Chickens, now she's done it! (cute chick content)
Discussion
Rh14n said:
Our neighbour (farmer) keeps free range chickens and clips their wings to stop them wandering too far. A couple of days ago they bought some old hens from a local chicken farm (for £2 each) and let them out, meaning to clip them in a few days after they had 'settled in'. Unfortunately, one of them hopped over our four foot fence into our garden and was duly 'dispatched' by our Springer Spaniel 
That's Springers, they're nuts. Poor girl. Ours are one week old today, and have just developed wings. It's very cute how they come out of the nesting box, and launch themselves clear of the ramp in to the run. We've also discovered that the babies love A) shredded Carrot, and B) more disturbingly, scrambled egg!
Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Sunday 2nd June 20:43
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
Rh14n said:
Our neighbour (farmer) keeps free range chickens and clips their wings to stop them wandering too far. A couple of days ago they bought some old hens from a local chicken farm (for £2 each) and let them out, meaning to clip them in a few days after they had 'settled in'. Unfortunately, one of them hopped over our four foot fence into our garden and was duly 'dispatched' by our Springer Spaniel
That's Springers, they're nuts. Poor girl. 
Rh14n said:
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
Rh14n said:
Our neighbour (farmer) keeps free range chickens and clips their wings to stop them wandering too far. A couple of days ago they bought some old hens from a local chicken farm (for £2 each) and let them out, meaning to clip them in a few days after they had 'settled in'. Unfortunately, one of them hopped over our four foot fence into our garden and was duly 'dispatched' by our Springer Spaniel
That's Springers, they're nuts. Poor girl. Black_S3 said:
you could keep an extra cock in the front garden to ward off any workmen trying to build a porch.
sorry but I can't help myself 
eta my dad had a gander called George and he would chase anyone away......had hold of the back of my aunt's leg all the way through the orchard
Edited by alfie2244 on Sunday 2nd June 20:50
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
Any hen experts on here. We've been trying to establish Mum hens breed. I've narrowed it down and think she's a Rhode Island White. Can anyone confirm?
Not an expert but she's possibly an Amber Link. We have one and she's almost identical from what I can tell. tr7ster said:
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
Any hen experts on here. We've been trying to establish Mum hens breed. I've narrowed it down and think she's a Rhode Island White. Can anyone confirm?
Not an expert but she's possibly an Amber Link. We have one and she's almost identical from what I can tell. They're now 2 weeks old, and have gone from plum (body) size to small/medium apple size. I'll get a pic up soon, s
te weather forecast mind. Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Friday 7th June 23:30
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
Useful thoughts tr7ster, we'll Google that, thanks.
They're now 2 weeks old, and have gone from plum (body) size to small/medium apple size. I'll get a pic up soon, ste weather forecast mind.
For comparison this is Connie, our Amber Link:They're now 2 weeks old, and have gone from plum (body) size to small/medium apple size. I'll get a pic up soon, s
te weather forecast mind. Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Friday 7th June 23:30
Eggs are all standard light brown and around the 60g mark.
tr7ster said:
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
Useful thoughts tr7ster, we'll Google that, thanks.
They're now 2 weeks old, and have gone from plum (body) size to small/medium apple size. I'll get a pic up soon, ste weather forecast mind.
For comparison this is Connie, our Amber Link:They're now 2 weeks old, and have gone from plum (body) size to small/medium apple size. I'll get a pic up soon, s
te weather forecast mind. Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Friday 7th June 23:30
Eggs are all standard light brown and around the 60g mark.
Chicks, now 2.5 weeks old. They look very similar, but are double the size, now have wings, and their tails are forming.
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|https://thumbsnap.com/C7fpg7U7[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/x8ppLyNa[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/jvBaJYYT[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/aQnujAE9[/url]
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/C7fpg7U7[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/x8ppLyNa[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/jvBaJYYT[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/aQnujAE9[/url]
I’ve kept Chickens, Ducks and Quail in the past. Also had a time with some Sebastopol Geese.
It is a sad fact that the Cockerels won’t be wanted. Have you considered the noise they make too? Do you have neighbours who will mind/will you mind?
Winter is st. The cold, rain, mud and filth. Keep them clean and dry as possible because they will catch colds and fail fast from respiratory infection.
I bought kilos at a time of food grade Diatomaceous Earth and used this on perches, coops, bedding and the birds themselves to prevent/rid of Mite. You’ll find a small tub in a pet shop for £7, I bought kilos online for not much more.
They are rewarding as pets on a small scale. I wouldn’t have any more than a dozen though because it will become costly in all areas. I spent hours with mine. All friendly, some even rubbed around my ankles like a cat and jumped on my lap. They love a dust bath too. Get them some litter trays.
