[compostqueen]

I'm currently engaged in a mental battle with myself about whether to get more hens once my two three year olds have gone to the great hen house in the sky.  I am going to make a list of pros and cons and then try and make a decision based on sound reasoning and logic 

I used to be able to justify keeping them as I needed to raise eggs for my B & B. Now I no longer have that I have no reason not to buy them from the supermarket. Trouble is, not having a fresh enough egg for my poached egg on toast is unthinkable, isn't it 

PROS so far  are   I love to have the freshest of eggs, I love the hens, I paid a fortune for  the Eglu and big secure run, the manure, clearing of bugs from veg beds

Cons getting up early, the expense, worry about not having a chook sitter, daily poo pick and clean out every other day in winter when I could be having a lie-in.  It would be easier to sell all the gear and buy eggs in but I do love my veg growing and the manure just makes the best of compost

Decisions, decisions    Help 

[Springlands]

No contest - the hens win every time. 

[GrannieAnnie]

How could you even CONSIDER buying supermarket eggs CQ???  Sam and her family in the village, buy 4-6 dozen eggs a week from me, and if I don't have enough, they go without!  Even their 5 year old won't eat a supermarket egg anymore!  

I hate getting up early, my girls get up when I do, and don't poo pick or clean out quite so often, have a lie in occasionally!!!!    

[Aunt Sally]

... then try and make a decision based on sound reasoning and logic 

Oh, you are OFF TOPIC !!!!


Since when has that had anything to do with hen keeping

[rachelr]

Ok another thing is bribery I am sure there are a few teenagers around who would chook sit for you for a fair price.

I have only been doing this for a year and so I dont think I have the right to say this but I am sure I will not give up fresh eggs for convenience.

another con is that you can sell the spare eggs and that will pay for your feed

[Casey76]

Why get up early?

My hens get up when I get up, and that is usually 7:30 summer and winter!

[izzy]

just like any family member you have to give time and energy.Love my chickens

[PaulineM]

Hi
Another option of course is to buy from a local backyard hen keeper! 

[Casey76]

Hi
Another option of course is to buy from a local backyard hen keeper! 

But ther is nothing quite like picking up still warm eggs of your own.  Each day is a surprise ;D

[Sassy]

There is the satisfaction of your own eggs, watching your girls go about their business and much healthier to be up and about than lying in. It is nice to lie in occasionally though!!!!!!

[carolbriar]

I've had my hens for just over a year now and the excitement of them laying recently after a long break was a surprise to me!  I really had missed those lovely fresh eggs. I have been so pleased to find one egg in the nest box for the past three days. 
Yes, I am also wondering who will look after the hens when we go away this year but will sort something out.  I have my oh who is an early riser and in the summer he lets the girls out nice and early.  I go and clean out when I get up.  Ok, in the summer I wish them to bed earlier so I can go to bed but that only really lasts for a couple of months (thank goodness!).  I love having hens and wouldn't be without them. 

[SusieB]

I too am waying up pros and cons now I am down to zero chucks.

Cons are similar to yours, - who to look after the when I'm away.  They are in a secure run but usual free range for a minimum hour or a two a day.  I wouldn't like to suddenly stop their ranging whilst I'm away, but this is a bit much for a chicken-sitter to cope with. 

2nd and 3rd cons is the upset when they die and constantly worrying about the fox.  Finally (and smallest) con is, the last lot cost me a small fortune in vets fees.

The pros are easy, mainly, they are so entertaining, gardening is not the same without them. 

[evie2]

The hens win every time and I'm just down the road so I can hen sit

[grenhouse]

No contest! Its not even about the eggs for me anymore, they are just a bonus!

Pro's: Poo for compost, funny to watch, weed the garden, eggs, funny to watch again!

Cons: poo! (also a pro!)

[asd1]

when i was in high school i used to cat sit for a lady a few roads away she gave me £10 a week but i would of done it for free tbh so im sure you could always find someone to help look after them