I had one that would dig like crazy, spent hours a day just digging! Blesspreppingsu wrote:Yep, did that too and she still got out! By god she can jump. But she only does it when our backs are turned....
keeping chickens how to get started?
Re: keeping chickens how to get started?
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preppingsu
Re: keeping chickens how to get started?
Pecking order - that is a bummer to watch.
When introducing new hens to already established ones you need to have a way of keeping them separate to start with and then have the time to introduce them to each other. The first lot we did was in the winter so we were separating them in the dark before work and them putting them into the coop as soon as we got home, usually in the dark.
After that we did new introductions in the summer and it worked so much better (apart from the fighting!!).
There are lots of tips about this such as putting Vaseline in the combs to stop other chickens hanging on...
When introducing new hens to already established ones you need to have a way of keeping them separate to start with and then have the time to introduce them to each other. The first lot we did was in the winter so we were separating them in the dark before work and them putting them into the coop as soon as we got home, usually in the dark.
After that we did new introductions in the summer and it worked so much better (apart from the fighting!!).
There are lots of tips about this such as putting Vaseline in the combs to stop other chickens hanging on...
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bob the builder
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:32 pm
Re: keeping chickens how to get started?
I was thinking this sort of coop
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=chick ... 5197248401
with a row of slabs underneath and bolted down with wood chips in the bottom. Would I still need a larger area to keep them?
There seems to be a bit of a different ideas online about how long they live and lay eggs for any real world experiences
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=chick ... 5197248401
with a row of slabs underneath and bolted down with wood chips in the bottom. Would I still need a larger area to keep them?
There seems to be a bit of a different ideas online about how long they live and lay eggs for any real world experiences
Not planning for the end of the world just to survive till normality resumes, while sticking to the scout moto be prepared!
Still considering do I want to survive the end of the world or deck chair on the front lawn with a cold beer?
Still considering do I want to survive the end of the world or deck chair on the front lawn with a cold beer?
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Jack the Lad
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 8:18 pm
Re: keeping chickens how to get started?
A great place for info and assistance and a for sale section
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/fo ... ?board=3.0
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/fo ... ?board=3.0
Re: keeping chickens how to get started?
All of the above!
Get your information, as much as possible. Find a poultry keeper and look and ask. Get your equipment and housing in place before your birds arrive. Make sure your run has a removable roof to keep the rain off- it is kinder in bad weather. Make sure the run has a wire roof. Open tops are asking for a predator to get in. Make sure predators cannot dig under the run.
If you buy one of the hen houses you see on the web, make sure it is anchored down. The runs are quite lightweight and a fox can move it.
Good luck, it is a lovely pastime.
Get your information, as much as possible. Find a poultry keeper and look and ask. Get your equipment and housing in place before your birds arrive. Make sure your run has a removable roof to keep the rain off- it is kinder in bad weather. Make sure the run has a wire roof. Open tops are asking for a predator to get in. Make sure predators cannot dig under the run.
If you buy one of the hen houses you see on the web, make sure it is anchored down. The runs are quite lightweight and a fox can move it.
Good luck, it is a lovely pastime.
In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: It goes on.
Robert Frost.
Covid 19: After that level of weirdness ,any situation is certainly possible.
Me.
Robert Frost.
Covid 19: After that level of weirdness ,any situation is certainly possible.
Me.
Re: keeping chickens how to get started?
J26 of the M1, head towards Ikea (A610 West) there's a signpost for a company which sells hen keeping things and specialises in hens as pets. Not been there, but seen the sign a few times... It may be helpful to anyone passing that way who may be interested?
Entirely certain that nothing is certain
Location: Areas 8 & 10
Location: Areas 8 & 10
Re: keeping chickens how to get started?
Some pretty good advice here, but you don't have to spend a fortune on feeders and such, make your own, use a small pail or tub for water, though you will have to change the water more often as it gets dirty quicker. Also remember oyster shell grit or you may end up with an egg-eater. You can recycle the eggshells by crushing used eggs but make sure they're dried out first. was given an old remedy for worms, add a little cider vinegar to the drinking water.