Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

furball

Jem2 i found the omlet forum was the best info for a complete novice. No question is deemed too silly to ask and i find it the friendliest of the chicken forums. You don't have to own one of their plastic coops either, all chicken owners are welcome. I will try and post a link
http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/index.php

redpete

jem2 wrote: »

ok so jus pellets in a mornin then? maybe iv been over feedin them? its been a cup of corn and a cup of pellets 1st thing then kitchen bits befor bed

Ours have pellets from a a demand feeder so they eat as much as they want, then a handfull of mixed corn most afternoons, maybe selected k*tchen scraps some days, and left to roam the garden if we're around all day (it's not a well-manicured garden!) so they get plenty of scratching for bugs, grazing the grass etc.

Gigervamp

redpete wrote: »

Ours have pellets from a a demand feeder so they eat as much as they want, .

Yes, they need to have plenty of pellets, ie, enough for them, which you will work out by seeing how much they eat.

We have a few different feeders scattered around the place, but I've noticed that they prefer the galvanised trough rather than the round plastic feeders.

jem2

thanks for the link furball!

their new beds are goin in today so im hoping it might not be too long til they will start layin!! eeek!! im so excited by this thought!!

i cant wait til the weather is nice so i can sit outside and watch them

sunflower76

Well it's piddling it down today so I shan't be playing outside with the girls today. It seems that every time it's sunny I go out there with the aim of cleaning them out but end up adding 'Modifications'. I started with a coop like this (but bigger):

http://www.thechickenhousecompany.co.uk/product_info.php/cPath/22_23/products_id/56

I've since insulated it, added some rain protection on the hinges and meddled with the rost box to ensure they don't flick as much straw onto the main perching area and we've raised it on breeze blocks to stop the wood from rotting and to stop a persistant rat from digging through. I've put hooks in all over the place to hang differnet feeding blocks etc and added gravel to the bottom of the coop as they were digging and getting muddy feet.

My next project is to build them a drinking system with the n1pple drinkers rather than the regular plastic water dispenser as they flick the water absolutely everywhere and are drowning their floor. not to mention that they are running out of water every afternoon and I don't like to leave them without water. So, hopefully, this will really cut down my workload and their wastage once the bits arrive from eBay.

I do love spending time out there but they are turning into a full time occupation

Mojisola

jem2 wrote: »

their new beds are goin in today so im hoping it might not be too long til they will start layin!! eeek!! im so excited by this thought!!

i cant wait til the weather is nice so i can sit outside and watch them

When hens come into lay depends, mainly, on their age, the hours of daylight, the weather and any other number of minor variables - mostly known only to hens! You'll be so pleased when you get your first eggs - enjoy them!

Hens are a real time-waster - it's so entertaining watching the way the different personalities behave and react.

ionahenor2

I think I must be really lucky with the eggs. I get one or two a day still and my old girl has laid one or two as well. had a three egg day on Monday.

Yes I was going to say Jem to give them a good supply of pellets through the day. I take mine in at night to discourage the little mouse that pops in their pen at dusk. They also need a supply of water but mine prefer puddle water.

I think I became an honorary hen yetersday. I was moving some of my plant pots/tubs and clearing the leaves off the tops and found a few slugs which I shared with my 3. At one point they stopped rummaging in their leaves under the trees to come and stand and watch me waiting to be hand fed!!!

They do make me laugh.

I must be daft Sunflower as I go out with an umbrella!

3v3

Mojisola wrote: »

.....

Hens are a real time-waster - it's so entertaining watching the way the different personalities behave and react.

:eek::eek::eek:
Cheaper than the cinema, cheaper than alcohol and cheaper than therapy.

Hens are a real "investment" :rotfl:

Mojisola

3v3 wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek:
Cheaper than the cinema, cheaper than alcohol and cheaper than therapy.

Hens are a real "investment" :rotfl:

Non-hen keepers think I'm making it up when I talk about how entertaining our lot are. We've got two old matrons who can completely embarrass a young cockerel with just one look, others who work together to make sure they get more than their fair share of treats and others who all but flutter their eyelashes at the cockerel who responds by rushing round looking for food for them.

Gigervamp

Mojisola wrote: »

Non-hen keepers think I'm making it up when I talk about how entertaining our lot are. We've got two old matrons who can completely embarrass a young cockerel with just one look, others who work together to make sure they get more than their fair share of treats and others who all but flutter their eyelashes at the cockerel who responds by rushing round looking for food for them.

Haha, that happened here this week. Blackie, (bantam araucana cockerel) tried it on with Maud, (copper maran-so she's pretty big). She stood there and LOOMED over him, giving him a steely stare like a formidable headmistress. He slinked away. :rotfl:

I'm really looking forward to the warmer drier days when we can sit outside with them.