Dear Linda, It’s natural to feel unsure when trying something new, especially with little ones and other pets involved. It sounds like your daughters are quite keen, which is lovely! Let’s address your concerns step by step, keeping your Sandton home, dog, and cat in mind.

How Difficult is Keeping Chickens?

Honestly, Linda, keeping a small flock of two or three chickens in an urban backyard isn’t overly difficult, but it does require a consistent routine and some initial setup. Think of it like having other pets – they need daily care, a safe environment, and a bit of your attention. However, it’s generally less involved than caring for dogs or cats.

Addressing Your Specific Concerns:

  • Never Having Chickens Before: Everyone starts somewhere! As mentioned, the daily tasks are quite manageable: providing fresh food and water and collecting eggs. And when it comes to keeping their home tidy, you’ll find that maintaining a clean henhouse is a breeze with GardenStuff’s chicken coops. It mainly involves changing the bedding in the easily accessible nesting box occasionally and emptying the convenient droppings tray under the roosts. The learning curve is gentle, and resources like our “Keeping Chickens 101” on www.chickencoops.co.za are designed to guide even absolute beginners. Some of your daughters’ school friends with chickens in their backyards may use a coop from GardenStuff!
  • Hesitation: Your hesitation is entirely valid. Introducing livestock into your urban environment is a thoughtful decision. The fact that you’re considering it shows you’ll likely be a responsible chicken owner.
  • Living in Sandton: Sandton, much like most other municipalities in South Africa, generally permits keeping chickens as pets in backyards. While you’ll likely find that restrictions might be in place regarding noisy roosters or the maximum size of your flock, keeping two or three hens for eggs should typically be perfectly fine. It’s always a good idea to quickly check with your local municipality to confirm the specifics for complete peace of mind.
  • Having a Dog and a Cat: This is a widespread concern, and it’s something to consider. However, many people successfully keep chickens with dogs and cats. The key is careful introduction and ensuring the chickens have a secure space.
    • Dogs: Some dogs have a strong prey drive, while others are more curious or playful. Introducing your dog to the chickens slowly and under strict supervision is crucial. Keep the chickens in their coop and run initially, allowing your dog to observe from a distance. Reward calm behaviour and gently correct any signs of aggression. With patience and consistent training, many dogs learn to coexist peacefully with chickens, sometimes even becoming protective of them. A secure run ensures the chickens’ safety, especially when you’re not around.
    • Cats: Cats are often less of a threat to adult chickens, especially larger breeds. Their curiosity might lead to some initial investigation, but they usually lose interest. If you start with hens that are already a good size, your cat is less likely to see them as prey. A sturdy coop and run will also provide a safe haven for your chickens.
  • Choosing Chickens: While many wonderful chicken breeds are available, for your first foray into chicken keeping, we highly recommend starting with two or three Point of Lay Lohman Brown hens. They are hugely popular because they are easy to source and are known for being good egg layers. Best of all, at around four months old (referred to as ‘Point of Lay’), they are ready to start laying eggs soon after you bring them home. It avoids the more involved process of raising chicks.

Making it a Positive Experience for Your Daughters:

Having chickens can be a fantastic learning experience for your daughters! They can be involved in feeding, egg collecting, and general care, teaching them responsibility and where their food comes from. Seeing their school friends with chickens likely means it’s becoming a more accepted and even popular activity in urban communities.

Taking the Plunge with Confidence:

Linda, while there’s an initial investment of time and resources in setting up the coop and getting your first chickens, the daily maintenance is quite manageable – certainly less demanding than looking after dogs or cats. The joy of collecting fresh eggs, the educational value for your daughters, and the unique charm of having these gentle creatures in your garden often outweigh the initial concerns.

We genuinely believe that with some preparation and the right resources, you and your family can successfully and happily keep a small flock of chickens in your Sandton backyard.

As a helpful next step, please look at our informative “Keeping Chickens 101” on www.chickencoops.co.za. It delves into all these aspects in more detail, offering practical tips and advice to guide you through every stage. You might find it answers many of your questions and helps you feel much more confident about giving it a go!