As one of the gadget-following male population, I have always been interested in the bleeding edge of technology, forever waiting for technology to catch up with my needs. I also love to support the underdog (I think that's the British mentality coming through). Two years ago I was fixated with getting my hands on a Wii (a technically inferior device to the competition) given the edge thanks to the Wii sports game and motion sensitive controllers.
My next technology fix was following the battle of the HD players BluRay or HD -- ultimately won by BluRay in Feb 08 on the backing by the film studios and the PS3 (Sorry Toshiba). I'm getting one of these for Christmas. Next it was iPhone 3G or some other smart phone device; needless to say I went for a HTC although I'm still waiting for an iphone style device with a keyboard.
This year my latest gadget was going to be something different. Something that takes a little more effort in terms of maintenance and persuasion. One which took more persuasion with my wife than when I was 10 years old convincing my mother that an Atari ST would help me get better grades at school (I wonder how many of you tried that one). I needed to convince my wife, who already looks after our two girls, to say yes to a pair of chickens. This took a few attempts. Which I eventually (narrowly) won on the ‘it will be good for the kids' angle.
Before you decide that I am slightly barmy I have some sound logic to make my case. Firstly, pets in general are good for reducing stress levels (did I say I had two girls, one 2 years and the other 5 months)?
Secondly, they are good for kids to play with. (Apparently helping their interaction with other kids and increasing self esteem and, according to the BBC, help boost their immune system.) My problem with pets is that they are expensive to keep and make your house smell especially when they are wet. Chickens are cheap as chips (coining a phrase from the weird granny antique show chap) and taste nice with them too, they stay outside and they eat slugs. (I have a disliking for them ever since my tomato plants started to disappear in the night. More on this later.) More importantly, they give something back: eggs. And when they stop laying eggs they are placed on the Sunday table.
There are two options for the converted. If you have a large garden you can buy a house and a run and keep them in there and let them out every now and then. Or you can opt for an Eglu from Omlet. This is the urban option for the smaller garden or the trendier chicken keeper.
Convinced yet?
Common reservations:
Q. We have foxes/cats near by. A. The eglu is fox proof and you can easily make a run fox proof by placing 20cm of mesh flat around the run/hutch. Cats will sit and watch chickens but don't usually attack if they get too close they get given a back off peck. Foxes only come out early morning and when it gets dark.
Q. Our little city garden isn't big enough. A. An eglu can be used in a concrete yard so as long as you have some outdoor space you can have chickens.
Here are a few lines that might help with your other half:
The kids will love them.
They will provide fresh eggs.
We could rescue some from the supermarkets.
A few lines not to try:
If you change your mind we could give them to the cat.
They will make a great buffet for the local fox.
Don't be silly I'm leaving you to clean them out.
Good luck and happy eating.
Last Updated on Sunday, 27 December 2009 21:57
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Keeping Chickens 
