ooops i've done it again.....more chickens...

catewithers

Sue55 wrote: »

Hi, I've been lurking as a guest for a while & have been fascinated by this thread as we've been thinking of getting chickens for a while now & after doing some research & reading the really helpful messages on here we've decided on 3 or 4 Pekin Bantams but I still have some worries that I'm hoping someone could help me out with. Me & OH both work full time so would they be ok in a secure run during the day while we're out? Also I'm curious as to how people manage with the dark mornings in the winter as it would still be quite dark when we leave for work and we don't have anyone we could ask to let them out once it starts to get light.

Thanks
Sue

Wow Sue! Very honoured that you chose this thread to make your first post! Your hens will be fine in a secure run during the day - that's where ours are as we both work full time as well.

As for the winter, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it! Only had our hens since April so haven't had to dfeal with it yet. But Eddie's plan sounds like a good one.

Let us know when you get your little bantams and post some pics so we can all cluck over them!

Sue55

Thanks for your help, I'm going to start planning the living quarters now and check out breeders in my area. I'm so excited as I've wanted to keep chickens for years. I'll remember to post some pictures when I finally get my girls

Thanks again
Sue

Penelope_Penguin

Hello all - too exciting, our eggs are pipping! I've started a thread - here.

Penny. x

LindseyM

oooh Penny, how exciting - keep us updated!!

And welcome Sue :hello:

quick update on me - i've half completed the coop/run - but i'm off on holiday tomorrow to disneyland paris with my daughter so it will have to be finished when i get back

hopefully getting our chooks the beginning of july so will defo post pics when we get em!! :j

catewithers

Oh my goodness it's all so exciting!!!!!!! Keep us posted Lindsey and Penny! Looking forward to seeing your new family members.

Things here are good - settled down into a routine. Still having to put my girls into bed very night as they simply refuse to do it themselves! :rolleyes:

poohbear59

Hi, I have been reading your posts with interest and would like to join you. I have five 'rescue' hens at present but have ordered 5 pols to be here in about a week. Mine are completely free range and can come and go as they please but recently a fox might have been seen locally so we have made a run for them and lock them in at night. They then have the run and henhouse so can still go outside where I have scattered straw and food so they can still scratch about. The main problem in them being locked up at night and having to wait for us to get up to let them out is that they have stopped laying in the nesting boxes and we can't find the eggs. I am sure some day we will find a huge pile of them.

catewithers

Hi Poohbear - lovely to have you with us!

Have you tried putting pot eggs in the nest boxes to give your girls the right idea? Just a thought.

Let us know how the big introductions go when you get your new hens!

steady__eddie

"The main problem in them being locked up at night and having to wait for us to get up to let them out is that they have stopped laying in the nesting boxes and we can't find the eggs. I am sure some day we will find a huge pile of them."

That's half the fun, you get plenty of physical exercise searching for the eggs coupled with the mental exercise of trying to figure out where they might have laid them. Chicken keeping IS good for your health as long as you don't go to work on an egg. (So they would have us believe)

poohbear59

Thanks steady_eddie and catewithers for your ideas. I forgot we bought pot eggs when we had our first hens about five years ago, I need to find them now too.

Regarding exercise, not only my whole family but also regulars who used to buy from us have trudged around our and neighbours gardens and fields to no avail yet but we are all much fitter. Hens are probably chuckling as they watch us.

Phil3822

Can I join this clan!! We've been thinking about chickens for some time now. I'd created a thread asking for general advice but i think its in the wrong area

Simple really, can guinea pigs share my garden with chickens? Not all night of course but through the day!

This threads been great fun to read.

My thread is here > http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=482104 although i've now asked my main question here.

Hope someone can help