Chickens are a perfect pet. We had them growing up (heaps as we were on land), but many households around us have a couple chickens in the backyard. Their children love them, they are easy to care for, and bonus – can get eggs (seeing as they are so expensive from the shop now)! Its a win, win win!

Yes I had backyard chicken for many years and loved them ! I had a fenced off area in the garden where they could potter about. The eggs are lovely and the chicken poo can go in the garden.

Yes! What a wonderful idea. It teaches children compassion and responsibility. It is also great to have a chook walking around the back yard. We had chooks as a kid and I loved it.

I would NOT but that’s just me

As long as they are ‘hens’ and not ‘roosters’ go for it!!! They are not noisy and very easy to care for. They eat pretty much all table scraps and reward you with fresh eggs daily. The kids will love collecting the eggs They make fantastic pets. I had 8 in my suburban yard. They are also great at controlling insects and slugs etc around the garden

You definitely are not allowed to have a rooster in the metropolitan area. A neighbour of ours had one that didn’t only crow ar daylight, it crowed during the middle of the night too. Chickens are no noisier than some native birds are. A couple of Pidgeons are worse than 1/2 dozen chickens. At least you get eggs from chickens. We had a chicken shed with bird wire in one section that the rain didn’t go in. We shut them in overnight becuase of prowling stray cats They had a large run which was fenced with bird wire. They were fed morning and night.

I think most kids love chicken and it’s great that you can use food scraps for feeding as well.

We had them as kids and loved it. They require s daily check – check for eggs, food and water. They can smell a little. But they don’t need walking! We had a cage that could be lifted and moved around the garden so they fertilized patches and are different grass. Maybe it can be a dad and kids project, no mums aloud:P

Check with your local council first to ensure they allow chickens in your backyard. Some councils don’t allow it.

my neighbours at the back have them and as long as there are no roosters (which is illegal in suburbs anyway) noise is not a problem. Like any pet they require daily care, fresh water and food. Unlike a dog, who may be able to stay with family or friends, you need someone to come and care for them if you go away. Make great pets.

Horses for courses, fresh eggs are great, the smell and cleaning isn’t plus their food can attract mice and rats. I know someone that has some in suburbia and to set everything up properly so that mice and rats don’t get into the food, cost a small fortune but they think it was worth it and the kids love it. Do you live close to your neighbours?

my mother in law had them loved the fresh eggs, hated avoiding the droppings all the time, also at the time we read about babies catching salmonella from poop (i think it was salmonella) anyway she read this and the chickens were re-homed the next day, due to my 1 year old eating everything in sight. i’d love to get them though.

they have their good and bad points. friends of mine have them and I think it is awful having them in such small backyards. It smells if not cleaned and looked after. Hard work, everyday they need to be tended to. If your backyard is big enough, maybe seek council advice and even talk to your neighbours. The last thing you want is grumpy neighbours complaining. On the other hand, they are great for kids and provide eggs and can eat your scraps.

Ask council and mention it to direct neighbors!!

Someone has to be home every day of the year to feed them!

Just make sure you have a secure pen for the chickens. My neighbors got 2 and they were taken by a wandering dog and so they replaced the chickens with two more and lost them to a carpet snake.

Yes, chisckens are good for kids.. Not only is it a way for you to dispose if your vegetable scraps but kids learn to look after an animal and get the reward of collectin g the eggs. Hens are best as they are quieter and won\’t crow like roosters.

I think chickens are great …you don’t need a rooster, it teaches compassion and hopefully they will be spoilt and you in return. look into it I say its worthwhile I have had them my mum has a flock.

Not sure where the photo is of my sister with one on her shoulder.

Definately….its great for food scraps to go somewhere useful other than the bin and the kids love going down and finding a egg. We are lucky that we have a big yard so our chooks have a big yard themselves but if you get 2 they dont take up a lot of room and they arent noisy except when they have popped a egg out lol

My kids have 2 pet chicks and live in suburbia.. They are quiet and easy to look after and the added bonus is eggs.1