Chickens at Apuldram Roses
Meet the chooks who live at the nursery
We don't just sell roses, the nursery is also is a haven and home for chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, who spend their day roaming around the nursery and making friends with our visitors.
Our birds are available to buy online through Chickens To Your Door, or you can pick one up from us. We are also always on hand with friendly advice on how to look after your birds and we offer chicken boarding.
The benefits of keeping chickens
We love chickens, and have always had them at home or at the nursery. They have wonderful unique personalities and aren't nearly as silly as they’re often made out to be. If you love the idea of fresh eggs and having a free gardener on hand, maybe keeping chickens are for you?
Here's why we love our chickens!
They lay eggs
Starting with the obvious, you'll have fresh and delicious eggs which are superior to anything you get in the supermarket, and much more economical!
They have great personalities
Chickens have their own unique personalities. Some are noisy, some are quiet, some will make you laugh and some can be rather sassy! But they all bring your joy, and you'll find yourself watching your feathered friends for hours.
They're good with children
Brilliant for children, chickens are the pet that pays back. Not only are they good natured with children, they can also help to teach children where food comes from and how to look after animals' welfare, plus hunting for eggs is great fun for everyone!
They'll help your garden
Chickens eat slugs and other garden pests, plus their manure is a valuable, nitrogen-rich fertiliser that can be used to enrich garden soil and improve compost. That said, they can cause chaos, digging out newly planted plants or dust bathing in your best begonias!
Our chickens and birds
Come and visit our chickens in Chichester at Apuldram Roses. We have a range of chicken breeds, as well as geese, ducks, Frank the turkey and more! All of our chickens are bred by us and are well socialised due to their freedom to roam around the property.
Feed the chickens
We have chicken food available for a small fee if you would like to feed them, which is great fun for families and a lovely way to meet all of our birds.
Follow the chooks
Chicken FAQs
How easy is it to keep chickens?
Like any "pet" chickens are a commitment. They need fresh food and water daily, and a clean and dry house. Chickens also aren't without illness or injury, so you need to pay close attention to any changes in their health or demeanour.
Can chickens and other birds live together?
Yes. Generally chickens, ducks, guinea fowl and all your feathered flock can live together once they are old enough - from about 8 weeks old. When you first put them together, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them while they work out the pecking-order. You also need to make sure they have plenty of space so they can keep to themselves when they need to and avoid any confrontations.
How many eggs do chickens lay?
Depending on the breed of chicken the amount of eggs they lay will differ. Hybrid breeds will lay over 300 eggs a year, whilst the more ornamental breeds can lay as little as 50.
How long do chickens live for?
It depends, a hybrid chicken lives for around five years, but purebred chickens can live much longer. On the nursery, we have chickens that are up to 12 years old!