The Chicken thread
Discussion
Japveesix said:
Tenex, do you actually keep a rooster yourself or did your chicken just wander off and find one for herself?
What do you plan on doing with all the chicks once they get chicken sized?
Nice pics and a nice little story
Yes I have my own rooster. ( Pics and details further up the page)What do you plan on doing with all the chicks once they get chicken sized?
Nice pics and a nice little story
Mum is one of six chickens given to me, earlier this year. I now know why. They are completely feral.
I have never seen a chicken able to sustain controlled flight. These can.Lovely eggs if you can find the nests. They are completely free-range. About half of them roost in the shed. The others are quite happy up trees. They have a good life.
I'll probably give the chicks away when they are bigger. Lots of good homes up here.
Another one has gone 'missing'. There is a low level vermin risk here but I suspect a repeat performance.
Serves me right for just skimming through the posts, thought that one in the oven was done for!
The parents neighbours have chickens, there's a bit of a good-life arrangement between them swapping eggs and scones.
One of my friends had a batch, which the fox got most of. Lucky is still around (and named appropriatley). Since then they've had a few more lots - including some ex battery and an enormous rooster only for the fox to get them again!
I didn't realise that although they had a big run they weren't shut in a coop at night and the fox could easly clear the pen
The parents neighbours have chickens, there's a bit of a good-life arrangement between them swapping eggs and scones.
One of my friends had a batch, which the fox got most of. Lucky is still around (and named appropriatley). Since then they've had a few more lots - including some ex battery and an enormous rooster only for the fox to get them again!
I didn't realise that although they had a big run they weren't shut in a coop at night and the fox could easly clear the pen
Well done Tenex! Lovely looking ladies - I'd be happy to home some if you were local, alas I'm in Cambridgeshire.
My story:
As a child one of my favourite toys (along with Matchbox loop the loop) was my Brittains farm set, mostly the girl in the blue dress feeding the chickens. I wanted to be that girl.
I always wanted chickens and a secret garden. Now I have both.
I love my chickens.
Currently have 5 bantams, no cockerel - though neighbour now has several.
Bottom left is Heiki
She's a Serama (smallest chicken in the world) very friendly, will sit on my finger like a parrot - she's small pigeon sized. Lays daily an egg that's bigger than you'd imagine.
Top left is Guy Martin
She's so gentle and just so sweet and inquisitive. Loves a cuddle and always at Heiki's side.
The two silver coloured ones are Valentino (Valley) and Rhino. The speckled brown/gold booted bantam is Rubens.
Rubens
All lay almost daily - I keep track and have 30 eggs a week. I cook and bake a lot so they're all used.
Last few days worth
Including PH related cakes
The latter three bantams I've had from a day old. My neighbour is a sheep farmer and between us we discussed having chickens - she beat me to it and after one of hers went broody, acquired a mixed bag of fertile eggs to hatch. After asking me if I wanted some of the chicks I initially took on 5 at a day old. Brooded them under heat lamp and hand raised them in the house. My neighbour said I was spoiling them.
Unfortunately my dog took a dislike to them a year or so ago and killed two.
They now have their own 'secret' garden, aka The Rainbow Garden, with above ground pool, swing set and trampoline, with several coops and a large gated run when no one's home (about 27'x 15') all secured with 6' fencing and behind a wired up hedge with an arch and a heavy gate
Guy Martin and Heiki came to live with me a couple of months ago at POL. They've settled in brilliantly and are just so friendly. Maybe more so than my three hand raised hens who seem quite arrogant in comparison.
I really really want ducks too. Three white Campbells. I've been trawling the net for some and have found a few leads, hopefully they'll be joining us in the next few weeks.
Would also like a couple of Cream Legbars or some Columbines at some point.
My story:
As a child one of my favourite toys (along with Matchbox loop the loop) was my Brittains farm set, mostly the girl in the blue dress feeding the chickens. I wanted to be that girl.
