Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

windyng

By the time I'm 30 i'd like to have chickens.

ljonski

Are you 29 and 363 days old? If not, you'll never regret it doing it before your 30!

ionahenor2

HeatherintheHills wrote: »

Now how the hell did chocolate orpington and lavender laced wyandotte bantams find their way into my run?

Morechickenitis strikes again

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Have been using the naughty car again? Pictures?

caitybabes

ionahenor2 wrote: »

Or you could do this :rotfl::rotfl:

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=89860

Saw this on the Omlet forum last night. Hope 'Chicken Kitty' doesn't mind me posting this on here.

Hilarious! Thank you so much for posting! :rotfl:

We're buying chickens tomorrow! Not sure whether to go to Rokers (about a 20 min drive) or venture to Southmead Poultry (40-45mins). Can anyone recommend either or another nearby?

Syman, did you buy any from Rokers?

Thriftkitten

ionahenor2 wrote: »

Isn't a big floppy comb a sign of overheating? Could they have been ex batts?

You sound like you have everthing undercontrrol. love the names.

I haven't a clue where they came from as they were passed to the local pet lady who said she would rehome them, all a bit ahemmmm weird, however, as ropey as they are they also seem happy enough, they found their voice today and have made a racket for much of the day, and have now put themselves to bed 2 nights on the trot even if it is pitch black by the time they go in I was adament they would have to learn to do it themselves, they have been practicing all day up and down the coop plank every 2 mins all day, it's quite comical watching them.
I got an egg this morning from them that looked like a burst balloon, very weird, but they probably have never had any shell in their diet until now, and the other ropey girls gave 2 perfect large brown eggs, although as I don't think they are in great health I nourished the allotment outside the coop with the 2 eggs as didnt fancy us eating them yet for a couple of weeks.
I'm also starting to think Dorothea pale face floppy comb is supposed to have a comb that hangs down, Are there some hybrids who have floppy combs that are in good health?????
Her comb has ever so slightly pinked up, but only a tiny bit.
On the baby sablepoot front, 4 babies and almost certain that it is 3 hens and a cox.... yipppeee how lucky are we, although not 100% and dont want to count my chickens or put all eggs in one basket!!! (excuse the puns).
all chooks except mother and babies have started flubenvet this morning Rita and Primrose are seperated from the ropey ones so having their wormer in their own feeder.
Can anyone tell me how often I should give the newbies apple cider vinegar and also a small dollop of live yogurt.
I have some tonic coming tomorrow, net tex I think it called, I'll have the best looking birds on the block very soon with all this caper going on!!!:T

Soworried

I would love to keep ex-battery chickens but our gardens are opened planned. Is there away around this please?

ionahenor2

Soworried How open plan? How many neighbours?

Soworried

About an acre at the back. The sides run on to neighbours within 23ft.
We are in a conservation area so we can not put up fencing, although within our boundry we could have a coup of some kind. I just don't know if they are safe or fair.

ljonski

If they can they will destroy any plants that your neighbours have. Its not worth it , if you can't limit their roaming to your own property.

Money_maker

Yes, there are breeds that have floppy combs. TBH, I would be more concerned about a discoloured comb than a floppy one. Ex batts do start off long and floppy (think a leggy plant growing towards the light) but settle down to normal in time.

Soworried - no fencing means if any of your neighbours have dogs then they can roam over everyones garden? Don't think any hens would like this. Fine to keep hens in a house and run (not everyone can properly 'free range'). Why not have a word with your neighbours?