[FCG]

Porffor by my measuring (which may be off by 2-5cm) it is... drumroll..

2.15m * 2.66m = 5.71900msq So roughly 5.7 meters square. But is now only 90cm ish (3ft) hight But the netting should keep them in.

Which when i look at how much is needed per chook (1msq) is staggering. I've only gone and doubled it (Muahahaha chicks next year or goslings) However about 1msq to 1.5msq is taken up by the coop. I might get rid of this by raising it on stilts but only so high as the top section is over the netting.

The netting also is also to go over is supposedly going to go over and be removable.

I cant wait to go to the farm and buy!

[Porffor]

Hmmm i never was any good at maths. I have 3m x 2.8m and thought i was pushing it for 3 birds! I hadn't allowed for height which varies between 4' and 5' front to back. So how many birds would that give me? I'm going to have 4 hopefully by the end of the week, but had thought that would be full capacity.  
Yes.. i am blonde.  :roll: well under my hair dye anyway.

[poultrygeist]

Just a quick bit of mental arithmetic I make it about 8.4 square metres giving you room for a theoretical 8 birds but I think at least 2 sq m/bird is more of a long term ideal.

That way they can move away from each other if they squabble, etc.

I think ours have about 2 to 2.5 each. Some on concrete under the coop.
And plenty of branches/logs to perch on, plus a very small conifer and a shelter to sit under/on.

I plan to add a further 4 or so sq m whichh has a chopped back laurel in it so they can perch in that  and no doubt eat the leaves. As far as I know, it's not poisonous.

Rob  

[Porffor]

Thanks Rob! Will stick at 4 unless i extend the length of the run in time Good to know that 4 isn't too many though.

[poultrygeist]

I think you can probably tell if it's too small. They'll be bullying and squabbling all the time.
Ours don't get out at all so I like to keep it a bit more 'enriched' as they say.

If they free range I would guess they can get all their stimulation from the wider area.

Rob  

[Kate and her Ducks]

I hope you have gathered that pictures are completely compulsory the moment those chooks feet hit the ground. You seem like a smart man so hopefully there won't have to be any ugly last demands    

[FCG]

Indeed as soon as i have them, they will be put on here. There is an outside chance that'll get them today.

No promises!

I first need food, bedding, feeder and drinker. IF i can get them from the same place, i'll get them today,

IF!

[Porffor]

OOOH!! how exciting.. now get out.. go shopping!

[FCG]

They have arrived! 3 chickens! A black comet, a amberlink and a golden rocket.

I still havn't got everything down yet, but they've got food and water and they are disease free.  I have the feed, straw bedding and wood shavings. I don't have the proper feeders and drinkers but they'll be here shortly as i've discovered a large poultry & wildfowl centre.

Got a dust bath already. They made it....

[Porffor]

and WHERE are the pictures.. come on you know how! lol

what are they called, are they point of lay? or laying already?

I'm sure they'll muddle through ok with temp water/feeder

Glad you have your chooks do you have kids? just being nosey about levels of excitement! lol

[FCG]

Camera needs charging! I'll get them up. The brown one is Susie and the other two arn't named anything yet. I hope i don't have kids, i'm only 18!

[poultrygeist]

Well done !

Don't forget to check the water regularly until you get the drinker. they easily kick it over or fill it with rubbish.

But I reckon you'll be checking on them quite a bit in teh next few hours  

Enjoy them and take plenty of pics.  

Rob  

[Porffor]

Camera needs charging! I'll get them up. The brown one is Susie and the other two arn't named anything yet. I hope i don't have kids, i'm only 18!

ooops! Your chooks are now officially your babies!

[FCG]

Well here are my babies!



Sorry it's a bad pic, it's pouring down right now so i cant take more.
The golden (or red, i forget) rocket has been adopted by my brother and is called Susie, the black comet is Tarbuck (or buccy or tarbie) and the amberlink is called millie or minnie. So many decisions!

Apparently I'm to expect eggs within 3 weeks.

Oh here is a close up:



Any further tips? I've put them to bed early (8:30) as i asked the woman what time she locked them up and she said usually when she is there they are free range (within a v. large pen) but usually disappear at 9pm.

[poultrygeist]

Welcome to the club at last Mike.  

My tip. Set your alarm for 6am.  
Mine is.  :?

Although they'd love to get up at 4am when the sun is up, so you'll be shouted at when you let them out so late  :roll:

Just get to know them over teh next few days and weeks so you can spot if they start picking up any problems. Don't expect any but you never know  

Rob