I always wanted chickens and a secret garden. Now I have both.
I love my chickens.
Currently have 5 bantams, no cockerel - though neighbour now has several.
Bottom left is Heiki
She's a Serama (smallest chicken in the world) very friendly, will sit on my finger like a parrot - she's small pigeon sized. Lays daily an egg that's bigger than you'd imagine.
Top left is Guy Martin
She's so gentle and just so sweet and inquisitive. Loves a cuddle and always at Heiki's side.
The two silver coloured ones are Valentino (Valley) and Rhino. The speckled brown/gold booted bantam is Rubens.
Rubens
All lay almost daily - I keep track and have 30 eggs a week. I cook and bake a lot so they're all used.
Last few days worth
Including PH related cakes
The latter three bantams I've had from a day old. My neighbour is a sheep farmer and between us we discussed having chickens - she beat me to it and after one of hers went broody, acquired a mixed bag of fertile eggs to hatch. After asking me if I wanted some of the chicks I initially took on 5 at a day old. Brooded them under heat lamp and hand raised them in the house. My neighbour said I was spoiling them.
Unfortunately my dog took a dislike to them a year or so ago and killed two
. They now have their own 'secret' garden, aka The Rainbow Garden, with above ground pool, swing set and trampoline, with several coops and a large gated run when no one's home (about 27'x 15') all secured with 6' fencing and behind a wired up hedge with an arch and a heavy gate
Guy Martin and Heiki came to live with me a couple of months ago at POL. They've settled in brilliantly and are just so friendly. Maybe more so than my three hand raised hens who seem quite arrogant in comparison.
I really really want ducks too. Three white Campbells. I've been trawling the net for some and have found a few leads, hopefully they'll be joining us in the next few weeks.
Would also like a couple of Cream Legbars or some Columbines at some point.
Our three completely stopped laying in about November or so and since one has unfortunately died (some sort of wasting disease suspected to be Avian TB).
Other two are currently still healthy enough but no eggs now for a long time. Anyone else getting no eggs? (if you're getting loads can you post me some?)
Other two are currently still healthy enough but no eggs now for a long time. Anyone else getting no eggs? (if you're getting loads can you post me some?)
Two pics from the weekend:
Last of the snow in the garden:
We let the Chickos out for a wander (generally let them have free roam of the garden if we are at home):
They were being watched (Don't worry though, Kites don't eat chickens):
As for eggs, have been getting two a day pretty much everyday this winter.
Our girls haven't stopped laying at all, Perhaps because they are Ex-Battery hens?
Last of the snow in the garden:
We let the Chickos out for a wander (generally let them have free roam of the garden if we are at home):
They were being watched (Don't worry though, Kites don't eat chickens):
As for eggs, have been getting two a day pretty much everyday this winter.
Our girls haven't stopped laying at all, Perhaps because they are Ex-Battery hens?
I've got 5 chickens and although I bought my coop, I made my enclosure. Easy enough to do using roof batten and mesh wire. I've seperated it into two areas with cover for protection. I can also lock down the coop area at night
I would suggest to lay mesh on the floor of the coop area as it will stop rats digging under to get in. Also, take the food away at night.
You've got to accept that food will attract rats and so the more careful you are with where you leave it and where you store your food supply then it will cut down your problem. Here are some pictures of my set up.
I bought 3 of my 5 hens here http://www.goldenvalleypoultry.co.uk/gvp/index.htm
They are very helpful and they have some good books on keeping them.
Overall, it's great having chikens. You'll never want to eat supermarket eggs again although do remember, they need properly cleaning out once a week which takes an hour or so and you've got to go out there and feed them, look after them twice a day whatever the weather is doing.
I would suggest to lay mesh on the floor of the coop area as it will stop rats digging under to get in. Also, take the food away at night.
You've got to accept that food will attract rats and so the more careful you are with where you leave it and where you store your food supply then it will cut down your problem. Here are some pictures of my set up.
