Different options for me as a newbie - which would be the most effective?

hi,
I have been considering getting some chickens for quite some time, but hubby is very against it - probably as he is allergic to eggs and hasnt eaten one since he was under 2 when they realised he wasnt right with them (my opinion is that its now in his head and he is fine as he eats things that are made with eggs.....)

anyway - i guess the idea of them being at home is out of the question, i have just been reading the thread about some neighbours complaining and i can see it happening here! (used to be a semi rural area, now built up all around, we used to keep a pony here, neighbours had goats, chickens, horses etc - now its all new houses!)
 
I do however have quite a bit of land at my disposal!
I run a livery yard so have facilities there, but i also have an additional 5/6 acres elsewhere which i could use.
So, i would be wanting something that can have quite a lot of free run and be happy with this.

The 5/6 field did have some geese on for years but they seem to have suddenly vanished - which is rather concerning. there are no remains so.............. There is a nice pond there so i would be worried they would drown!

At the yard, there is about 1 fox left as the local land owner gets a guy to shoot them..... i dont like that idea but i do understand they have to be controlled etc. At this place though, i would somehow have to contain them more as despite there being more land, there is more mischief they could get upto - ie, getting into tennis court, ornamental lawns and gardens etc.

I COULD have the option of using one of my back paddocks which is further away from the ornamental gardens etc, this is maybe 2 acres and has shelters in - i would put a front on one of these as a coop.  They would have free range all day on the land, hopefully staying in that paddock!  There is no pond in this field so i guess would be better?

I would prob be looking at dual purpose chickens (but i would have to find someone else to do the deed for me!) and am also interested in having some turkeys (until Christmas.... again, would have to find someone to do the deed for me, pluck etc etc!)  I understand that there is extra precauctions i would have to take with mixing turkeys and chickens, can anyone go into more depth about these?

ALSO - finally, how noisey are they REALLY???  How far would you say they could be heard?  I am thinking i dont want to annoy anyone!

So - based on the above. What do you all think would be my best option?? And what variety, management methods etc.

I have 2 young sons and it would be my hope that as they grow up, they can take an interest in them as they seem to enjoy scrambled egg for breakfast!

Sorry for the long post and thank you for taking the time to read it

Hiya and welcome to the site!

My little girl can't have eggs, as they are or in cakes ect.  But you try stopping her egg collecting  I have to leave them until she comes home from school :blink:
So hubby really shouldn't worry too much.
Neighbours can be funny things.  We have 10 hens & 1 cockerel as long as neighbours get to have free eggies every now and then, not much to worry about.

Now as you, have a nice pond how about using it for a couple or 5 duckies.  They will give you wonderful eggs especially for baking
Chickens/ducks are no more noisier than a dog barking. and most people love to hear a chicken rather than a dog!!
Could you get electric fencing to help protect your girls from predators!?  This way they could free range to their hearts content!

Hope I've been some use with my answers there are some VERY knowledgable people on here if you need advice

Oh and good luck!!

I'm sure we can change your mind   Doesn't take long for us ducky people

Can't help much with the practiaclities of hens as I just have ducks and they lay the best eggs ever for cooking and baking! I find it hard to go back to hens eggs now! I do agree with you that your husbands "allergy" sounds like it is in his head. The proteins that start the allergic reaction will be the same in a cake or scrambled eggs but some people just don't like eggs! Maybe he would be fine with duck eggs!

I'm very jealous of all the space you have. I'm sure whatever you go with they will have laods of space to make the most of.

Now you've done it Vember and Kate will be paying you a visit if you're not carefull - they visited Rob the other day and he's now having ducks after lots of persuasion despite his so called protestations 

In many respects ducks need the same things as chickens but are generally a lot less fussy. The need locking up at night and protection against predators like foxes. They are a lot less fussy in terms of housing. They don't need anthing with perches and nest boxes. Mine just have a converted garden storage chest. They are much less prone to illness than chickens.

I love mine and would never be without them.