[Pertelotte]

HENS! HENS! HENS! HENS!

My neighbours will chicken sit for egg collection rights.

Can you really contemplate not having chooks on the premises?

[compostqueen]

Thanks for the offer Evie2   

I suppose I can put off making a decision until the day arrives when I've got no hens left.  I had thought of just buying them from a local hen keeper but I've yet to find one.
Another Con is the fox!  My girls were dragged about by a fox and I know from the tracks in the snow that's we still have them 

[Aunt Sally]

We all have foxes CQ !!!

[hillfooter]

You can't reduce this decision to logic it's an emotional decision.  If it were just about them giving me eggs i wouldn't bother but they give me so much more like any pet.  If you don't see it this way don't get chx find a source of free range eggs there's plenty about.

You can reduce the cleaning tasks to an average of 3 minutes a week with a well designed house and there's no need to poo pick ever.  An auto pophole opener & closer will give you a lie in or a night out and will help with the chicken sitting and fox security.  An electric fence will pretty much solve the fox problem.  So most of your cons can be solved. 

I like to spend the time I have with my birds enjoying them not being a slave to them and it can be done without them suffering at all.
HF

[GrannieAnnie]

I think that where animals are concerned, if in doubt, don't!  But I would miss my girls and boys if they weren't there.

[Jeanette]

Hens every time.

[evie2]

Foxes I know, that's how I lost my first chooks  

What we need is a Llama, apparently foxes a scared of Llamas not sure the council will be that sympathetic though

[Foghorn-Leghorn]

I can't imagine my garden (or my life!) without hens in it...  They're just so enriching in such a simple way.  It's hard to put into words but having hens around just feels right somehow.

As others have said - logic can't apply on this one! 

[Pertelotte]

Despite having come out earlier on one side of the fence, you might be able to do both!

Just a suggestion, mind.

As sad as it is, the fact that your girls are gone to a better place doesn't necessarily mean you have to get rid of your equipment. Keep it safe - it"ll not require feeding - and see how it goes. You'll find yourself at first swaying like a pendulum to both options. Give it a bit of time and you'll see what it is you really want to do.

I hope you work it out and wish you the best of British.

Pertelotte x

[orchardlady]

My husband reckons he'll come back as a hen....he might get some attention then.

OL