Exciting News!!!

[matthew2riches]

Now... I shouldn't be telling you but I just had to

I have been liaising with a production company for a while now with regards to producing a DVD on keeping chooks in the back garden.

We have the basic structure in place and we're now researching into what people would like to see on the DVD. Think of this post as educational & research and not just gossip

You'll probably guess that I am tied with very tight ropes on what I can reveal

Any ideas?

[kirsty b]

Good chookie housekeeping - and maybe a basic 'set-up' list that peeps could get ready for when chooks arrive.

Stuff like louse powder, mite powder, good disinfectants for house cleaning, recommended bedding.

Advice to suit all budgets too may be helpful.

Common pests/illnesses, Obviously a lot depends on how long this DVD is going to be!

EDIT: well done

[di]

Everything Kirsty says!

Maybe also you could do little demos of dusting a chook down for lice/mites.Maybe also wing clipping.

Good Luck with it


Andi will hopefully drop your inci off after work tomorrow...he had to meet a friend that took Buffy away tonight.

[flighty1]

I know this might offend some but a section on killing sick or injured birds might prove useful as somebody has made inquiries about how to do this on another posting. I fully appreciate it's not the nicest of topics but if we keep livestock then we MUST have their welfare at heart & humane despatch is part of respecting the stock we have in our care.

[di]

I think that's a really good point Flighty.

[organic]

Being a non-chook-keeper at the moment I can only agree with everything that's been said so far - especially Flighty's comment. I agree completely about humane dispatch being part of keeping livestock and really it is something we should be ready to do.

I'd be inclined to suggest some sort of "troubleshooting" section for each of the main areas. Chook acting wierd? Soft eggs? Egg eating? Pecking? For things like that, a prod in the right direction to figure out what the problem is (and a way or two to solve it) would be good.

I dunno what your intentions are, and I'm sure it wouldn't be for everyone - but a section on slaughter and preparing a bird for the pot might be worth including. That's starting to get into areas I suppose some would find off-putting though.

It might be worth spelling out that hatching means getting male birds which has implications (culling, giving them away, selling and the likes) so people don't go into it without really thinking it through and being prepared for what might be.



That's the kind of stuff I'd like to see in a DVD - but I do have a rather utilitarian (not to mean I don't consider the importance of welfare above all else, because I do) view of livestock which many keepers of chooks simply don't share, they seeing them more as pets that pay for their keep rather than stock as I see them. I don't know if there's a way to provide for both kinds of newcomer in one DVD, but there you have my ideas on it all anyway.

Good luck with it all when it comes time to shoot.

All the best.

[Florence Fennel]

Well done Matthew! I don't have any chooks, but I'd be interested in this kind of DVD to see if there is a possibility I could cope with them. Basics please!

[piskieinboots]

Whooop Matthew - well done you

I don't keep chucks and probably won't be able to until Snowdrop hangs up his uniform and we move into the real world - but it is on my game plan

[shirlthegirl43]

Well done you!

Can I suggest you point out the destruction chooks can cause - I am sure there are people who really think they will still have grass if they let their chickens free range round the lawn Our garden is muddy proof that they won't ('tis OK though - I knew they would trash it and it was all part of my long-term garden makeover plan)

[Nicos]

What about different types of chooks- eg those with calmer temperaments for peeps with kids etc??

Mention of different coloured eggs- and sizes.

How about a free leaflet/small booklet available with a voucher from inside the DVD with info you wanted to include, but didn't have space for?

Oh- and how to give a syringe of antibiotics without choking the chook?

As far as the dispatching goes- I think it depends on your target audience.

I wouldn't really want a child to see the dispatching of a chook without prior warning. (part of the respect for it's death is tied in with eating it afterward- separately could come across as rather violent maybe???) I agree it should somehow be included...how about a second DVD covering all the health care issues- sort of twin pck DVD????

Do we get a mention/freebie for our contributions?????

...don't forget to include my resuss story!!!!!

[Flummery]

I think it would help people if it covers chicken houseing - good points and bad points - cleaning and mite-dusting a house. The run - fox proofing, the benefits of a covered and walk-in unit. Flooring for the run. Handling the birds. Poultry feed - not too much treats - additives in the water. Pros and cons of mash or pellets. Basic articles to buy before getting your chooks - feeders, different kinds - drinkers - posh/bucket. Poultry spice, garlic powder (I used real garlic) mite powder - louse powder (bought this and it's still unopened - I should be grateful!) limestones flour. What are they for? When do you need them. Crushed baked eggshell. Soluble and insoluble grit - why they need each.

Destruction of garden by free-rangers. Space needed for non-free rangers (they often don't get enough) Feather pecking - reasons (see previous sentence!). Soft shelled eggs. Maybe the auto pop-hole opener (wouldn't be without mine!)

The lists's potentially endless. These are all the things I had to find out by researching on-lin and in books before we bought ours. Your DVD would have let me have my chooks 6 months earlier!

[winstonwobble]

Great idea would have been really usefull when i first got mine good luck with your project

[stella]

looks as if you have enough for a full length film

[lizzylemon]

Cool! How egg-citing (well someone had too) for you. You must be made up I can't really add anything that hasn't already been said I don't think. Or maybe something about how it's not as easy as it looks and whats happens when they eat the wrong type of grasses and end up with impacted or sour crops.

Also, my SIL is looking for work with a production company.........

[its hilly]

Yay, go Matthew.
All I would add as a thought, check the roost for the most frequently asked questions.
Also how about a mention of the differences between pure and hybrid birds, ie do you just want eggs/meat or the above plus support your rare breeds.
And a mention of the different types of place you can buy chooks and the pluses and minuses (like take a big wallet to auctions) and how to tell a good healthy bird from one that isnt.
Three hours or so might do it Dont forget the government health warning on the outside..chooks can be seriously addictive