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

DON79

we are ok, can do anything we like except open a pub! :rotfl: so it is all go for the chickens!

Jack's_mummy

That's fab!

DON79

I just found this site when I was having a general look around about by-laws so thought would post it if that's ok - it has useful q&a's!

http://www.omlet.co.uk/homepage/homepage.php

although my goodness their coops are cute but expensive!!! :eek: :eek:

shirlgirl2004

DON79 wrote: »

I just found this site when I was having a general look around about by-laws so thought would post it if that's ok - it has useful q&a's!

http://www.omlet.co.uk/homepage/homepage.php

although my goodness their coops are cute but expensive!!! :eek: :eek:

They are expensive but they last. I had an Eglu but then decided I wanted more chooks so bought the cube. They are really easy to clean out and move. Also if you decide to sell it on (for whatever reason) then they have a really good resale value unlike your average wooden coop. If you can afford one I'd recommend one but either way I don't suppose the chooks mind.

mum_of_4

DON79 wrote: »

I just found this site when I was having a general look around about by-laws so thought would post it if that's ok - it has useful q&a's!

http://www.omlet.co.uk/homepage/homepage.php

although my goodness their coops are cute but expensive!!! :eek: :eek:

They are really good. I've had a wooden coup and although a pain to get dry when cleaning in the winter and the red mite problem I thought against the omlet ones it was worth putting upwith - until a fox got into the run and then forced the coup door open killing my whole flock.


I now have a cube and god do I wish I'd got one in the first place. So easy to clean and completly fox proof as long as you've shut the door. I can't fault it. I didn't require the wheels which they knock off £50 so with the reduced VAT it was £391. If you compare it to the better built wooden coups offering the same features so are even more money.

ziggyman99

New chook installed.....
She's a little agressive if the original one get too close. It's nothing more than a little peck. She just steers clear of the new chook as best she can. I'm sure she'll settle in.

Next project is to build a bigger run so I don't feel guilty about not letting them out into the garden. Having said that, they live a life of luxury compared with those chickens on Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalls programme the other night.....

skipton

Have you got some new girls yet Maz?

I've had a red eglu for about 3 months, it is very easy to clean. I have 3 hens that are all laying now and I'm hooked. I wish I could have more or get a cube. I've started saving my coupon money towards one. Omlet will probably bring out Mark 2 by the time I have enough for one.

Jawuk

Hi, my first time posting on MSE but felt impelled to say that it is hens wing feathers which are clipped, not their wings - and snipping just one side is enough to put them off-balance and discourage them from flying. Do be careful not to clip the large flight feathers too far down.
Secondly do keep in mind that you have to be there at least twice every day to let the birds in and out. That can be a tie, and especially in winter when daylight hours are so short as the birds have to be let out and put in when it's not dark - leave it too late in the evening and they'll be up in the nearest tree and at risk throughout the night. Finally give serious thought to what arrangements you can make for their care during holiday periods when you are away from home - not everyone wants to take on the twice daily commitment.
If you can sort it all out then I'm sure you'll enjoy having birds - fix up a very low light on a timer to even out the seasonal hours of darkness and you can have eggs throughout the year. Bonne chance :O)

MaximumImpact

Just a couple of other points for you to be aware of.....although people say chickens don't smell...they do if you aren't scrupulous about cleaning them out regularly. Also make sure that you have somewhere to dispose of the used litter as it is a haven for the chicken keepers second most hated enemy..the rat!!! Rats can be a big problem and you will need to be ruthless with them if you see any signs that they are around....

Also depending on what breed of chicken you get, they can be quite noisy in the mornings and evenings...I don't find it an offensive noise but some people do...

heres a pic of my run and coop...the house itself is fox and rat proof, unfortunately the main run is not and I have a rat problem at the moment which I am trying to combat with glass down the holes and snap traps..should this fail I may have to resort to poison which isnt ideal.....

mum_of_4

skipton wrote: »

Have you got some new girls yet Maz?

I've had a red eglu for about 3 months, it is very easy to clean. I have 3 hens that are all laying now and I'm hooked. I wish I could have more or get a cube. I've started saving my coupon money towards one. Omlet will probably bring out Mark 2 by the time I have enough for one.

Yes I have:j

We collected 6 at the weekend and I can't believe we've had our first egg yesturday. So with the postman bring me some duck eggs and me having some from the last flock I only had to buy one box from Tesco.

It's so lovely to have hens in the garden again.

Named by the childen
Dora (first egg 29/1/09)
Peppa
Maisy
Lola
Molly
Doris

My chickens really don't smell, my run is covered so the wood chip doesn't get wet. With the omlete cube I empty the pop tray every other day.

You can use horse bedding to go in the house and even in a covered run and it dries up the wee and lasts a couple of weeks. I have deliveries of woodchip from a tree surgen and keep topping it up.