Top ten tips to chuckling chicks

[JohnMac]

Hi... having had my flock for three years I've knocked up a light hearted guide to buying and keeping chickens and tackling common problems, including photos. If you think I've missed anything please let me know. You can read the guide at the following link...

Allotment Heaven: Ten top tips to chuckling chicks

[Feather]

a lot of good sense here, well done. You asked about omissions - do you need a section on parasites - redmite/scaley leg/ lice/and mor einformation on worms?
Housing - you might mention that plastic houses are available, but unless you're an emplyee of Omlet you might avoid the 'plug', or at least also mention Green Frog, who do much better houses in terms of size and interior perching design for a much lower price. (I've just swapped my Eglu for a Chicken Lodge, so i know what I'm talking about!) Also, you could emphasise strength a bit more, especailly against foxes, eg mention how they dig their way in and how you need a really secure run against them. Also mention the importance of a shady area in the run, and somewhere for the birds to go under cover in the winter or when it's raining.
Spelling - it's metres unless you're from the gas company.

I did find the style a bit jocular but that's just a matter of taste! good luck with it, people will enjoy this.

[Nicos]

Have to say- I love it!!!!!

[Hilary B]

Only one thing I have significant doubts about, that house is going to be a red-mite paradise! The rest is all good (in particular the jokey style, it will get the uninitiated paying attention, where a more formal approach might be off-putting to exactly those people who need to be told!)
Might I suggest that "so you want to keep chickens" would be an alternative title!

[JohnMac]

Many thanks for the feedback and encouragement.

Feather... there is a link to Urban Chicken where there's a lot of good advice about parasites and more, but I've updated the wording to make this more clear. I've also included a link to Green Frog Designs... never heard of them before but really do love the design of their kit! I've added some text about securing the chicken wire from foxes. There is already a mention of providing somewhere shady and sheltered. Finally, I've corrected the typo.

Hilary B... I've never yet had a red mite problem (and long may it continue!). I clean the nesting boxes out almost daily and give the wood shavings a shuffle around. Good point about alternative title... I've changed the first few words in the top paragraph to your suggestion.

Regards, John

[RichmondHens]

I'm afraid I agree with Hilary about the house. Felt roofs are a magnet for red mite. And you can still get them no matter how often you clean out the house. It's not a hygiene issue, more that particular styles of housing will provide an ideal breeding place.