Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

jammy_dodger

mardatha wrote: »

Oh JD, I've decided on Black Rocks but will get mine when the weather gets better. They say they're ok for wild weather, that's why I chose them.

black rocks are beautiful friendly hens they have been great layers but excpetionally long and cold this winter has been -17 throughout most of Dec :eek: so no wonder they stopped laying last winter i had on average 1 egg a day from the 5 its the first year in ages i have had to buy eggs but did have foresight over the summer to freeze some got 5 a day then and thats working well
am just impatient

Gigervamp

One of my girls is a black rock. She's quite an independent thing and is often at the other end of the garden to the others. And while they huddle beneath the trees when it's raining, she seems quite happy to get drenched!

She's a bit of a flier too, today I found her on the other side of the fence, up a tree!

wammy77

Todays update: well the bully is pecking Lily far less than yesterday, but she's still not stopped even though I've used purple spray and tar. I was watching them this morning and it seems like the chicken is trying to eat the feathers.

The tar has stopped her wound being pecked at more, so that's a good thing, however they're just pecking her in other areas.... I've done everything I can to make sure they're not bored, not hungry, no cramped in a restricited space

This morning Lily is very quiet and keeps going off to the corner to sit on her own. She only moves around when hubby, myself or my daughter go out there with her... then she's happy to eat, drink and run around.

I'm so worried about her

Mojisola

Chickens sometimes feather-peck because they're short of minerals. Are you giving them a balanced feed with mineral additives?

siobhan2711

I am rescuing three hens on Saturday the 12th and really excited. I gave in and bought an Eglu, very expensive but managed to get one a litte cheaper from Ebay and they do hold their value. It will be the first time we have had hens, but have had all sorts of pets before including pygmy goats.
I can't wait to see them blossom and enjoy their new home.

mardatha

I never thought of checking ebay for Eglus. I'd love one but far too dear for me. Will keep an eye open for them now ty

siobhan2711

cathy wrote: »

I was all for it, till I found out that they stop laying after about 3-4 years then you have to kill them

arrrrrgh

no way

lol

You don't have to kill them...there is no law that states it.... I am rescuing battery hens on Saturday... if they give me eggs it is a bonus... and I will certainly will be letting them die naturally..

Mojisola

We have a big enough run for our chooks to live out their natural life. Some of our rare breeds have become teenagers before they died.

Commercial breeds that have been bred for battery farms don't live so long.

angelavdavis

Megielo, I live in St Leonards and have already put myself down for four of your rescues. I have just posted your post on Hastings Environment Network and Hastings network yahoo forums so hopefully you may get some interest through there.

littlechezza

Would a childrens wendy house be okay to convert into a chicken house, thought about replacing the door and using wire mesh over the windows and then putting it on concrete slabs, not sure if it would be big enough and what to put inside for the chickens to rest on, also how many would we be able to have in this size area.
Thanks