Allotments 4 All

it's causing lots of bother, our 'communal' chickens have turned into 4 out of 12 people doing everything.
we discussed it at the time, all agreed, very enthusiastically to look after them in a rota
one by one, people have fallen off, as i say, 4 of us doing it all..we may have to find somebody to look after them, really upset about it all but we can't look after them on our own, there are some mornings and evenings we can't get there..advice please  :-\

Can you convene a meeting & see what's going on with the others. It would be a shame as you seem very fond of them but obviously things have to change.
Janet

That's typical of what happens in every voluntary group unfortunately.

we've spoken to two others and they feel the commitment on the 4 of us is getting too much, especially as we also have other projects the 4 of us seem to be involved in,
when we got them, there were 10 people fighting to let them out , feed them and put them away, now we have to split it 4 ways, plus cleaning and checking for eggs, we live 20 minutes away by car and have other commitments . can't see a way out  . anyway, having a chicken chat at the weekend :-\

Hi MS. I hope it comes to a happy conclusion for you.
Janet

Do the cheeky Bu**ers get a share of the eggs? It sounds a bit of a chore if you've to drive 20 minutes its a shame but i can't see an alternative. Its never good having animals and having to rely on other folk.

anyone who looks after the chooks gets 6 eggs for 50p, anyone else pays 1.00..had a talk today, it's 3 out of the 5 for it, 1 against, remembered there's another chap who does them sometimes, too

Is it hard Keeping Chicken Thought of it a few times my self !!

I rember when i was young there were some in out garden But i was only small then !!

They are easy to keep but do like a routine and need checking a couple of times a day - the commitment is the hard part same as any pet

I'm sorry you are having problems MS  :(what a shame the others did not keep up their end of the bargain and that they are going to ruin it for the rest of you  >:(

any ideas, folks..we are split, 2 for keeping, 2 for letting go and me  ???
how would I go about finding them new homes, they're 16 ex battery, most laying, as healthy as you would expect,
feeling a little sad  :-\

I wouldn't think you would have to many problems rehoming, if it comes to that. Could it be advertised at the plant sale? Don't know what it's called when you  can collect them, but they aren't very often I don't think. I hope it doesn't come to that so you won't feel sad.
Janet

Hi Manics,
Have a look on down the lane website, Theres often lots of people looking for hens on there and many have experience of ex batts.
Best of luck
Al

good idea, a137, I think I'll get in touch with the hens welfare that we got them from, they might have some ideas  :)

I think I am right in saying both BHWT and HRUK currently have waiting lists so with a bit of luck they may find someone in your area.

just sent adele an e mail, asked for her advice

Oh manics sorry to hear you might have to give up your girls!  :-X

Think I'd name and shame!!!  Hope you manage to get things sorted out.  If you have no luck I might have a couple of options for you ... pm me if you need to  ;)

I'm sure I'll attract another load of criticism with this question, but could you not reduce the amount of visits that you make to the chooks, for example doubling up their feed and water hoppers?

You also mentioned letting them in and out, could you make the run totally secure and let them decide when it's bedtime etc?

Jon

we've already done that, the pop door is left open now during the late spring through to the autumn, it's holidays and colder weather later on that will be a problem..anyway, adele has e mailed me back, she can re-home them on 9th may if we can get there

Sorry to hear that, as we are just starting out on our adventure with chooks, but it is down to Husband and I only to do all the looking after so no problems there.

found someone with a smallholding who would like to take the girls in a couple of weeks   :-\
she just wants a pygmy goat to finish it off  ;D