I'm an American living in Sweden. A couple years ago I decided that I wanted to have my own chickens. I'm a bit of a food purist, so this was a step I wanted to make to teach my kids how to get back to the basics.
Anyways, I called the local kommun to ask if I could have chickens. They said I needed to have the permission of all my neighbours. I was gutted, as I was sure Mr. Leaf-Man would not sign. Leaf-Man has issues with our leaves blowing into his garden
So 2 years go by, with me graving to have some chickens of my own
Then one day I cut down one of my trees, as it was dangerously hanging over the area I wanted a play structure. It turns out this tree was blocking Leaf-Mans view of the water. He came out to thank me. So I called the kommun up to ask for a new form, so I could have all my neighbours sign. They then told me that things have changed. It seems that 2 months after I first called, they changed the laws so that anyone in my area could have up to 15 chickens without permission
I could have had chickens all along
So the coop and run erection began
Our property is large, and the coop and run would be on the opposite side of Leaf-Man. So I thought I would risk getting a rooster, as the people on the other side only live in that house half the year. So I got a Brahma rooster and 2 white Leghorn hens. We got them from a family member. The rooster was the 3rd rooster of their flock. He was picked on, and basically at the bottom of the pecking order. I felt bad for him. The girls were young, about 19 weeks, and had just been laying for a week or so. When I brought them home, the girls started laying right away. The rooster did not crow for several days. Then he started to, only in the morning, and never throughout the day. How freaking lucky can you get? I keep reminding my neighbours how freaking lucky they are
Being where I am located, just outside of downtown Stockholm, it is hard to find chickens without having to travel several hours away, to the more rural areas. I was, however, able to get a black Isbar hen with 21 mixed babies, all about 2 weeks old. I have quails, and soon a few ducks. I am on the water, so I have several wild ducks that are tame, but they won't lay their eggs in a reasonable area
So my life seems more complete, but there is trouble in paradise. My rooster is hoarse, so I suspect a respiratory infection. The Isbar hen has scaly leg, and 2 chicks are no longer with us. I clearly have much to learn.
Anyways, I called the local kommun to ask if I could have chickens. They said I needed to have the permission of all my neighbours. I was gutted, as I was sure Mr. Leaf-Man would not sign. Leaf-Man has issues with our leaves blowing into his garden
So 2 years go by, with me graving to have some chickens of my own Then one day I cut down one of my trees, as it was dangerously hanging over the area I wanted a play structure. It turns out this tree was blocking Leaf-Mans view of the water. He came out to thank me. So I called the kommun up to ask for a new form, so I could have all my neighbours sign. They then told me that things have changed. It seems that 2 months after I first called, they changed the laws so that anyone in my area could have up to 15 chickens without permission I could have had chickens all along So the coop and run erection beganOur property is large, and the coop and run would be on the opposite side of Leaf-Man. So I thought I would risk getting a rooster, as the people on the other side only live in that house half the year. So I got a Brahma rooster and 2 white Leghorn hens. We got them from a family member. The rooster was the 3rd rooster of their flock. He was picked on, and basically at the bottom of the pecking order. I felt bad for him. The girls were young, about 19 weeks, and had just been laying for a week or so. When I brought them home, the girls started laying right away. The rooster did not crow for several days. Then he started to, only in the morning, and never throughout the day. How freaking lucky can you get? I keep reminding my neighbours how freaking lucky they are
Being where I am located, just outside of downtown Stockholm, it is hard to find chickens without having to travel several hours away, to the more rural areas. I was, however, able to get a black Isbar hen with 21 mixed babies, all about 2 weeks old. I have quails, and soon a few ducks. I am on the water, so I have several wild ducks that are tame, but they won't lay their eggs in a reasonable area
So my life seems more complete, but there is trouble in paradise. My rooster is hoarse, so I suspect a respiratory infection. The Isbar hen has scaly leg, and 2 chicks are no longer with us. I clearly have much to learn.
