50 something man seeking to save to retire before 60!

Quick update- spent 7 hours cleaning the car for my son, hopefully it won't take too much to get through the MOT, but even though not at the limit I'm going to change the tyres, service due in 4.5k miles so think I'd rather get the tyres instead, after all that's all that's between him and the road.


Hens laying well and a joy to watch.

ManofLeisure wrote: »

crv1963, as a matter of interest, do you have any experience of Eglu products? Keeping hens has always appealed to me, but I know very little about the subject My wife went to the library last week and came home with a number of books - probably to put me off !! It didn't work and I'm more keen than ever

No personal experience of Eglu products but have seen them in use at our local hen place- www.durhamhens.co.uk look easy to use and easy to clean. There's a very good thread I discovered on a thread the link is I think- Keeping hens and ducks chat!! Hens & ducks names & how many eggs do you get per day


I think it is so relaxing having hens, not very hard to care for and you know what you've fed them so what has gone into the eggs. I'd say go for it.


I'd suggest getting a run for them and put the hen house of whatever type you choose inside it, then have a look at what type/ breed you want.


CRV


Edit- It's not the hens that are expensive, quite the opposite, but the equipment, but once you have the hen house and run the ongoing costs are low, bedding, mite powder and feed are all inexpensive.

ManofLeisure wrote: »

CRV,


Many thanks for the links and info. Out of interest, what breed of hens do you have?

We have 2 Columbines- friendly if nervous that lay green coloured eggs although some lay blue or cream ones, 1 Copper Black, friendly and lays brown eggs, 1 Amber (which is actually white in colour) friendly were told that the breed could be nervous but she really is easily bribed to come to us, lays brown eggs and 1 Speckledy, friendly and lays brown eggs.


The Columbines are actually the most nervous but once used to you they all come running when they see you. With the run - ours is one with a wire mesh roof and a tarpaulin over one third to keep the worst of the rain off them and their house- they can safely be allowed to roam and scratch about without fear of pigeons eating their food and infecting them, I put fencing boards around the edges of the run to stop them getting out and delay any foxes getting in.