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Post by sifreynir on Apr 2, 2007 12:35:58 GMT
I wish to be as self sufficient as possible. Would love to do the keeping of chickens, pigs etc...however we have a pest in this area known as the ned.
The gardens here are quite open and will take some time to develop some hedges...particularly as the council is replacing the fencing with its usual care, attention and respect of peoples gardens.
I guess if I am completely honest I want to move elsewhere..where we have a bit more privacy. But that involves a great deal of money and mortgage and it just isn't happening anytime soon (unless anyone worked out that lottery spell), so I gotta make do with what we have.
Anyone got any other suggestions on maybe keeping hens?
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Post by Starchild on Apr 2, 2007 13:10:51 GMT
First check with the council make sure that there are no bylaws saying you can't. second, a good strong hen house with a padlock third, a chuck run which has a wore bottom to keepout foxes and rats. Chucks are by nature noisy bastids when woken in the night so if anyone tried to nick them you'll hear them. If your council allows them, don't have too many, 3-4 is plenty, and you don't need a cock unless you are going to breed from them.
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Post by sifreynir on Apr 2, 2007 15:04:33 GMT
the rats shouldn't be a problem our cats keep anything like that in constant check! They cleared out the mouse nest in next doors shed. They had run ins too with the foxes...aparently the foxes won't even look at our cats.
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Post by mickster on Apr 2, 2007 19:45:19 GMT
Ah. What we used to call 'disaffected yoofs.' They can be dealt with by squirting with unleaded petrol and applying a naked flame. Then call the fire brigade, so the other neds can gleefully attack the fire engine and the crew, whilst their now completely forgotten compatriot smoulders gently in the gutter. If that is too drastic, just lace some bottles of Buckie with a good strong laxative via a clean hypodermic throught the bottle top. Place them near the vicinity of the neds and inform them of the location of the stash. Just make sure the location is downwind of your home. ;D ;D Why not rent privately? There's some lovely rented properties here in the Kingdom of Fife. Will your next question be about how to stop the neds from using your hens as feather headresses? ;D We've got pheasants. Or should I say, the pheasants have got us. ;D Mick.
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Post by stormy on Apr 2, 2007 20:42:54 GMT
of course sometimes the whole keeping foxes out with the new keeping foxes out chicken wire, doesnt keep foxes out. if you are going for just a few chucks go for the total wired coop often, can get these on wheels so you can move them to fresh grass. we have a rat man for getting rid of rats, the stuff you buy in shops dont work after a while, because rats have cast iron bellys.
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