keeping chickens - help and advice (merged)

lka200

Churchrat mine have mixed corn, layers mash, weetabix mixed with warm water in the winter cold months for brekkie and their absolute favourite is dried meal worms and of course the worms they find in the earth!

churchrat

Ika200--thanks for that . Mine have the extras too, but still hardly anyeggs. Was getting a lot when we first had them, its just as tho they havn't started laying again after the winter. Have you had many ex-bats before? I was just wondering if thier early mistreatment means that they don't lay as they get into thier 2and 3rd yr. The other hens I've had (not ex-bat) laid for yrs
thanks

lka200

These are my first ex batts church rat, so i dont know how long they will keep this high production up! Personally i wouldnt care if they didnt lay as im just glad to give them a happy retirement. Hopefully your girls will start to lay again when we get some nice hot weather..(will we ever get any good weather i wonder?)
Lucy x

lka200

Ps i like down the lane too...im juicy lucy on there

churchrat

I don't mind if they don't lay, its just that I sort of sold them to the family on the "fresh eggs every day from free chickens" scenario and now they have made me look silly!!!!! we all are very fond of them now and I think I would get them again. see you downthelane!!:beer:

just thought, my neighbours have put up some new trees and fencing, making the bottom of my garden dark--think I'll move them and see what happens

dora37

For some great information on chicken keeping:

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/

http://www.kelseyinfo.co.uk/yabb/YaBB.pl

and for information on ex-batts:

www.bhwt.co.uk

Hope that helps.

cheeks

Thanks so much for this thread and the advice. Ive been looking on 'down the lane' and its very interesting. They've raised quite a lot of questions, like do any of you have any trouble with rats? i'm sure my neighbours wouldn't be too pleased if we introduced some to the area! Can they fly or would i be able to let them run loose in the garden sometimes? Mites have been mentioned but how common is this and is it costly to treat? Are they financially beneficial or does it actually cost more to keep them than you save on buying eggs, you all seem to talk of them more as pets (which is lovely).

lka200

Cheeks have a look at the links Dora has suggested they are all very good places to inform youself.
You would be able to let them out in the garden and generally hens dont fly but you can get some which are a bit flighty.. you can clip one of their wings which solves the problem usually.
I have never had a rat problem...usually rats are present when food is left lying around or spilt or if you store the feed inappropriately. A metal dustbin is ideal for storing and i always bring my feeding bowls indoors at night.
Ive never had mites either in the 3 years ive kept hens but if mites/lice become a problem there are numerous powders/sprays suitable..they cost about a tenner and last a while. I put some powder in the house and nest boxes when i clean them out as a preventative measure and it works for me.
I haven't bought an egg for over 3 years so not too up on the price these days. one thing for sure though if you can sell your surplus eggs to family/friends neighbours..you will have a demand and will be lucky if you can supply enough! especially as they will be the best eggs they have ever tasted and word gets around.
My little darlings are pets and if they stop laying i would never cull and replace as for me these little girls have had a dreadful life in the cages and they can happily retire at my place eggs or not.
Ive got 8 girls altoghether and I WANT MORE! they are best!:j
Lucy x

nomoneytoday

I buy free range eggs, but it is easy to see why an MSE would be tempted.
Free range are 20-25 pence an egg. Battery ones are £2 for 30 in my grocer (7p each)

jumblejack

Hi,
We have thought about this for a while and on Saturday we went to Moseley Old Hall that had ex battery hens running around with an advert on the gate. Only problem is we have a 3 month old Cavalier King Charles puupy who is very boisterous. What would be best?> Waiting until she is bigger and more placid or fencing an area off for the chickens anyway? (We also have a beautiful rabbit who has a lot of the garden to charge around in everyday to his hearts content....we have a BIG garden)......advice anyone?