[Scrumptious]

Hello,

I'm SO excited! We are hoping to get 4 Hens this week.  I have a few unanswered questions and since this seems to be the place to find answers I thought that I would trust the experts!!

I have got my House coming tomorrow, a water thing, a food thing, Layer Pellets, Corn stuff, Oyster stuff, grit stuff, wood chippings, Straw (not hay as advised by the chicken man), some powder stuff for lice etc. (although not sure what i do with it!?), a shovel for pooh, and a couple of buckets for transporting it to the allotment.

We have 4 names... (Mrs Johnson, Aunty Mabel, Pippin and Matilda) and from the reading that i have done I think I know roughly what to do.  I plan to let them out in the garden when i am at home and put them away when I go out... is this best? will they pooh anywhere or just in their house and if they do pooh in the garden is it easy to clear up?

So in their nest boxes i put the straw and the wood shavings in the living room? do i put newspaper underneith it to make it easier to clean? we haven't got a house with a pull out floor.  When i clean it out do i just sweep the floor or is there some disinfecting required... the lady in the supplies shop didn't give me a definitive answer!

How high can they can jump or fly with clipped wings?

We are getting Point of Lay Warrens... when can i expect to start getting eggs? ( i need to tell my daughter as she is really excited but want to manage her expectations!)

I read that i suspend the food off the ground to prevent pests... how far off the ground? I am planning on bringing the food in at night when i tuck them up... do i put the water in their bed rooms?

I didn't buy the chicken drink from the shop, i've not read about it... should i have?

Sorry to sound like a complete novice but the books don't say it straight!

Really appreciate any help or advice you can offer me..... thanks!

Sarah

[norsewood]

I'll be watching this post with interest - as I'm EGGzactly like you but have another week to go! Good questions!
Good luck 

[mumofstig]

I'll move this over to the Hen House, where more people who are able to help will read it
 

[Scrumptious]

Thanks for moving it... in the mean time i found the hen house section and posted it there too... can't seem to be able to delete one posting... any ideas?