I bought 3 of my 5 hens here http://www.goldenvalleypoultry.co.uk/gvp/index.htm
They are very helpful and they have some good books on keeping them.
Overall, it's great having chikens. You'll never want to eat supermarket eggs again although do remember, they need properly cleaning out once a week which takes an hour or so and you've got to go out there and feed them, look after them twice a day whatever the weather is doing.
Good advice from Krusty, get a metal bin to keep food in,or both mice and rats will eventually find it and get in.
Clean water is essential, they do tend to leave a little food debris in the water which soon gets smelly and horrible,and sometimes even poo in the water.
Red Mite can be a problem,specially in a wooden struture,although usually it occurs when there are a large number of birds together,and there are treatments to keep it at bay.
To keep them laying consistently all year long they need 14 hours of light, either natural or artificial.
Most of all keep yourself clean,wash your hands after handling birds or cleaning out, chicken poo contains Salmonella, it laid me out a few years ago,a week in hospital on a drip and I lost 2 stone in weight.
Clean water is essential, they do tend to leave a little food debris in the water which soon gets smelly and horrible,and sometimes even poo in the water.
Red Mite can be a problem,specially in a wooden struture,although usually it occurs when there are a large number of birds together,and there are treatments to keep it at bay.
To keep them laying consistently all year long they need 14 hours of light, either natural or artificial.
Most of all keep yourself clean,wash your hands after handling birds or cleaning out, chicken poo contains Salmonella, it laid me out a few years ago,a week in hospital on a drip and I lost 2 stone in weight.
netherfield said:
Good advice from Krusty, get a metal bin to keep food in,or both mice and rats will eventually find it and get in.
Clean water is essential, they do tend to leave a little food debris in the water which soon gets smelly and horrible,and sometimes even poo in the water.
Red Mite can be a problem,specially in a wooden struture,although usually it occurs when there are a large number of birds together,and there are treatments to keep it at bay.
To keep them laying consistently all year long they need 14 hours of light, either natural or artificial.
Most of all keep yourself clean,wash your hands after handling birds or cleaning out, chicken poo contains Salmonella, it laid me out a few years ago,a week in hospital on a drip and I lost 2 stone in weight.
Clean water is essential, they do tend to leave a little food debris in the water which soon gets smelly and horrible,and sometimes even poo in the water.
Red Mite can be a problem,specially in a wooden struture,although usually it occurs when there are a large number of birds together,and there are treatments to keep it at bay.
To keep them laying consistently all year long they need 14 hours of light, either natural or artificial.
Most of all keep yourself clean,wash your hands after handling birds or cleaning out, chicken poo contains Salmonella, it laid me out a few years ago,a week in hospital on a drip and I lost 2 stone in weight.
Serious question. Why would you do this when eggs are available at a relatively low cost?
megaphone said:
Serious question. Why would you do this when eggs are available at a relatively low cost?We have 13 feathery gardeners 12 girls and Gregory the midget rooster
We have gone down the chicken tractor route where the entire run is on wheels so you can move them to different piece of grass every few days which is useful as they will destroy the grass. We also have 100meters of electric fence netting which we move around the garden so the girls have a fresh piece of ground to romp around every couple of weeks.
They are very low maintenance for us as we have a self opening door which opens and closes on sunrise and sunset. The food and water is checked daily and they appear to be eating bugger all as they are spending the entire day rooting around under trees and eating the lawn. So we are spending maybe a few pounds on food a week but we are selling roughly 9 boxes of eggs a week at £1.20 each which is cheaper then a supermarket and way better taste and fresher.
Next time you get a supermarket egg look at the sell by date and go back 29 days and you will get the date of lay.
