Brand brand new girls and owner

[PatchyPauline]

Hi there - I have just last Tuesday taken delivery of my eglu and 2 chooks. I realise reading all these messages that this is very much at the beginner end of things but we all have to start somewhere! We intend asap to fence a bigger area for them so that I can leave them out in a better space when at work. Am trying to introduce kitchen bits for them as a treat in the afternoon but the only thing they really like is when I dig up some worms! Have read loads about the subject but this seems a better way to find things out so look forward to taking part. Am also a novice at this messaging thing so won't have any attachments until I can work it out ...
Pauline

[ginger ninger]

Hello Pauline and a warm welcome to the vine.

[Flummery]

Hi Pauline and welcome. If you are leaving the chickens out in a bigger area while you are at work, remember that chickens can fly and foxes can climb! Don't want to frighten you but I keep my four in a fairly big roofed enclosure except when I'm in the garden with them.

You'll never look back though. They are a brilliant animal to keep as a pet, so inquisitive and interesting to watch. And you won't believe the eggs - absolutely unlike shop eggs!

[PatchyPauline]

Hi Pauline and welcome. If you are leaving the chickens out in a bigger area while you are at work, remember that chickens can fly and foxes can climb! Don't want to frighten you but I keep my four in a fairly big roofed enclosure except when I'm in the garden with them.

You'll never look back though. They are a brilliant animal to keep as a pet, so inquisitive and interesting to watch. And you won't believe the eggs - absolutely unlike shop eggs!

Thank you so much for the welcome reply - if I put the wire across the top as well presumably that will be ok?
On another point can anyone tell me what basic 'health' products I should buy in preparation and website or shop? I am still a bit nervous about doing my first health check!
Thanks - Pauline

[Flummery]

Yes, wire across the top will secure the birds. You feel as if you are making them prisoner but that's better than a fox dinner! Several people here have lost chickens to neighbourss dogs too.

I bought Barrier Red Mite Powder - I use this in the house each time I clean it. Mixed grit - I scatter this in the evening in their run - they need the stone grit to grind food in their gizzard and shell grit for calcium for shell strength. I also bought Apple Cider Vinegar - they stuff you get in farm or horsey shops. This is good for their digestion and makes the gut hostile to parasites. I also occasionally crush a garlic clove and chuck it in the water.
I also bought some Louse Powder but touch wood, haven't needed it. Poultry Spice is useful - it contains extra minerals and is good if you have a chicken under the weather or when moulting.
I'm sure I'll think of something else - or the others will!

Ah yes, you will need to worm them a couple of times a year. Flubenvet is reckoned to be best. You can google it and you'll get lots of pet medicine sites. Choose the one with the lowest price but take P&P into account.

[Hans Mum]

if you want to give them a real treat (and they'll take your arm off for them) get them some dried meal worms...not cheap but just a few and mine take them from my hand. As Flum says all of the above, I give mine porridge (supermarket cheapy oats) in the winter with a bit of mixed spice on it and sometimes a few rasins/sultana's.....they'll soon settle down and show you who's boss

[Bramble-Poultry]

Hans mum - do you have a home bargains or a TJ Morris near you - they have dried meal worms at the mo for 79p a tub - Bargain!!

[Suechooks]

I just sent for 2 kilos on internet for £21! Work that one out! I do feed the wild birds in winter on the allotment and at home as well as the chooks few!

[snakeshack]

live mealworms available at livefood.co.uk very good service I have been a customer for years.
they do dried too