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By Vanessa Langley
6th January 2009 It would appear more and more of us are returning to the ways of our grandparents with the practice of keeping chickens in the yard. The recent downturn in the economy is easy to cite as the prompt toward a more self-sufficient lifestyle, but as there are sometimes significant initial investment in hen keeping, short-term savings are not the real driving force. Instead most people who choose to keep poultry are keen to embrace a sustainable and ethical way of getting a healthy and wholesome foodstuff from a reliable and trustworthy source.  istockphotos.com
The Eglu, the small plastic portable chicken coop that has changed the way we see domestic chickens, has seen its sales increase threefold in the last year with the number of battery hens rescued rising to over 60000 last year alone
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It is as easy to keep chickens in the back garden of an urban terraced house as it is a rambling suburban plot, and after the initial investment, is a very cost effective way to guarantee a regular supply of fresh eggs.
A good hen will lay up to 300 eggs a year, in optimum conditions, and with the average cost of around £14 per hen the sums would seem to stack up nicely.
There are various coop options starting from as s little as £99 up to the funky designer Eglu itself, which will set you back over £300. There are of course other set up costs, feeders, drinkers, food, cleaning tools and various add ons. So before even thinking about it seriously be prepared to budget at least a couple of hundred pounds to get started. And have a good look around the web for information and the best set up for you.
Chicken husbandry should be relatively pain free. You need to have the time and commitment to tend them every day. Food, fresh water, mite checking, and regular worming, safe shelter with freedom to scratch about a bit are the bare essentials and for that you will be compensated with the joy of some fascinating pets that can produce something a lot more rewarding from their rear than your average cat or dog
Considering going on a course if you can find one near you, but there are plenty or organisations willing to give helpful and supportive advice to newbies.
Henkeepers Association www.henkeepersassociation.co.uk
Battery Hen Welfare trust www.bhwt.org.uk
www.kitchen-garden-hens.co.uk
Coops www.stevefisherwoodworking.co.uk - British made coops and runs
www.henhouseworld.com - runs from £99
www.iwantchickens.com - offers packages complete with hens
www.petpads.co.uk
www.omlet.co.uk Funky designer coops and runs complete with chickens if desired.
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