or well regarded chicken fanciers book will lead you to believe birds are complicated to keep. From poultry tonic to garlic powder, the list of supplements on offer is endless. There is no need to stock up unnecessarily. Chickens receive all the nutrients they need from pellets purchased from a reliable source. Any extras can be added if and when you feel your birds need a boost. Humans do not need a cocktail of multi-vitamins to flourish any more than chickens need poultry spice to survive.



5. Entertainment is important Chickens are more intelligent than we are led to believe and keeping them amused will keep them healthy. This need not be costly and just a few additions to your coup can transform it into chicken heaven. A litter tray filled with sand provides a dream dust bath. Some old CDs tied up with string can serve as a perfect pecking toy. Even an old plastic bottle filled with meal worms can keep the average chicken amused for hours. A bored bird can turn aggressive and feather pecking can be hard to stop once the behaviour is learnt.



6. It is ok to spoil your birds Chickens love an afternoon treat of some meal worms or veg. This can serve as a healthy addition to their diet. Suitable treats for chickens include broccoli, which they love to jump up and peck, pasta, garden worms, grapes or corn. Chickens are fine with most kitchen leftovers. Just remember to steer clear of uncooked potatoes and lettuce



7. Chickens are hardy When we first adopted our birds the slightest squawk or malformed droppings left us running to the vets. Luckily, we were always sent home with the all clear. If you suspect your bird is unwell then seek help but do not worry on a day to day basis. Chickens are surprisingly resilient and can brush off the odd bump or peck from their feathery playmates.



8. Do not be fooled by sexing myths If you choose to opt for chicks, it is paramount you bear in mind you could end up with a flock of cocks. There are numerous theories about sexing birds – some with more validity than others. An expert may be able to vent or feather sex but this does not carry 100 per cent accuracy. I have heard may a tale of highly experienced poultry keepers miss-sexing up to even six months. The only way to tell for certain is to purchase auto-sexing chicks or wait for the inevitable egg or cock-a-doodle-do.



9. Multiple breeds can live happily together If, like me, you are of an indecisive nature, it is near impossible to select just one breed to nurture. I myself chose nine different breeds from a Silkie to an Orpington and they all live in complete harmony. To be safe and ward off feather pecking, it is recommended birds of a similar weight are kept together. However, the smallest of my birds is one of the highest on the pecking order and each flock is very different. The one rule is not to mix chickens with bantams although some still succeed against all odds.



10. Access to information is at your fingertips Living in the age of new technology means we do not need to travel to the local poultry farm to have expert help on hand. There are numerous forums which you can consult and usually receive and answer within minutes. The best for backyard chicken lovers in my experience is the Omlet Club Forum. Most breeders are also happy to offer advice and support and are usually contactable via email.