Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

Thriftkitten

mavvymoo wrote: »

Hi
I keep Chickens have pure breeds and a lot of ex batts and ex barn
When they come to me I give them cod liver oil in their feed about a table spoon mixed in the feed.They call it liquid gold for Chickens and really helps with the pale floppy comb and picks them up no end.
Don't overdo it or the eggs will taste fishy :rotfl:
I never cull and I have ex batts that are now 7 years old and living their well earnt retirement in luxury at my expense

When I first started keeping Chickens I got 6 and a friend of mine said Chickens are addictive don't forget when you get to over 50 you will have to inform Defra.I laughed and said no way will I have 50.
About a year later I had a count up and had 48

Great and thankyou for that info, I will try that and since we are fertilizing the land with their eggs at the mo it wont matter if they are fishy tasting lol!!
Fully understand about chicken i tus as it only seemed like yesterday I had 3 and now i seem to have 10!!;)

mavvymoo

Thriftkitten wrote: »

Great and thankyou for that info, I will try that and since we are fertilizing the land with their eggs at the mo it wont matter if they are fishy tasting lol!!
Fully understand about chicken i tus as it only seemed like yesterday I had 3 and now i seem to have 10!!;)

I would lay odds that your ropey girls (bless them) are either ex bats or ex barn.most likely the former as the feather loss is right for caged birds.
I would lay off the Cider Vinegar as you are worming them and both can be hard on their systems . If it was me I would go with a peeled garlic clove in the water and the Cod liver oil in the food. For about a week then lay off the garlic for 3 weeks then on the 4th week reintroduce it.Keep them on the cod liver oil at a reduced rate after the first week go to about 1 teaspoon in the feed.
This would be fine for all your flock when they go in with the others.
Cod liver oil is brilliant when they are moulting as mine are at the moment
In regards to the beak pecking etc make sure you keep them busy if they have a small area maybe hang a cabbage up for them to peck at or even some old CDs which they love and its fun to watch

I have done a few rescues from the battery/barn farms which is not pleasant:( But the best thing is releasing them from the cages you look up the line and the look in their eyes is hope no fear at all I am sure they know what's going on:)

Sheer and utter bliss for them is when they have their first dust bath in the sun.You can see it on their faces and you cant get better than that :T

Byatt

Just a quick check, have been reading up on chickens and came across DEFRA's web site where they say feeding chickens from you kitchen is illegal...wondered if I'd read that correctly? (to do with FMD, 2001)...

Gigervamp

Yes, it's true. I can understand it to a certain extent, but think it should be aimed at commercial poultry farmers rather than backyard chicken keepers.

It's also impossible to police when you consider that there are around 500,000 chickens living in gardens and I bet most of the people who own them are unaware of that rule.

Byatt

Gigervamp wrote: »

Yes, it's true. I can understand it to a certain extent, but think it should be aimed at commercial poultry farmers rather than backyard chicken keepers.

It's also impossible to police when you consider that there are around 500,000 chickens living in gardens and I bet most of the people who own them are unaware of that rule.

Thanks for the quick response...yes, it seems ridiculous for private owners and impossible, like you say, to police.

Syman

WOO HOO... coop's back.

off to rokers at the weekend!

HeatherintheHills

ionahenor2 wrote: »

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

Please come and take naughty car away from me!

In addition to the Wyandotte and orpy I now have 4 more brown hybrids (3 laying, one retired) and 3 silkies arriving soon from someone who has had to give them up.

When I've stopped rushing around clearing ground and putting coops and runs together I promise I will do some photos.

One of the new hybrid girls has spurs and has been trying to take on my rooster through the fence. She has been top girl in a hen only run for a long time. I think this is going to take some dealing with, any tips anyone?

HeatherintheHills

Soworried wrote: »

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

If you cannot build a proper fence, then a coop with a decent run to keep them secure in, then maybe some omlet netting to make a moveable free range space for them?

If you stick to miniature bantams they won't be as destructive as larger hens and you will still get eggs, although they will be small ones. Sumara, sablepoots, dutch and similar may be suitable breeds. Check them out and see if any of them will suit you.

Badrick

Another eBook for kindle currently free.
It's written for American poultry keepers, but may be of use to someone.
Best Chicken Breeds: 12 Types of Hens that Lay Lots of Eggs

Syman

we now are the proud parents of 3 ISA browns. thay have been named, Omlette, Quiche and madras.

will post photos later.