Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

Gigervamp

Have you got any pics?

Frugaldom

Gigervamp wrote: »

Have you got any pics?

Trying my best to get them all in one photograph, but here's what my newest babies look like. No two are identical and the one with the silver wings is called Flash Harry, who was first to hatch and won't stay still long enough to get a decent picture.


Flash Harry was first to hatch, on 5th April


In the nest box, one was already hiding


Outside at last, but Flash Harry took off again!


Just managed to get all 6 + mum into one photo

Frugaldom

LauraD - is your little Silkie hen still sitting on the eggs?

chickenkorma

Am so excited to be getting some chickens in the very near future- I've been looking round for a good home for them (diy really wouldn't be up to it) and think I've narrowed it down to 3- the favourite has a big door rather than a pop hole- would this be a problem - do they prefer being able to sit on perches in the dark? I'll be letting them into a run all day to start with, then hoping I can fence off "precious" parts of the garden to let them go free range in the day! Don't think this has been answered earlier in thread- apologies if it has! ANY help appreciated!

Gigervamp

nykmedia wrote: »

Trying my best to get them all in one photograph, but here's what my newest babies look like.

Aww, cute little fluffballs!

Frugaldom

Hi chickenkorma, glad you are getting some chickens as they are great things to have about the place! Housing wise, a small door is preferable as it blocks out more drafts and will prevent anything too big getting inside the shed - maybe you could cut a catflap type hole in the door of your shed?

The hens should prefer to roost, as they like to get up higher than ground level, however, I have several that I have never seen roosting, despite having given them a new 2" x 2" with the edges sanded off. Most of mine sleep in converted kennels or rabbit hutches at night, have wired enclosures for closing them in when we need to go anywhere and have the run of the garden most other times. They could easily jump over the wall, fence or hedge into the surrounding fields but they seem quite happy to remain in the garden and I haven't clipped any of their wings.

Like you, I'd prefer it if they all went into the 'normal' shed and roosted at night but they all have their own characters and don't always do as you want them to do. Sometimes they even give back cheeky chat! :rotfl:

*zippy*

Does anyone here keep ducks that could offer some advice please?

Frugaldom

Gingervamp, this is a piucture of my next lot of chicks to be hatched - there are 5 silkies and 4 Pekins here and I love them all! I'll never be able to part with any of them and I'm going to need an entire field at this rate :eek: Worse still, I have another hen broody who is now sitting on about a dozen eggs plus what's due to hatch this week and next week! :eek:

Gigervamp

I don't blame you! They're lovely colours. I especially like the silvery ones.

chickenkorma

Many thanks nykmedia- I hadn't thought of a rabbit hutch -I have a disused one in the garden but thought the roof would be too low? (it's only 40cm high) I've just been out to dig it out from the pile of leaves- 1 side has solid door (45cm width, 45cm depth), other has wire door and an internal ramp down to a very small run- presumably I could put this into a bigger pen (have wire- just need stakes) and just shut the wire door at night to ensure fox proof- I'd probably not be able to use the ramp or there'll be no room to put a low perch in case they'd like one! I'm sure I'm being very stupid- I'm just worrying that the girls won't be happy / wil get cold etc! If I fill the solid side with straw and sawdust in the other will that be ok? thank you for your advice! VERY appreciated!