Discussion
We had 8 hens until recently - had them since 2019. A fox took 5 and a combination of red mites, avian flu lockdown and no eggs meant we passed the remaining 3 on to a friend.
Upsides were the eggs (pretty much one per chicken per day year round) - there’s nothing quite like an hour-old poached egg, plus the chickens have quite distinct personalities.
Downside was the mess (most of the time they were fully free-ranging over our 3/4 acre plot during daylight hours) - they had the whole garden but spent most of the time on the decking or patio looking in through the doors and making regular deposits!
Best things we bought was a timed automatic door to the coop, an aluminium rat-proof feeder, and drinking water dispenser - these three items meant you could leave them for a few days. 2 week holidays just involved asking a neighbour to collect the eggs and refill the hopper a couple of times.
Have fun!
Upsides were the eggs (pretty much one per chicken per day year round) - there’s nothing quite like an hour-old poached egg, plus the chickens have quite distinct personalities.
Downside was the mess (most of the time they were fully free-ranging over our 3/4 acre plot during daylight hours) - they had the whole garden but spent most of the time on the decking or patio looking in through the doors and making regular deposits!
Best things we bought was a timed automatic door to the coop, an aluminium rat-proof feeder, and drinking water dispenser - these three items meant you could leave them for a few days. 2 week holidays just involved asking a neighbour to collect the eggs and refill the hopper a couple of times.
Have fun!
Huntsman said:
We are very rural, dont see a fox often but we do have badgers mooching about and they take our neighbours hens.
We've bought a coop, I'll set it down with wire on the bottom.
In due course there is an area down the side of the garage that can be an extended run.
You will see plenty of foxes now. We've bought a coop, I'll set it down with wire on the bottom.
In due course there is an area down the side of the garage that can be an extended run.
A plastic chicken house is the answer to red mites, Nestera or Solway. They’re brilliant, easy to keep clean and don’t have nooks and crannies for mites to thrive in. We’ve never ever had red mites since we first bought a Nestera years ago.
Chickens are great for a while, but you soon realise you’re paying a lot of money for a few eggs. You will however have the best poached eggs around.
Chickens are great for a while, but you soon realise you’re paying a lot of money for a few eggs. You will however have the best poached eggs around.
I've recently acquired four chickens for the garden, kids are loving having them so far.
https://news.sky.com/story/bird-flu-measures-to-be...
Restrictions lifted from next Tuesday according to the link.
https://news.sky.com/story/bird-flu-measures-to-be...
Restrictions lifted from next Tuesday according to the link.
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