In our case
(in suburbia) there were rules in regard to a maximum number of six within a
residential area, and no roosters. As well as how close we could house them to
adjoining and adjacent properties. So always check where you stand.
Once in a ‘rural area’ we were able to keep more and apply for a permit
to have roosters. Funnily enough there do not appear to be any local
restrictions on other poultry species.
Here in
Queensland there are also state rules to consider regarding what numbers are
considered domestic and numbers that are considered commercial.
So knowing what you can have may affect what you
wish to do with them (It may not). But the purpose of your birds can/will affect
the species and breeds etc. as well as volumes.
So it is worth considering -Do you want them as pets? For showing? (There are a number of societies and groups around, many can be helpful in terms of sourcing stock, advice regarding health, housing, feed etc.
Do you want them as a source of eggs? If so how many?
So it is worth considering -Do you want them as pets? For showing? (There are a number of societies and groups around, many can be helpful in terms of sourcing stock, advice regarding health, housing, feed etc.
Do you want them as a source of eggs? If so how many?
Meat? Or all of the above? And this does not
just apply to chickens; it is true of most poultry.
Knowing what you want from your birds will
affect what breeds etc you invest in. And it is an investment as they provide
so much more than just food. But regardless of the variety of birds or breed
you intend to keep, there are a few things you need to consider; housing, feed,
water etc. Breeding? Incubators or not?
So here’s the link to the original page/post
about keeping poultry.
At Maes-y-Delyn we have had a few species
including Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys and Geese; with varying experiences. But
everything has/had a purpose. Be it eggs, meat or both and in the case of
geese, they served a second purpose. Making remarkable guard dogs (and visitor
warnings in general), they also make great snake deterrents. (Many local people
use guineafowl for this purpose).
They require very little food, as they graze
well and keep the grass down. Although do not keep them on patchy grass, as
they pluck it rather than snap it off. But do need a supply of water to play in
(and mate on), which will need changing regularly (if not a pond/dam), as they
are messy. They can also be aggressive (though not something we experienced)
and they are a long term process if rearing for meat.
We mostly keep just chickens now, unless rearing
a bird for a purpose (goose or turkey for Christmas dinner etc.). We breed and
rear Sussex and Indian Game (or Cornish) chickens.


We had originally planned to cross the two, in
aim of producing the ultimate dual purpose bird…it may still happen, but we
like our flocks as they are.
Breeds in particular bantams
If you’re thinking of breeding, here’s the link
for our post on candling
And sexing
There are also a few posts regarding different
techniques for processing your own poultry under the butchery labels.
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