Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

Little_bit_dizzy

Gigervamp wrote: »

My girls have had a bluetit. Amelia caught it, then Gracie stole it and was chased around the garden by all the girls wanting to get a piece of it. Gracie would manage to get a little ahead of the others, then stop and eat some before they caught up. I always have the Benny Hill music playing in my head when I see them chasing whoever has found something tasty!

Love the idea of Benny Hill music! And smashing video too, had to watch with no sounds as I'm at work, but you have some very pretty ladies!

3v3 wrote: »

Little bit dizzy Thank you for your answer, that's the same as me; but, I am considering going the meat route which is why I was curious to see who does this.

I know people who do, but for me I don't have the strength of character required. I'm a bit too soppy and far too squemish.

I have no problem picking out the pig if we order 1/2 a piggy from our farmer friends up the road, but in this circustance it's a cute looking pig in a field and then it's a bag full of joints and chops. I expect that if I saw the whole in between process I'd probably become veggie! :rotfl:


jem2, good luck with your new ladies. I'm sure you'll enjoy having them and they're not that hard honestly. The eggs are pretty fabulous too!

ionahenor2

My 3 love their porridge too and manage to spread it far and wide. :rotfl:

Fruball

Its absurd not being able to feed kitchen scraps!!!

I thought it was only meat that was off limits - altho mine were quite partial to bacon rind and plate scrapings which often included gravy

I am thinking of using any males I hatch as meat :eek: I am more than happy to eat them... Its the preparing I have an issue with but a friend knows someone who does it so I might ask if I give her 4 chickens, will she prepare them and I take two and she have two I suppose it depends on how many of her own birds she has...

ljonski

Jem2 . Chickens do need a lot of looking after especially in the morning and at closing time at night.
The Downthelane chicken section has advice for newbies in a meticulous way. Happy Hen keeping !

http://www.downthelane.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=8

sunflower76

Jem 2 - See if your library has a book called Chicken Keepikng for Dummies. I found it a really useful guide to what to do and what not to do.

What does everyone bed their chickens on? I'm currently using Eucalyptus Bliss Bedding which is c £7.50 for 20kg. I'm fine with the price but availability has been poor recently and I'm wondering about alternatives such as shavings or shredded paper. Any thoughts?

ljonski

Shredded paper is fine for me .

Fruball

I just ordered my incubator as I intend to raise my hens from bought in eggs this year

Soooooo excited!!!

ionahenor2

Shredded paper (cross cut not the long strands which used to get wrapped around feet and legs, then walked into the pen) It is quick and easy to make and it goes in the compost bin with no problems.

How are the chickens Jem?

spirit

I have straw for bedding and aubiose or hemcore in the run.

Little_bit_dizzy

Shredded paper (endless free supply from work) for ours in the nest boxes, like ionahenor2, we compost it. They then have woodshavings (dust extracted) on the floor of the coop.