Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

susiecm3

ok I have spent 2 hours readin this thread and I am convinced I need chickens

Now how do I get my hubby onside Not got the biggest of gardens but with a bit of moving furniture I have room for a big enough run and house for a few, any tips on where to get a good priced coop? love the igloo ones but a bit pricey

spirit

susiecm3 wrote: »

ok I have spent 2 hours readin this thread and I am convinced I need chickens

Now how do I get my hubby onside Not got the biggest of gardens but with a bit of moving furniture I have room for a big enough run and house for a few, any tips on where to get a good priced coop? love the igloo ones but a bit pricey

try ebay or one of the poultry forums.

ionahenor2

I can recommend the eglu but wish I had a cube. They are easy to clean, supposed to be red mite proof, and quite easy to move about except if you have run extensions which again I would recommend.

The Go's are a little cheaper.

OK_Sauce

If I started over again I wouldn't bother with a purpose built coop, I'd go for a small shed instead connected to a covered home made run. The chooks could come and go as they pleased and would be fox proof from the start.

Mumof2_2

I wonder if I could ask some advice please. I think one of my chickens, Betsy, isn't quite right. I noticed yesterday that the others were out pecking around and scratching around in leaves and she was just stood in our porch with her tail down and just looking a bit sort of drowsy. She was like it again later on in the afternoon.

This morning I've let them out and the others went mad for a bit of corn on the ground in the run and their pellets whilst again Betsy just stood there with her tail down. She showed no interest in the food or fresh water I'd put in. Normally she's the first to be eating etc and is very bright; she just looks lethargic. I've also noticed she's doing yellowy runny poos (sorry if tmi!)

I don't have the facilities to seperate them and wonder what I should do. I'm going to let them out in the garden later (I keep them in until late morning so they get their pellets in their tummies) and am planning on giving them a nice warm mash.

Any advice please?

diluvsdiscounts

Mumof2 wrote: »

I wonder if I could ask some advice please. I think one of my chickens, Betsy, isn't quite right. I noticed yesterday that the others were out pecking around and scratching around in leaves and she was just stood in our porch with her tail down and just looking a bit sort of drowsy. She was like it again later on in the afternoon.

This morning I've let them out and the others went mad for a bit of corn on the ground in the run and their pellets whilst again Betsy just stood there with her tail down. She showed no interest in the food or fresh water I'd put in. Normally she's the first to be eating etc and is very bright; she just looks lethargic. I've also noticed she's doing yellowy runny poos (sorry if tmi!)

I don't have the facilities to seperate them and wonder what I should do. I'm going to let them out in the garden later (I keep them in until late morning so they get their pellets in their tummies) and am planning on giving them a nice warm mash.

Any advice please?

I think it sounds as though she may be egg bound but I'm no expert someone on here with far more experience will come along and give better advice I'm sure.

Gigervamp

Check her crop. It should be empty if she's not eating. If you can feel food in there, hold her on your lap upside down and massage the crop towards her head.

If a sour smelling liquid comes out, it's sourcrop. Give her some live natural yoghurt and if you have any, apple cider vinegar.

Mumof2_2

Thank you. Will try that shortlyl!!

Gigervamp

Oh yeah, and don't give them corn in the morning! They'll eat that in preference to their pellets. Save the corn until the afternoon (I give mine theirs about an hour before they go to bed).

Mumof2_2

I don't - this was left over from last night as they went to bed before they finished their corn!!

I know it's a daft question, but is it OK to eat the eggs whilst one of them is off colour? I've never had a poorly girl before