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Post by Sleepy on Nov 7, 2007 12:35:51 GMT 1
Soprry Mytle - I'm a little bit in the same boat as you. Trying to fix the smiley problem, and look over my shoulder for bosses at the same time ;D
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Post by Sweetleaf on Nov 7, 2007 13:36:00 GMT 1
I've always wanted to keep chickens but not practical at our house, but in preparation did a course with Francine Raymond, have my 'starter' kit ready! I know sad, but in the meantime, can I enjoy your 'Tales from the Chickens'? Took hubby to a nursery in the summer on a farm and they had chickens wandering round as we were choosing the plants and he began to see why I am so keen on keeping some (apart from the eggs). Myrtle Same here! Next doors rats are what is putting me off, I would love to have hens otherwise.  |
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Post by debbiem on Nov 7, 2007 13:39:34 GMT 1
I've always wanted to keep chickens but not practical at our house, but in preparation did a course with Francine Raymond, have my 'starter' kit ready! I know sad, but in the meantime, can I enjoy your 'Tales from the Chickens'? Took hubby to a nursery in the summer on a farm and they had chickens wandering round as we were choosing the plants and he began to see why I am so keen on keeping some (apart from the eggs). Myrtle I'm glad you're enjoying the Tales, Myrtle - it's very infectious though, this chickenkeeping lark - when you do get some both you and hubby'll be well and truly hooked, and then there's no going back.........  . |
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Post by debbiem on Nov 7, 2007 13:51:36 GMT 1
I've always wanted to keep chickens but not practical at our house, but in preparation did a course with Francine Raymond, have my 'starter' kit ready! I know sad, but in the meantime, can I enjoy your 'Tales from the Chickens'? Took hubby to a nursery in the summer on a farm and they had chickens wandering round as we were choosing the plants and he began to see why I am so keen on keeping some (apart from the eggs). Myrtle Same here! Next doors rats are what is putting me off, I would love to have hens otherwise. At least then if you do get some chickens nobody'll be able to blame you for attracting the rats - and the cats'll have a field day!Seriously though, the only problem would be not attracting the rats over to your garden if they're in residence already next door - would they make an effort to come over for corn and pellets, I suppose they eat everything don't they? Any scraps would pose more of a problem, they'd have to be taken away as soon as the chickens had finished with them. When we lived out in the country we had a resident rat who used to come out of the bank to get his share of the scraps, he never bothered us because we never saw hordes of them. I'm sure I'd be like 4P and you Sweetleaf if I saw loads of them swarming around at once.  Touchwood we don't have any problems at all - all the food goes in at night, no scraps are ever allowed to lay around and hopefully that'll keep both rats and, just as bad, seagulls away. The cats bring in only as many mice as they did before the hens arrived so we've got away with it so far. |
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Post by Sweetleaf on Nov 7, 2007 13:59:31 GMT 1
Same here! Next doors rats are what is putting me off, I would love to have hens otherwise. At least then if you do get some chickens nobody'll be able to blame you for attracting the rats - and the cats'll have a field day!Seriously though, the only problem would be not attracting the rats over to your garden if they're in residence already next door - would they make an effort to come over for corn and pellets, I suppose they eat everything don't they? Any scraps would pose more of a problem, they'd have to be taken away as soon as the chickens had finished with them. When we lived out in the country we had a resident rat who used to come out of the bank to get his share of the scraps, he never bothered us because we never saw hordes of them. I'm sure I'd be like 4P and you Sweetleaf if I saw loads of them swarming around at once. Touchwood we don't have any problems at all - all the food goes in at night, no scraps are ever allowed to lay around and hopefully that'll keep both rats and, just as bad, seagulls away. The cats bring in only as many mice as they did before the hens arrived so we've got away with it so far. Las month the cats left me 12 dead rat babies in the garden, the older ones are probably too big to tackle or too clever to be caught, I cant imagine my cats will ever completely eradicate them, but the neighbour isnt helping as she has now got a dog to keep cats out of her garden, I feel sorry for the dog, but also Im grossed out by the fact that she leaves the dogs droppings even though she knows rats eat them.  One day perhaps, Ill move somewhere it will be ok to have hens, but it isnt here. |
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Post by debbiem on Nov 7, 2007 14:12:17 GMT 1
The rats EAT them! That's so ugh! What an irresponsible person your neighbour is. Maybe they'll move and the rats'll diminish or go with them and then you can have some hens - what a shame! Rat babies - yuk! And never seeing the big ones must be VERY worrying. So the neighbour doesn't want cats in the garden but seems unbothered by rats - oh very normal! |
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Post by Sweetleaf on Nov 7, 2007 14:15:39 GMT 1
The rats EAT them! That's so ugh! What an irresponsible person your neighbour is. Maybe they'll move and the rats'll diminish or go with them and then you can have some hens - what a shame! Rat babies - yuk! And never seeing the big ones must be VERY worrying. So the neighbour doesn't want cats in the garden but seems unbothered by rats - oh very normal! I dont call her "Toxic" (amongst other less charitable things) for nothing! |
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Post by debbiem on Nov 7, 2007 14:26:11 GMT 1
The rats EAT them! That's so ugh! What an irresponsible person your neighbour is. Maybe they'll move and the rats'll diminish or go with them and then you can have some hens - what a shame! Rat babies - yuk! And never seeing the big ones must be VERY worrying. So the neighbour doesn't want cats in the garden but seems unbothered by rats - oh very normal! I dont call her "Toxic" (amongst other less charitable things) for nothing! Sounds like an Old Bat who don't mind rats but can't stand cats - there's a song in there somewhere.... ;D |
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Post by debbiem on Nov 20, 2007 15:41:50 GMT 1
Just thought I'd mention that one of the Copper Marans, aka Tiny, has just started laying. What a time of year to start! It's cold, dark and damp - but yesterday's egg was big and a beautiful dark brown. Youngest daughter had it for her tea. Tiny made a bit of a song and dance before laying it though - can't blame her, from the size of the egg compared to the size of her I think I would too!