Once you’re in a routine it’s not so bad. But don’t for one day leave them unattended. Keep food raised and stored securely because you will attract rats and they will take the hens.
It is a sad fact that the Cockerels won’t be wanted. Have you considered the noise they make too? Do you have neighbours who will mind/will you mind?
Winter is s
t. The cold, rain, mud and filth. Keep them clean and dry as possible because they will catch colds and fail fast from respiratory infection. I bought kilos at a time of food grade Diatomaceous Earth and used this on perches, coops, bedding and the birds themselves to prevent/rid of Mite. You’ll find a small tub in a pet shop for £7, I bought kilos online for not much more.
They are rewarding as pets on a small scale. I wouldn’t have any more than a dozen though because it will become costly in all areas. I spent hours with mine. All friendly, some even rubbed around my ankles like a cat and jumped on my lap. They love a dust bath too. Get them some litter trays.
Once you’re in a routine it’s not so bad. But don’t for one day leave them unattended. Keep food raised and stored securely because you will attract rats and they will take the hens.
To add... What are you going to do with 70 odd (or less if Cockerels) eggs a week? It already sounds like the neighbouring allotment won’t want any, and if they sell theirs you have competition already. I have a lot away, took them to work, but even still I found myself throwing a lot out because there are only so many Omelettes and cakes you can bake etc.
Quail eggs were a loss which was such a shame. I had 8 or so Quail and they lay daily. Waitrose manage to sell them at £3 But my uncouth friends didn’t find them a delicacy so I couldn’t even give them away. My kids thankfully loved them and took them boiled in packed lunches to school.
Quail eggs were a loss which was such a shame. I had 8 or so Quail and they lay daily. Waitrose manage to sell them at £3 But my uncouth friends didn’t find them a delicacy so I couldn’t even give them away. My kids thankfully loved them and took them boiled in packed lunches to school.
Gretchen said:
I’ve kept Chickens, Ducks and Quail in the past. Also had a time with some Sebastopol Geese.
It is a sad fact that the Cockerels won’t be wanted. Have you considered the noise they make too? Do you have neighbours who will mind/will you mind?
Winter is st. The cold, rain, mud and filth. Keep them clean and dry as possible because they will catch colds and fail fast from respiratory infection.
I bought kilos at a time of food grade Diatomaceous Earth and used this on perches, coops, bedding and the birds themselves to prevent/rid of Mite. You’ll find a small tub in a pet shop for £7, I bought kilos online for not much more.
They are rewarding as pets on a small scale. I wouldn’t have any more than a dozen though because it will become costly in all areas. I spent hours with mine. All friendly, some even rubbed around my ankles like a cat and jumped on my lap. They love a dust bath too. Get them some litter trays.
Once you’re in a routine it’s not so bad. But don’t for one day leave them unattended. Keep food raised and stored securely because you will attract rats and they will take the hens.
There are a number of cockerels on the allotment already. The guy on the one next to us, who has kept hens for decades, reckons we have 3 cocks, so we will be keeping them, and segregating them if/as necessary. It is a sad fact that the Cockerels won’t be wanted. Have you considered the noise they make too? Do you have neighbours who will mind/will you mind?
Winter is s
t. The cold, rain, mud and filth. Keep them clean and dry as possible because they will catch colds and fail fast from respiratory infection. I bought kilos at a time of food grade Diatomaceous Earth and used this on perches, coops, bedding and the birds themselves to prevent/rid of Mite. You’ll find a small tub in a pet shop for £7, I bought kilos online for not much more.
They are rewarding as pets on a small scale. I wouldn’t have any more than a dozen though because it will become costly in all areas. I spent hours with mine. All friendly, some even rubbed around my ankles like a cat and jumped on my lap. They love a dust bath too. Get them some litter trays.
Once you’re in a routine it’s not so bad. But don’t for one day leave them unattended. Keep food raised and stored securely because you will attract rats and they will take the hens.
All other good points, which I've forwarded to S.
RE their run, this thread explains how we're using a third of a massive 48x12 Greenhouse as it, with an indoor shed, a 2 foot dug out dig proof barrier, and fox proof mesh.The only decision left is if to apply mesh (bright) to the roof, or ally panels (less bright, gives them further rain proof accommodation)
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Gretchen said:
To add... What are you going to do with 70 odd (or less if Cockerels) eggs a week? It already sounds like the neighbouring allotment won’t want any, and if they sell theirs you have competition already. I have a lot away, took them to work, but even still I found myself throwing a lot out because there are only so many Omelettes and cakes you can bake etc.
Quail eggs were a loss which was such a shame. I had 8 or so Quail and they lay daily. Waitrose manage to sell them at £3 But my uncouth friends didn’t find them a delicacy so I couldn’t even give them away. My kids thankfully loved them and took them boiled in packed lunches to school.