So if you have the room i would say go for it but that said we have almost 2 acres and are 3 miles from one of the largest animal feed factories in the area so we are buying 20Kg bags of layers pellets for £7.20
We had a dozen chickens for a fair few years. My wife insisted on buying an Eglu for them, which, despite the formidable cost (although, we sold our big one on ebay for only about £100 less than we paid for it new), was a great piece of kit as it was so easy to clean out and move around the paddock.
As has been said before, the eggs from your own chickens totally outclass those bought from supermarkets. Just be a little careful during thunderstorms, as sometimes they get a bit scared and lay an un-shelled egg!
They are pretty easy to look after, with the main points being:
As has been said before, the eggs from your own chickens totally outclass those bought from supermarkets. Just be a little careful during thunderstorms, as sometimes they get a bit scared and lay an un-shelled egg!
They are pretty easy to look after, with the main points being:
- Keep food in a metal bin
- Fresh water ever day is essential
- Clean the coop at least once a fortnight (preferably every week)
- Move the food inside at night if you want to avoid rats
- Believe it or not, it's illegal to feed them scraps from the kitchen
- If one gets a little broody, either introduce a cock (fnar) or quarantine it or occasionally dunk it bucket of cold water to snap it out of it.
- If one goes off the lay for the long term (they can occasionally stop laying over winter which isn't a problem), you then need to start making decisions
We wanted to keep chickens, but what put us off was they need to be looked after every day. We go away quite often (every 2-3 months). We also spend the odd night here and there at friends. Who do you get to look after them? Like any pet they can become a tie.
Make sure you have a good think about who can look after them when you are not there. I'm sure a neighbour or friend would look after them for a weekend, but for 2 weeks they might not be so keen.
They do make good pets and the fresh egg's are great.
Make sure you have a good think about who can look after them when you are not there. I'm sure a neighbour or friend would look after them for a weekend, but for 2 weeks they might not be so keen.
They do make good pets and the fresh egg's are great.
bramley said:
I would like approx 4-5 chickens in our garden, and I want a run so they have space but don't have to roam around the garden and poo all over the lawn.
Any tips/pointers/dos/don'ts/links to good resources etc?
ta
If you want to make the entire experience as hassle free as possible, I'd (imho) suggest the following...Any tips/pointers/dos/don'ts/links to good resources etc?
ta
1/ buy one of the coops from these folk - http://www.greenfrogdesigns.co.uk/category-s/1553.... They are very hygenic, made of recycled plastic, you'll never have a mite problem and they will last longer than any wooden coop (unless the wood is soaked in creosote - a carcinogen)
2/ Buy some electric poultry mesh like this - http://www.hotline-fencing.co.uk/ You can easily move it around the garden and you'll never have to worry about foxes again.
3/ Chicken are self regulating when it comes to food, so one of these will keep them sorted for days on end - http://www.grandpasfeeders.co.uk/?gclid=CL_1nb7pjb...
4/ Buy a good drinker if a natural source is not available many around - steer away from Galv though, as sometimes when you need to worm them the wormer can react with the galv)
5/ If you really want hassle free, get an auto door opener. They are available from the above firm and also on other wooden coops.
Admittedly, the initial outlay can cost a bit, but if you keep chickens for years or have children, the cost is soon forgotten. We have 10 birds (five Scots Greys and five Silver Dorkings), two of the Green Frog Coops (Large Lodge and Large House - we use another for ducks and another for quarantine) 200M of the leccy poultry mesh around the orchard and grandpas feeders.
It all works brilliantly (for us).
All the best,
C.
julian64 said:
did you use any sort of spirit level or even a straight line when you built this, or did you do it all by eye?
It doesn't show it very well in this picture by my garden falls about 12" between the back and the front of the coop. It also doesn't look like this any more as it's braced and has a roof on it.It's far from perfect but does the job and is being replaced this summer anyway as we're getting more hens this year.
This is 'Millie and Molly' Pekin Bantams that produce an egg half way between the size of a normal hens egg and a quails egg. I'm looking at getting some more rare breed hens, just to mix it up a bit.
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