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Post by debbiem on Nov 22, 2007 15:04:06 GMT 1
It's odd isn't it? I know of othere people whose chickens are laying more now than they did in August. My daughter loves checking for eggs - it's a joy to see.  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 22, 2007 16:58:40 GMT 1
Quite often young hens will lay right through their first season. Once the egg making machine inside them kicks off they are hard to stop. They probably won't lay every day during the dark season but they will still produce maybe 3 a week, more if you're lucky. Let's hope they don't go broody in Spring too. You will have daily eggs all summer then too and they won't stop until they moult in the Autumn. Chickens are wonderful things.
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Post by debbiem on Nov 23, 2007 11:09:42 GMT 1
Aren't they just 4P? We love ours to death. Both the Speckled Sussex and one of the Marans crouch when I'm around, allowing me to pick them up and stroke their necks and chests - I've never had chickens like it! What you say about the egg laying is spot on. The Maran who's laying lays about 3 a week. We think it's both the Speckled Sussex who lust be laying, at first we thought it was just the one but there's a regular supply of eggs in the henhouse, and sometimes more than one a day so we think it's a combined effort. I wonder whether any of the others will follow suit during the Winter? : Like you say, if the egg laying mechanism inside them has switched itself on they'll keep going. |
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Post by emseypop on Jan 15, 2008 20:39:25 GMT 1
After Debidoos told me about an article she spotted in grow your own mag I looked on the battery hen welfare trust website. I am really interested in rescuing some hens. I have a large run in mind for a coup. Its about 4ft by 3 ft and 3,5 ft high it has an enclosed section with a door that closes and a floor. I was only thinking 3 or 4 hens what do you think? Would I need to put somewhere for the hens to roost inside? I've emailed the local rescue co-ordinarier who told me they rescue 500 in the west mids every 6 weeks, the next batch is sat and they are all reserved, 2/3 of the batch due the end of Feb are also reserved!
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Post by 4pygmies on Jan 15, 2008 21:52:22 GMT 1
After Debidoos told me about an article she spotted in grow your own mag I looked on the battery hen welfare trust website. I am really interested in rescuing some hens. I have a large run in mind for a coup. Its about 4ft by 3 ft and 3,5 ft high it has an enclosed section with a door that closes and a floor. I was only thinking 3 or 4 hens what do you think? Would I need to put somewhere for the hens to roost inside? I've emailed the local rescue co-ordinarier who told me they rescue 500 in the west mids every 6 weeks, the next batch is sat and they are all reserved, 2/3 of the batch due the end of Feb are also reserved! It sounds fine Emsey. There are all sorts of new fangled ways to keep chickens these days but they really only require an area of ground so they can peck, a dry area to have dust baths and a secure, dry and draught proof place to roost at night. A roost can simply be a sanded wooden bar, approx 3" wide , placed at least 24" above the ground where they can perch. You can improve their conditions to suit yourself but they are very easy to care for really. I think it's great that you want to rehome battery chickens but there can be a few teething problems. The main ones are those of habit and social intercourse as they will not have developed the normal pecking order and social skills hens naturally acquire in the normal ways. And they may not know how to roost either. It's quite common to have to physically take them in at night and lift them onto their perches until they get the idea. That was certainly my experience many years ago when I took in my first chickens whch were rescued battery hens. They were totally clueless, and so was I! We muddled along until we all got the idea. They were lovely birds (eventually) and it was a pleasure to watch their real joy in exploring my garden and finding out how to peck and scratch for food. If you put a board under their roost, you catch most of the muck which makes things easier and also if you can stand in their run and house it makes it much more comfortable to work in there. I would really encourage you to get battery hens as it is a very rewarding thing to do. The eggs have a totally different taste to any you are likely to buy and chickens are generally such nice creatures and fascinating to look after. The kids will love it and gain an enormous benefit from it. But the rodent hordes must also be taken into consideration.... |
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Post by emseypop on Jan 15, 2008 23:17:50 GMT 1
Thanks 4p, I'm really glad you think its a good idea! The BHTW website talks about 'teaching' the birds to roost. I'll have to add bars. Hopefully I will be able to keep the rodent hoards at bay, I'll just have to spot clean and make sure everything goes away with the chickens at night. I hope the cats will be ok, I think they'll spend alot of time in the run, i'm not sure my garden is secure enough to let them roam. I've ordered a book from amazon, keeping chickens as pets so it looks like its a done deal ;D
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Post by Sweetleaf on Jan 15, 2008 23:25:50 GMT 1
