Light in chicken Coops

[RedThorn]

ooooeeeerrrr you're gonna start a war here lol

each person like different breeds, I have 5 ex-batts, a heritage skyline, a coral reef, a light sussex and the chicks are 2 amberlinks and 2 blackrocks So a total of 8 big girls and 4 chicks....

[MaureenHall]

Hi Gemma and a huge big welcome to chookaholics anonymous You'll wonder how you ever managed without chooks once you've got them Like the others have said, if you want a garden to be weeded and de-slugged, use chickens ............. but they're not selective in what they eat or dig up!

I've got a big soft spot for Bluebelles, I've got 4 of them and did have a cockerel till a week or so ago so they've given me some beautiful chicks, though being a hybrid bird, the chicks are a right mixed bunch! I think they were about 22 weeks old when they first started laying, but they do lay every day once they've started. I've also got 11 ex-batts, 2 Welsummer girls, 1 Jersey Giant, 1 Black Minorca, and 5 chicks

If you've read through other threads on Rule the Roost, you'll gather that pictures and updates are (almost) compulsory (cos we're a nosy lot )

[RedThorn]

here here Aunty Mo! lol Pics are very much appreciated!

[gemtheblonde]

Hi Gemma and a huge big welcome to chookaholics anonymous You'll wonder how you ever managed without chooks once you've got them Like the others have said, if you want a garden to be weeded and de-slugged, use chickens ............. but they're not selective in what they eat or dig up!

I've got a big soft spot for Bluebelles, I've got 4 of them and did have a cockerel till a week or so ago so they've given me some beautiful chicks, though being a hybrid bird, the chicks are a right mixed bunch! I think they were about 22 weeks old when they first started laying, but they do lay every day once they've started. I've also got 11 ex-batts, 2 Welsummer girls, 1 Jersey Giant, 1 Black Minorca, and 5 chicks

If you've read through other threads on Rule the Roost, you'll gather that pictures and updates are (almost) compulsory (cos we're a nosy lot )

hi and thanks for the welcome!!!

Iv only been on here for an hour and i LOVE IT!

oh most deff will be up for the pics and updates - i too am extremely nosy! and i have had a wee look through previous posts! love posts with pics! lol

im hoping the ladies will do a good job weeding! went away for a fortnights holiday and it must have rained solid while we were away - weeds are taller than i am!!

Gemma

[gemtheblonde]

lol a war is good red thorn as then i get to know whats best! i really want some ex batts but i have heard they are tricky for the first timer? also would have a clue where to get them as i checked the battery hen welfare site and signed up for an application but there doesnt appear to be a collector (persson you gets the chickens for me!) in my area.

am having issues finding chicken feed that doesnt cost a fortune too! thankfully there was a woman selling her chicken coop (never used either) 2 streets away from me so i have gotten that a bit cheaper! love a bargain!

[Suechooks]

I love Warrens - they're the little brown jobs that go in to battery cages. I've got 4 of them (pre-battery!) plus 3 ex-batts, a Bluebelle, a Sussex, Black rock, Speckledy and an Amber link. I think the Warrens, Black Rock and the Amber link are the best layers but really its down to personal preference as they're all bred to lay a good number of eggs specially in their first year.
Try horse places for feed - they usually stock chook food as well.

[RedThorn]

I started with ex-batts, but it is a personal choice. if you want a war, let me help you start one , any egg shell colour you would particularly prefer?

I also get my food from a horse feed stockist.

[gemtheblonde]

I started with ex-batts, but it is a personal choice. if you want a war, let me help you start one , any egg shell colour you would particularly prefer?

I also get my food from a horse feed stockist.

lol funny you should ask! OH wants blue eggs and i dont really mind but would be pretty interesting to have blue ones!

also interested in the white ones too as the only ones i have ever seen are the tesco kind!!

[Glutton4...]

Hi! Not sure I should interrupt though!

I've had Chooks for just under a year, and a million thanks to all on here for their encouragement (especially Maureen ). I wanted 10, but my coop would only take 8 - I now have 20

You will learn FAR more on here than in books - everyone here shares their information and experience on here, which is wonderful. But, be warned: it IS addictive!

I'll have a bet with you...

You WILL end up with more Chickens than you originally planned!

Welcome to the Madhouse LOL

[RedThorn]

don't take her bet! I was only gonna have 4.........

[gemtheblonde]

Hi! Not sure I should interrupt though!

I've had Chooks for just under a year, and a million thanks to all on here for their encouragement (especially Maureen ). I wanted 10, but my coop would only take 8 - I now have 20

You will learn FAR more on here than in books - everyone here shares their information and experience on here, which is wonderful. But, be warned: it IS addictive!

I'll have a bet with you...

You WILL end up with more Chickens than you originally planned!

Welcome to the Madhouse LOL

well im already at more than i expected and i havent even got them yet!!! was meant to be getting 2 but then realised that 3 was better as the pecking order would be more established? sumthing like that anyways - i tell myself this as then that way i get my own way and OH cant say anything about it!

so you win the bet!

thank for the welcome! feels good to know i can come on and ask silly wee questions and sum1 might help me out rather than trawl thru books and still not know! am still going to buy a book tho - just in case!!

Gems

[Glutton4...]

Books are treasure (and they give me an excuse to buy lovely old bookcases on eBay LOL!) but there is sooooo much info to be had for now't - most questions you will have as a beginner will have been covered already (mine were), so make use of the search facility on here - it certainly saved me asking a few daft questions and making a twerp of myself (shut up Steve! ) most of the time!

Get a small stool or chair to put in your Chook run, then you can sit and chat to them, and within a few days, one or two will hop up on to your knee and have a cuddle - they love it!

[gemtheblonde]

oh thanks for the tip! i will be sure to take my folding chair into it, have always had a bit of a bird phobia to be honest but iv taken a shining to to this idea in a big way and im hoping its going to stop any developing phobias! b4 i would have thought the idea of a chicken sitting on me repulsive but now i think its so cute and hope they will do it!!

thanks for the tips guys - bed time now!

will no doubt be in touch with another daft question sooner or later!

Gems

[Eco-Chic]

My name is Jackie. I have been enslaved by my 3 chooks for six weeks. I have just purchased a second coop which will be filled sooner rather than later.

I read the entire forum with the exception of egg hatching (44 pages at that point) and it has proved much more illuminating than the 4 books I read, enjoyable though they were.

Welcome. Chooks are sweet and fun but like any pet they're a worry when they're unwell, but the folk here are knowledgeable and helpful so get chooking.

ps Cream Leghorns and Aracaunas lay blue and blue/green eggs

[steve'n'sal]

we wouldn't ever bother with lights. We think the layers need a break in winter, the non layers (silkies, favs etc) make up for the layers not laying through winter. So we get a steady supply through the winter, the layers will all start in spring again whilst the silkies go back to what they do best (go broody)