Does anyone regret getting chickens?

[ellieroo]

If not for my chickens I might have gone a whole day without laughter!!

 

[quiltnchik]

Quote:
So true! The same for me.

 

[chickensioux]

Mine give me too much joy. No regrets here.

 

[fargosmom]

No regrets here after our first full year as a chicken family - they're great! But here's my advice - I'll agree about the drainage thing. I was really lucky that the spot for our coop is high ground, so it didn't flood in the recent torrential rains, but the area right in front of the door DID, so I had to wade through almost a foot of water to get into the coop. NOT fun. I can't change it but I'll definitely plan better when there's a next-time. Also, about the smell - as long as you can keep it dry the smell is really minimal - even on our 100 degree days it's never been bad. I've got the run covered in a couple of inches of sand, and that makes it really easy to collect the poo using a kitty litter sifter - I spend about 5 minutes every morning picking up poo and it stays pretty nice. I really wanted to make sure it didn't impact our neighbors since our lot is much much smaller than yours and so far so good.

 

[kyeschicks]

I do regret it, but the reason is that they're not the breeds that I wanted. So I'm going to get rid of my 8 chickens (which are mutts) and buy some silkies and d'Uccles and probably I wont regret it this time

 

[CityChook]

The unknown is always scary. Do your homework first (sounds like you are!) and try to predict where your weak points will be and how you will deal with them.

Chickens are no different from any other pet. They require responsibility and commitment. My chickens are significantly easier than my dog....

Be ready to spend some money to build a safe, attractive, user friendly coop/run. It's not cheap, but it's important. There are many ways to save money if you're willing to do some homework. Ask around - I had LOTS of friends with building materials to happily donate to my cause.

Be a good neighbor: Ventilate properly and keep a clean coop and you will have no smell.
Stick to your plan of 4-5. That's a perfect starter flock for a city newbie.
Avoid the rooster for now and keep your neighbors happy.
Have a plan for a pet sitter for when you'll be away.
Pick breeds that will do well with your climate/yard situation.

Chickens are a wonderful addition to my urban back yard and add joy to our family.
The eggs are a bonus. They are delicious, healthy, beautiful and as local as it gets.
I was afraid of my chickens at first (dumb, I know), but I really do love them now.

From Citychook: a card-carrying, manicured city girl/suburban soccer mom

 

[FrizzlesRule]

Not one regret here. My bantams mean everything to me. They are the most precious living things in the world to me and I love each and every one of them. And they give me plenty of yummy eggs.

 

[95yj]

I have never regretted getting my chickens for a second. But I have seen people who either have regretted it, threw a ton of money into a beautiful coop and then decided it "wasn't for them" and sold their chickens off, and people who just shouldn't have chickens. The most important thing is to think logicaly and reasonably, don't act on impulse. Do you have a place to dump shavings, if not thats ok, you can work out a solution, I know a guy who lives in the middle of a city, he has to throw his shavings away in a hasmat biological danger bag. Try to think of all the problems you could encounter BEFORE you get the chickens. As far as vacations chickens are alot easier than a dog, or even a cat. If I'm going someplace for under three days I won't even bother having anybody come over, but i do have people i can call in case of emergency. If you know anyone nearby with chickens you can tradeoff petsitting when you go away. As far as pro's and con's give it up, I'v been thinking about the pros and cons of chickens for a while and have come to the conclusion that while their are very few visibly possitive aspects of chicken keeping it still gives me lots of joy, and I really don't know why. There's just something about all my birds and the work involved in them that gives me satisfaction. Please don't be turned off by my post, I encourage you to get chickens, just think it through first. My chickens are the easiest birds I have, and the friendliest, I'm not sure what I would do without them.

 

[rhodiegal]

Chickens are very easy to keep. The only problem you may run into is letting them free range in a subdivision. They may prefer to take breaks on you or your neighbors front porch and outdoor furniture - thus leaving many unwanted presents. You would probably need to keep them cooped most of the time. And the no brainer - rooster crows make angry neighbors.

We have never had a problem with relatives or neighbors dropping by once a day to check on them and collect eggs when out of town. They love to have the fresh eggs.

The only regrets I have had with poultry were Peafowl, who perched at night on our neighbors houses yelling out at all hours and Turkeys who were obsessed with the top of our cars and the neigbors porch - where they would take cover during rainstorms. In my opinion, these birds are too big to coop up, but chickens have no problems being penned.

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
hear, hear!