[Sadgit]

thanks everyone... made me see sense. I have a good tip I am hoping to follow-up on

Alan, I've had a scan at the price it would cost for a few bits of wood and that is going to cost a fair bit and thanks for the offer

Cheers
Mark

[Sadgit]

right quick update.. I just bought a chicken coop.. cost me 90 quids. I know you all say I should build one, but I just haven't had the them and if I don't do it now I never will

But, I am going to make my own run as the ones you can buy I think are way too small, and too expensive.

I guess I need a book on how to keep chicken, as I was a kid when I last had them... so hmmm what else do I need ?? yes before someone says, chickens!!!

[Aunt Sally]

Feeders and feed, Poultry grit, and crushed oyster shell
Drinkers and water with Apple Cider Vinegar
A few medications :
Wormer
Mite/Lice powder

That's a start.

Don't forget that six hen keepers will have eight opinions  :roll:

[Sadgit]

thanks Sally.. where do you buy the food from?

[Aunt Sally]

I get it from a local animal/pet feed store.

You can get it on line too

[Lilac]

Why is apple cider vinegar recommended for the chickens water? and how much of it do you have to put in?

[Aunt Sally]

It's good for their digestion and helps to prevent worms.  Worming must be done too though.

Munty recommends half a cup in 10 gallons I think,  that's probably about 100 ml in 10 litres.  You can do the sums from there  :shock:

[Ali]

Does it need to go in all their water all the time?

[Sadgit]

I am so confused as to what you feed them... so many places/people say different things..

Do they need both of these??
http://www.smallholderfeed.co.uk/layers.htm
http://www.smallholderfeed.co.uk/poultry/3.htm

or is there something else? The water bit I have covered


and for the floor/nesting boxes, would you use straw from the petshop, i.e. the stuff you can get for rabbits?

sorry about this folks... but I am stupid

[Lilac]

How often do they need worming? And can I use normal bird worming tablets or is there special ones for hens? sorry if i sound  a bit dim, but i really want to get this right!

[Aunt Sally]

Does it need to go in all their water all the time?

I use it all the time but some people only use it for about 1 week per month.

[Aunt Sally]

How often do they need worming? And can I use normal bird worming tablets or is there special ones for hens? sorry if i sound  a bit dim, but i really want to get this right!

Worm every 3-6 months.  I would recommend flubenvet.  Do read the worming stickey in this forum.

[Aunt Sally]

I am so confused as to what you feed them... so many places/people say different things..

Do they need both of these??
http://www.smallholderfeed.co.uk/layers.htm
http://www.smallholderfeed.co.uk/poultry/3.htm

or is there something else? The water bit I have covered


and for the floor/nesting boxes, would you use straw from the pet shop, i.e. the stuff you can get for rabbits?

sorry about this folks... but I am stupid

Munty would tell you entirely different to my recommendations, but mine for laying hens is:

Layers pellets ad lib all day

Grit and oyster in a separate dish/feeder ad lib

A handful of mixed corn per hen in the late afternoon.  (Mine won't eat it though  :roll: )

Fresh greens every day if possible

A few treats (not many) just for fun

If free ranging they will hoover up any insects they can find, worms, slugs, snails (frogs and mice if they can catch them) - all good protein

Read muntjacs sticky.  Lots of down to earth advice there.

Cut up Pet shop straw is fine, but I had to stop using it as my hens started to eat it and I was concerned that it would be bad for them.  I use aubiose (Hemcore).

You certainly are not stupid Sadgit.  It's sensible to try to find out as much as you can before taking on a creature whose life and welfare you are entirely responsible for  :!:

[Lilac]

Thanks Aunt Sally, I hadn't spotted the worming sticky.   :roll:

[Sadgit]

Thanks Sally. Do you keep the feeders/drinker in the coop itself? I am guess the answer is yes..

The comprehensive replies are greatly appreciated.. Cheers