We will try to avoid as much waste as possible, giving away to neighbours (house, not allotment) family, and by using for as much cooking/baking as possible. Eggs are great for dogs coats too, which we have three of. Any spare will sadly have to go on the compost heap. Quail eggs were a loss which was such a shame. I had 8 or so Quail and they lay daily. Waitrose manage to sell them at £3 But my uncouth friends didn’t find them a delicacy so I couldn’t even give them away. My kids thankfully loved them and took them boiled in packed lunches to school.
Monkeylegend said:
If you have a local food bank give them there rather than throw them away. That's assuming they are allowed to take them, don't want to poison everyone with salmonella. Environmental health might be able to advise.
You will probably have to mark /date them somehow.
Good thinking there, had a look on ebay, an egg date stamper is only £2.50. S just pointed out that the Chicks also love scrambled eggs, as macabre as that sounds! You will probably have to mark /date them somehow.
Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Tuesday 18th June 15:28
An update, it's been a while. We've been so busy!
Various pics of the chicks, since last posted, to now.
[url]
In the last few pics they may look a little cramped. They have a little less space than ideal ATM, maybe 40 square foot, but the photos were taken after tempting them in to the small space with treats. To the back of the photos you'll see a wooden ramp, which goes in to another run, probably 200% the size of the one in shot.
Which leads us to, the build of their big run.
The monster greenhouse has had the front room bits, front and two sides, to form a frame for their run, completing it with a home made wooden frame for the rear. this is footed with breeze blocks, will be covered in fox proof mesh, and will have metal dug two feet deep vertically around the perimeter. In the name of making it as fox proof as possible.
Here is where that is at to date, it's urgent to finish it ASAP, the inconsiderate gits wont stop growing.
Finally, we have bought this for them today, for their roost. Not to stress, new!
https://www.diy.com/departments/8x9-lodge-playhous...
We paid £100 dismantled, and it needs new windows and paint. The former is no a problem, as on their run we'll only be using 8 panes (to the left of and above of the front doors) so loads of toughened panes spare. We'll paint it something a little less child like, remove the curtains, and put a back door on it - it will likely face in to the run, with the frontage making a boundary, to the right of the greenhouse frame. Inside we'll build nesting boxes, and fit shelves and perches, which can also be used for them to get to the upper level - if needs be, it may be the case that it will be low enough to flap up to.
We'll update in due course.
Various pics of the chicks, since last posted, to now.
[url]In the last few pics they may look a little cramped. They have a little less space than ideal ATM, maybe 40 square foot, but the photos were taken after tempting them in to the small space with treats. To the back of the photos you'll see a wooden ramp, which goes in to another run, probably 200% the size of the one in shot.
Which leads us to, the build of their big run.
The monster greenhouse has had the front room bits, front and two sides, to form a frame for their run, completing it with a home made wooden frame for the rear. this is footed with breeze blocks, will be covered in fox proof mesh, and will have metal dug two feet deep vertically around the perimeter. In the name of making it as fox proof as possible.
Here is where that is at to date, it's urgent to finish it ASAP, the inconsiderate gits wont stop growing.
Finally, we have bought this for them today, for their roost. Not to stress, new!
https://www.diy.com/departments/8x9-lodge-playhous...
We paid £100 dismantled, and it needs new windows and paint. The former is no a problem, as on their run we'll only be using 8 panes (to the left of and above of the front doors) so loads of toughened panes spare. We'll paint it something a little less child like, remove the curtains, and put a back door on it - it will likely face in to the run, with the frontage making a boundary, to the right of the greenhouse frame. Inside we'll build nesting boxes, and fit shelves and perches, which can also be used for them to get to the upper level - if needs be, it may be the case that it will be low enough to flap up to.
We'll update in due course.
Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Thursday 25th July 20:37
Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Thursday 25th July 20:39
Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Thursday 25th July 20:41
Update time. Their new home was ready for them (but not finished - mainly cosmetics) a few weeks ago, when they were re-homed.
Today I finished the last bits, so here are some photos of it all, and them today, close to fully grown.
The only remaining few jobs are to fit guttering and pipe to the shed in to the water-butt, fit a second ladder up to the other nesting box, when it arrives, and to fit a few lower perches to the rear of the run. All in all very proud of it all, it was a bloody slog!
Today I finished the last bits, so here are some photos of it all, and them today, close to fully grown.
The only remaining few jobs are to fit guttering and pipe to the shed in to the water-butt, fit a second ladder up to the other nesting box, when it arrives, and to fit a few lower perches to the rear of the run. All in all very proud of it all, it was a bloody slog!
Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Thursday 29th August 20:20
Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Thursday 29th August 20:24
Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Thursday 29th August 20:39
Edited by Fermit and Sexy Sarah on Thursday 29th August 20:44
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