Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

Frugaldom

Sorry to read about your cannibal chicken, CM. She would probably be OK in a much larger space where she was less territorial but once they start that carry-on then there's not an awful lot you can do. A cockerel would probably have kept her in check but again that's not a practical solution. Sad as it seems, chickens do serve 2 purposes and sociable egg laying doesn't seem to be hers.

Katharine, I'm quite pleased with my little €Bay coop despite a few simple modifications being required. I don't think they are suitable for birds living in them as permanent homes, so will probably opt for new coops and just build wire panels for making new runs. €Bay prices for 1" x 1/2" welded mesh are far better than anything I can source here. Bought 50m roll and just need to order the timber now.

KAAT did you manage to find someone to look after your chooks?

Katharine

Unfortunatly the seller wants to double the postage for my postcode that's just not reasonable. There are others on ebay selling the same coop so maybe some of them will be a bit less expensive. I wouldn't use it as a permenant home more as separateing pen for a particular purpose.

KAAT_LADY

nykmedia wrote: »

KAAT did you manage to find someone to look after your chooks?

not yet nykmedia,, still looking xx

will have to change the door on the run so someone can open it without going in ,,,that seems to be the best way ,,then the lad acroos the road will do it or the lady next door ,,hope fully ,,when i as her lol:rotfl:

Frugaldom

Katharine, there appears to be a couple of similar looking coops all around the same price and they all have the same descriptions and photos on €Bay. Check the sizes and full descriptions, as there's quite a difference. Mine was advertised as 1980mm x 755mm x 1030mm which is the run size (approx 6' 6" of run space x 69cm width). The overall length of the unit is actually 2200mm. My next door neighbour bought the same (we thought) from henhousew0rld, which is also described as 1980mm x 755mm x 1030mm. However, hers is only 1980mm overall length, so her run is only 158cm x 65cm (5' 8" of run space x 65cm wide). Both are the same height, neither have doors between the runs & the houses despite both saying they had. Hope this helps.

Spirit_2

One of my favourite chooks a 2 year old ex batt has bumblefoot. I have poulticed the bump with manuka honey & iodine, bandaged it, cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide. The bump is getting bigger.

The last time I took a chicken to be treated for this, the vet drained it and cleaned it out.........and charged £65. Chook did not thrive and shortly afterwards (about 10 days) she went badly downhill and Mr Spirit had to put her out of her misery.

I have spent about £300 so far this year on my chooks at the local vet and feel I have got to be a bit more practical. I have read on poultry forums about people who lance these themselves, I do not want to leave her in pain, am apprehensive about lancing it, and know that I am spending 'silly money' on treatment.

Any advice..........paralysed by indecision really.

Thanks -
Spirit

angelavdavis

Sorry Spirit, nothing much to add. I know you have paid out a lot in vet bills, but I personally would go to the vet, as it sounds like antibiotics are required to treat the underlying infection.

I am furious today as the same hen has gone broody again! She has been right as rain for three weeks and suddenly went yesterday. Even more annoying as I had deconstructed the broody cage a week or so ago so I have to rebuild it again!

Katharine

Any views on this one looks pretty bargainous considering P&P is included. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHICKEN-COOP-RUN-HOUSE-DUCK-HEN-RABBIT-POULTRY_W0QQitemZ270441600699QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry?hash=item3ef79356bb&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I decided to put an end to psycho chicken yesterday she was getting even more pointlessly vicious with my dog and the chicks. It was her keeping them out of the hen house at night as she attacks them as they go to bed.:mad:

Katharine

Any opinions on this one as well, is it a cheap copy as it doesnt have the tray or the same perches as the other one? They have offered me £15 of each one if I buy two tho. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250485118298&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

xnatalie81x

Making son his scrambly egg for brekkie this morn and decided to try out the huge one laid by princess (my white hen) - and it was A DOUBLE YOKER! this was laid 3 days ago and today i got another hoooooooooge one from her which i am guessing is another double. Now when i say huge i mean huge. Twice the size of the blue n brown ones!!! Can you imagine - eggs every day from all the hens (yes 21 a week when i expected 18!) and every few days a double from princess. She may have been a late starter (a week behind the other 2 who laid within a day of each other for first time) but she is my bestest friend now

Gave mum some eggs to take on hol and she fed them to my dad - and he said 'these taste nice, what are they' HA - mum is now on a mission to convince him to get a few GOOD LUCK lol

Spirit_2

With a neighbours help lanced the chooks bumble foot this morning. She has had baytril and is keeping her dressing on - so far so good.

Spirit