We're getting chickens

[jojo2910]

Hooray. We've wanted them for ages and finally got the nerve to ask the landlord to keep some and he said yes. We have been doing a dance all day.

Does anyone have top tips for beginners or advice people wish they had known when they started out.

Can't wait to get started.

[Flummery]

Make sure they have plenty of room in their run, make sure foxes can't get in and don't spoil them with too many treats. Don't expect to do ANY other work for weeks - you''ll just be fascinated watching them! Good luck! You'll never look back.
You could try searching on here for advice for beginners - lots of us have asked before!

[Feather]

If you're getting point-of-lay pullets, it's best to get them at between 16 and 20 weeks, ie before they actually start to lay eggs, usually at about 22 + weeks, though some may be earlier or later. this is because 'moving house' is stressful to chickens, even if you've got everything ready and do everything right, so a week or two settling in before they have the added stress of coming into lay is better than interrupting their early laying pattern when they're just starting. You can tell if they're not laying yet because their combs and wattles will be pink and underdeveloped. Also, get a minimum of 3, and if possible get them all at the same time, because it'll be much harder to get the first batch to accept any later arrivals, and if they all arrive together there will be less chance of fighting whilst they settle down. Again, the younger hens are less likely to fight than the more mature ones. You need at least 3, so when in the course of time one dies you still have a pair, not a lonely singleton, and can then get a couple more - try never to get only one at a time, it's much harder to settle her in. Good luck, have fun!

[Glutton4...]

Congratulations! I had wanted to have Chooks for ages. Our old neighbour had them, and I used to look after them when he was away. I would probably never had taken the plunge if it hadn't been for the encouragement I received from people on here. I started with eight ex-Batts in November 2008, and got the addiction quite quickly, as I soon got eight more, then some more, and so on. I now have around thirty-odd of various shapes, sizes and colours. And Geese!

You will find more information on here than in any book. Take time to trawl through the 'Rule The Roost' thread, as there's just about anything you'll ever need to know on there.

Oh, yeah - and don't forget the PICTURES!!!!!

[jojo2910]

Thanks all. We have the Haynes manual and OH wants to build the coop out of it, or one similar (I saw the plans on here). Any views on DIY v bought coops. His DIY skills are intermediate.

[Glutton4...]

I bought one - it was/is cr@p - cost more than a garden shed, and wouldn't have lasted the winter without some attention.

It has now been screwed together with extra brackets, and weather-proofed. It will not make it to next winter. The shed I bought as a replacement, when I got more Chooks, is robust, strong, and spacious.

Again, have a look on the 'Chook' section of the 'Vine - you'll get loads of advice, and suggestions for housing your Hens.

[BigShot]

We have been doing a dance all day.

YouTube - Rufus Thomas - The Funky Chicken
Happy dancing.

[chris]

jojo - I've converted a bike shed to a coop - I HATE DIY, but enjoyed doing that. I've since built a plywood coop - less places for mites to hide out and simple to clean. I've posted pictures of it here before - if you want some more I can give you the links - drop me a PM.

I based it on feedback from people here - but mostly polo and brample poultry who gave me the ideas for it. Might not look the best, but the chickens don't care. It's easy to clean too. I built it with a sheet of shuttering ply, which is wbp rated - but treated it with cuprionol garden shades paint, and creocoted inside (did that bit first) - around the corners and joins as they like to hide there. Also on the perch ends.

the sheet was 8' x 4', so I had them cut it at the timber merchant down the middle length ways, to give me 2 * 8'x2', then one of them in half again:

1 * 2' x 8
2 * 2' x 4'

the 2' x 8' in half again:

4 * 2' x 4'

One of those in half:

3 * 2' x 4'
1 * 2' x 2'

I trimmed the 2' x 2' down slightly, and they made the ends.. these were then all screwed together - leaving the top (roof) open. I built a frame out of old wood I had in the garage, and used onduline for the roof (had bought a sheet extra a while ago - I think they're about £13 from wickes?). Mesh over the frame to stop any nasties getting in (mice, etc) - then the onduline on top. Hinged one of the face panels - and put in a 4' perch.

bought a small sheet of ply then for the nestbox - which I think was £10 ? So the total cost of the wood was £35.

Onduline was £13 i think - the mesh I had before - from wickes - whch was a tenner for a roll of it (weld mesh), paint I already had. Much cheaper than the ones I've seen. i then build a frame for it to stand on, and then rested it on top.

[Hilary B]

Chooks need
somewhere to get out of the rain (and wind if it gets bad in your area)
Somewhere to sleep, preferably with a perch
somewhere to lay eggs.
If the coop/shed provides all that, nothing else is particularly important.
You must also provide a fox-proof 'boundary', and unless very sure that foxes don't come your way, they need to be within that fox-proof space any time you can't be with them to deter visitors.
Food should be available in a moveable, minimum-spill feeder, which many people prefer to remove at night to discourage rats. Clean water at all times.

[jojo2910]

Here are our ladies: Alys, Majorie and Barbara



Hope the pictures work

We were wondering how close the chickens can safely be to a laburnum tree?

[Billathome65]

Chucks will eat almost anything and are partial to mice I believe? Most of the stuff has been said already. Will you be feeding them Layer Pellets or Corn? If not free ranging they will need grit which helps them grind up food. Their poo varies from day to day so don't be too worried if the look and consistency changes but if your worried post up pics so people may advise. Oh and be prepared for lots of cleaning out I've had my two for just over a month and I spend at least 3 days cleaning the run etc. up.

Above all enjoy your chucks as Tony the tiger would say they're greatttttttt...........

Bill

[Glutton4...]

They should have ad-lib Layer's Pellets. They are formulated to contain everything a Chook will need. A small handful of corn between them, just before bedtime, will suffice, and a few greens during the day if they have no access to grass. Too much corn, or other treats, will upset the balance, and you will be more likely to get thin shelled eggs and/or fat chickens. Fat Hens do not lay!

Lovely pictures by the way!

[jojo2910]

Thank you. We're giving them layer pellets as recommended by the person who sold us the chickens. They have a small grit pot and we'll give them a small amount of corn when we are home from work.

The electric fence is currently enclosing the laburnum tree, but I think to be safe we'll move it tomorrow. The chickens have looked at it but don't seem interested in it. They are currently getting used to the new digs and noises (especially the nearby road).

We're loving them so far. I'm just glad I got the bulk of my gardening jobs already done this holiday as Flum told me, I've spent more time watching the chickens than gardening.

[Hilary B]

I would suspect the risk from the laburnam would be more likely when it is shedding seeds (ripe or otherwise) since these might look tempting to a chook.... If you shut them in at night, checking the ground for toxic temptations before letting them out in the morning might suffice (but you would have to be thorough about it!)

[Feather]

I would suspect the risk from the laburnam would be more likely when it is shedding seeds (ripe or otherwise) since these might look tempting to a chook.... If you shut them in at night, checking the ground for toxic temptations before letting them out in the morning might suffice (but you would have to be thorough about it!)

How atttached are you to the laburnum? If it were mine I'd have it down now, before it sets its seeds, end of problem.....