Now for the fun bit - What Hens should I get?

[Mikey]

I put mine on wood chips and have just changed it for the first time, so roughly 3 months. It didn't take them long to turn the wood chip into the soil below so I have dragged it off and changed it.

My chooks have an area of the garden to roam free during the day where they have access to grass and earth to have a bath. I collect their poo daily which takes about 15 minutes with my hoe, it would be less with a shovel, but I like spending some time with them chatting!!!

[Newtothis]

Do you think they would be OK in the garden during the day when we're not there?
We've not seen any foxes around - but I'm sure they're about somewhere. The garden is pretty secure with 6ft walls/fences.

[Suechooks]

Foxes can climb 6' walls and fences. I wouldn't chance it.

[its hilly]

I'm with Suechooks, don't risk a visit from foxes.
If they have some things to climb on and stuff to scratch around in they'll be happy in the run while you aren't there. Just remember to make sure they have somewhere that is shaded as well as somewhere sunny, they can really suffer if it's hot.
My cream legbars lay ordinary sized eggs, a beautiful sky blue. However an awful lot do lay greeny eggs, so if you fancy them try to find someone who only breeds from blue eggers, then you are virtually guarenteed a blue egger.
The website seem to have a decent choice, but dont get so focussed on the chooks that you dont look at how clean and tidy their surroundings are, and if they have decent sized runs, and do they all look busy and contented. Unhappy hens are either very noisy or droopy and subdued.

[Snadger]

Seen a large dog fox today, funny that, didn't see any wabbits today!

[chris]

I do leave mine in the garden whilst I'm at work. That said, the garden is next to a road by a school which is reasonably busy... I've not seen a fox during day time. I expected one over winter. My wife doesn't work now, so she is in the house - but often goes out with the little one. Not that she'd be much use if one did get into the garden - she's 8 months pregnant.

I do, have a little wee around the fence every now and again. Oh and I've seen some drunken idiots actually wee on my fence. (I do it in a bottle, then squirt some along outside.. they just erm walk along 'exposed' weeing along it).

Not sure if it helps, I've read that it does.. so far nothing. I'm putting it down to it always being busy (we're a corner plot) - always folk walking past, cars going past etc. There's farms near us though, so I'm wondering if they go there instead - or raid the food bins from the local pub/shops?

I have thought about putting an electric wire along the top of the fence, but knowing the folk around here someone would jump the fence, get a zap and then report me.

[Suechooks]

There's a fox on our allotment site but he seems to be addicted to junk food and sandwiches as I've seen him crossing the road to the school opposite in early mornings! Haven't seen him fox a while and this week I've seen wabbits on the site - first time in 8 years!

[Newtothis]

I do, have a little wee around the fence every now and again. Oh and I've seen some drunken idiots actually wee on my fence. (I do it in a bottle, then squirt some along outside.. they just erm walk along 'exposed' weeing along it)

Is some aspect of hen keeping that I've missed?

What will the neighbours say?

[baldrick]

There's a fox on our allotment site but he seems to be addicted to junk food and sandwiches as I've seen him crossing the road to the school opposite in early mornings! Haven't seen him fox a while and this week I've seen wabbits on the site - first time in 8 years!

I think my dogs moved him on. he was using our hedge as a path and scent mark but he has stopped since Ive been tethering the shower of mongrels there!

[chris]

Is some aspect of hen keeping that I've missed?

What will the neighbours say?

I don't have neighbours the side the chickens are

[Suechooks]

I think my dogs moved him on. he was using our hedge as a path and scent mark but he has stopped since Ive been tethering the shower of mongrels there!

Nice one! He's already been unearthed (literally) by the 2 terriers between your plot and mine but was still about. Maybe he's got the hint!

[Newtothis]

Nice one! He's already been unearthed (literally) by the 2 terriers between your plot and mine but was still about. Maybe he's got the hint!

Looks like you've got the security patrols sorted! I could do with some neighbours like that.
Or a terrier! - now that's a thought

[Mikey]

You can hang human hair in tights aswell I believe.

If the fox made it to our garden he would have first passed a rottie, and great dane, two terriers, and a retired man with a magpie shooting fetish!!

Good luck foxy, mine roam the garden.

[baldrick]

the shower of mongrels take chook guarding very seriously indeed. Tried to teach the working beardie x to herd them in at night....disaster! He lay down to block the gate for me and they all went at him en masse. He ran for his life bless him.

[Newtothis]

the shower of mongrels take chook guarding very seriously indeed. Tried to teach the working beardie x to herd them in at night....disaster! He lay down to block the gate for me and they all went at him en masse. He ran for his life bless him.

That sounds like fowl play!
Watch out Mr Fox!!!