Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: sianobrien on November 23, 2007, 21:18

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: sianobrien on November 23, 2007, 21:18

Hello!

I have been bought a chicken coup for Christmas and will begin to keep chickens (two at first!) and wondered if you had any guidence on what they will need, what I will need to buy for them etc. I want to be as clued up as possible before I get them! I certainly WILL NOT have the chickens until I am satisfied I am armed with some good knowledge. Wanted them for so long but now need to gather information, anything and everything is welcome!!!

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: babe on November 23, 2007, 21:21

have you had a look through all the posts on here, its full of the best help and advice you need,

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=1688

is muntys chicken basics - a great thread.

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: babe on November 23, 2007, 21:22

and welcome to the site, you'll love it here :lol:

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: Aunt Sally on November 23, 2007, 21:27

Welcome sianobrien

Have a look through some of John's poultry information pages:

http://www.poultry.allotment-garden.org/chicken/index.php

Loads of information there

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: richyrich7 on November 23, 2007, 21:53

Welcome to the forum sianobrien  :D  plenty of good sound advice round here.

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: MontyTom on November 23, 2007, 22:05

a big must - make sure they are looking healthy and mite/lice free!  look at stock and pens they are coming from and check for hygiene levels.  look through feathers for mites if you can and ask when they were last wormed.  

don't expect to pay over the odds but good stock aint cheap, especially with the work that goes into rearing them.  you get what you pay for.  'rarer breed' birds can be quite pricey, so make sure you are sure about the breed you want.  can't go wrong with acoupe of warrens though for first time - eggs galore and friendly, but don't cost the earth.  considered ex-bats?

all the best and enjoy it!

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: Aunt Sally on November 23, 2007, 22:09

I think ex-batts for a first time keeper is a bit too difficult Monty.  

It can be quite stressful getting them back to health and good condition and a fairly high percentage die quite quickly  :cry:

Very rewarding for a slightly more experienced keeper though  :D

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: MontyTom on November 23, 2007, 22:14

true.  forgot about that.  maybe not a good experience if you get 2 and they keel over!  still, get some healthy warrens for not a lot.

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: richyrich7 on November 23, 2007, 22:15

Go for warrens like Monty suggested , so docile and friendly and they lay like loons.

About £4.50 at POL around here

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: MontyTom on November 23, 2007, 22:17

silkies might be another option if you like 'nice' birds.  depends if they are your cup-of-tea though, like any breed I suppose.  lay through the winter I am told.  have some in my incubator at the minute.

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: WG. on November 23, 2007, 22:31

Munty doesn't seem to be around so I'll just post what we all know he'd say ... welsummer or buff orps  :wink:

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: babe on November 23, 2007, 22:32

Quote from: "WG."

Munty doesn't seem to be around so I'll just post what we all know he'd say ... welsummer or buff orps  :wink:

does munty like wellies - well i never would have guessed that one  :wink:

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: Aunt Sally on November 23, 2007, 22:33

Quote from: "WG."

Munty doesn't seem to be around so I'll just post what we all know he'd say ... welsummer or buff orps  :wink:

He loves welsummers for eggs and meat and buff orpigton banties for broodies  :D

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: WG. on November 23, 2007, 22:34

Quote from: "happyvalley"

well i never would have guessed that one  

I'm pretty perceptive 'bout these things  :wink:

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: sianobrien on November 24, 2007, 10:57

You have all been so helpful already! Pleased I signed up :) another ignoramus question-is £25 for a 5kg feeder (with rain protector) and a 9 litre drinker a good price? Found a stockist of Poultry equipment on eBay...any thoughts?

Thank yoooou  :D

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: babe on November 24, 2007, 11:13

try

www.ascott.biz

they carry most things for chooks and delivery costs are cheap and quick.

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: Kym503 on November 24, 2007, 11:16

I don't think you will need such a large feeder for only 2 hens.

Title: An expectant Chicken keeper
Post by: chickychick on November 24, 2007, 13:27

Hi
I was new to chicken keeping and only got my 4 chickens in august, I got loads of advice and help on here and fingers crossed it has been great, no illness or worries at all and they are all still laying every day which to me means I cant be mucking it up too much  :lol:

I have 2 amberlinks and 2 bovan goldlines and am very happy with em, full of personality and laying well too. (large brown eggs) I would suggest 3 birds instead of 2 due to them being happiest in bigger groups and they will keep warm more easily.  

I didnt get fancy chicken feeders and drinkers I just use a big black bucket for water in their run and in their house I have an icecream tub with water in it, it has to be big enough not to tip over.  I use an old baking tray to put thier layers pellets on outside and it goes in a part of the run that doesnt get wet.  

I give them an old deep cereal bowl with grit in and another with oestra grit and I put cider vinegar in their water every time I change it.

I dont think you will regret haing chickens I love it now!