Thanks 4p, I'm really glad you think its a good idea! The BHTW website talks about 'teaching' the birds to roost. I'll have to add bars. Hopefully I will be able to keep the rodent hoards at bay, I'll just have to spot clean and make sure everything goes away with the chickens at night. I hope the cats will be ok, I think they'll spend alot of time in the run, i'm not sure my garden is secure enough to let them roam. I've ordered a book from amazon, keeping chickens as pets so it looks like its a done deal ;D Just make sure you can secure the hen house at night Emsey, you wont believe how clever Foxes are.  |
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Post by debbiem on Jan 16, 2008 11:11:41 GMT 1
What a brilliant thing you're doing Emsey, and how rewarding it'll be when you see the fruits of your labours and you've nursed them back to health and normality. The Practical Poultry forum is EXCELLENT for anthing poultry-related, and they have a section on rescue and battery hens. They have LOADS of members and people joining every day so there are a lot of people on there starting from scratch(scuse the pun). ;D There is a Practical Poultry magazine, too. www.kelseyinfo.co.uk/yabb/YaBB.plGreat to know that so many people want them, too. Only 3 or 4 hens? We'll see. : |
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Post by emseypop on Jan 16, 2008 11:24:14 GMT 1
What a brilliant thing you're doing Emsey, and how rewarding it'll be when you see the fruits of your labours and you've nursed them back to health and normality. The Practical Poultry forum is EXCELLENT for anthing poultry-related, and they have a section on rescue and battery hens. They have LOADS of members and people joining every day so there are a lot of people on there starting from scratch(scuse the pun). ;D There is a Practical Poultry magazine, too. www.kelseyinfo.co.uk/yabb/YaBB.plGreat to know that so many people want them, too. Only 3 or 4 hens? We'll see. : Your right, mrs B I can see me ending up with loads, if we get on ok with the first few. I really feel the place we want to put them is big enough for 3 or 4. If we do take to keeping them we may lay out more money (no pun intended) for a bigger home for them. The enclosed part of the run will have a wooden floor Yet to be added and a door, with a bolt, yet to be added. I'll have a good look on the site you linked, thanks mrs B. I cant wait for my book to come from amazon. |
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Post by debbiem on Jan 16, 2008 11:27:22 GMT 1
Thanks 4p, I'm really glad you think its a good idea! The BHTW website talks about 'teaching' the birds to roost. I'll have to add bars. Hopefully I will be able to keep the rodent hoards at bay, I'll just have to spot clean and make sure everything goes away with the chickens at night. I hope the cats will be ok, I think they'll spend alot of time in the run, i'm not sure my garden is secure enough to let them roam. I've ordered a book from amazon, keeping chickens as pets so it looks like its a done deal ;D When your hens get their confidence up it'll probably be the cats who will have to watch out. ;D |
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Post by debbiem on Jan 16, 2008 11:31:00 GMT 1
After Debidoos told me about an article she spotted in grow your own mag I looked on the battery hen welfare trust website. I am really interested in rescuing some hens. I have a large run in mind for a coup. Its about 4ft by 3 ft and 3,5 ft high it has an enclosed section with a door that closes and a floor. I was only thinking 3 or 4 hens what do you think? Would I need to put somewhere for the hens to roost inside? I've emailed the local rescue co-ordinarier who told me they rescue 500 in the west mids every 6 weeks, the next batch is sat and they are all reserved, 2/3 of the batch due the end of Feb are also reserved! It's a good idea too to have the henhouse raised off the ground a bit , for all sorts of reasons. |
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Post by debbiem on Jan 16, 2008 13:39:33 GMT 1
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Post by emseypop on Jan 16, 2008 15:45:34 GMT 1
Very good Mrs B, I can see i'll prolly end up geting a new run for the guinea pigs Just heard back from the really lovely lady from the bhwt and reserved 4 chickens for the end of next month. I cant wait! |
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Post by debbiem on Jan 17, 2008 12:15:08 GMT 1
Very good Mrs B, I can see i'll prolly end up geting a new run for the guinea pigs Just heard back from the really lovely lady from the bhwt and reserved 4 chickens for the end of next month. I cant wait! Great! How exciting - all the anticipation of the things to come, lovely! The Poultry Forum is really worthwhile, Emsey, but I won't keep going on about it. : |
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Post by emseypop on Jan 17, 2008 13:09:44 GMT 1
i've been on its great, I like the idea of useing one of those outdoor storage boxes for a coup. I'm forwarding it to debidoos as I think she has caught the bug ;D
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Post by bogmyrtle on Jan 17, 2008 15:17:18 GMT 1
i've been on its great, I like the idea of useing one of those outdoor storage boxes for a coup. I'm forwarding it to debidoos as I think she has caught the bug ;D I'm getting excited for you! Bet you can't wait ;D |
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