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Okay - so we've got the hen house, we think we want to have chickens - for eggs only, couldn't possibily eat them (or at least I couldn't, o/h could). Now I need advice on whether it's a good idea or not. The area they would be kept in is as safe as it's possible to get. We have the commitment to make sure they are kept in the best conditions we can. BUT - we know nothing, and the thought of killing them with kindness or ignorence is really scary. We have a contact who rescues young vaccinated chicks from battery farms, no idea what the breed would be. We only go away from home on the odd weekend, could they cope? We have a young grandchild, stupid question probably but are chickens child friendly? Sorry if I sound really sad but we care enough to make sure we are, at least, not just thinking of keeping chooks as a short-term thing.

It'd be a shame to see a chook house go to waste Go on, you know you really want to!! Ex-batts are usually a breed called Warrens or ISA Browns or Amber Links (I think, don't quote me on that!!) They've had a hard life before they're rescued and it's wonderful watching them change into confident girls and being "proper" chickens. They're really friendly and cuddly (usually) and they'll still lay eggs for you for another couple of years or even longer. You'll get all the help, support and advice you need here on the vine, so don't worry

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My girls found their way into my heart and now they nest there

Aren't there lots of rules and regs to follow when you have live stock or is my o/h just winding me up 'cause he doesnt really want any?

Amberlilley, unless you want more than 50 and are going to sell their eggs via a shop there are no rules and regs. You can keep hens in your back garden (although I think not cockerals) its just down to if you have enough time and space, and can afford to do it.
Ger-annie-um..go for it Get a basic book (there are some recommendations on various threads on here) and ask every question you can think of on here too, everyone does and you get loads of help. Most hens are child friendly..with the usual caveats, make sure your chooks are used to being handled by yourselves first, dont let children treat them like dolls but show them how to pick them up properly and to put them down before they get fed up and are tempted to struggle or peck, and dont leave young children on their own with ANY livestock, not just chooks. Even the most patient animal will retaliate if hurt accidently.
Pre battery babies will be healthier than ex-bats, but they wont start to lay for several months..so if you want instant eggs..nope. But they will be really used to you by the time they start, and theres nowt like seeing them grow up

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Anyone who says nothing is impossible has never tried slamming a revolving door

Maybe if you can't eat the chooks eggs you need to have a rethink about keeping ex bats as thats what they are bred for.....eggs! Or would you rather go to Sainsbury's and buy battery hens eggs?

There are breeds of pure bred chooks that don't lay a lot of eggs, maybe thats an option...........or cockerels are always needing homes.

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My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

Yup...both of you- go for it...you'll never understand why you waited so long!

And - yup- we're all here to help you through any teething probs ( there are a few of us who are veterans of 'Panic' posts!!!..and we're still utterly addicted!

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"Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

I think you already decided when you got the house
got my girls in october and can't understand why it took me so long.

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english breakfast...days work for a chicken
lifetime comittment for a pig

She can eat the eggs...just not the bird Snadger!

And...go for it...you'll learn. Everyone starts somewhere...you've got a wonderful resource in us!

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I love to talk about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about!!

Our Blog - http://chancecottage.blogspot.com/

Getting ex batts is a wonderful idea but as a first time keeper i would really recommend finding a poultry supplier (eg thornes look in practical poultry or google it for your local one) and getting 3 hybrids point of lay, fully vaccinated etc. You will get lots of advice from such a place- you could get a bluebelle, rhode cross and a sussex cross for a mix of colours. Hybrids seem to tame really quickly and will be eating out of your hand in no time! Our first experience with chickens was getting some from such a place - they give you after sales advice, supply food etc. We have only just considered getting ex batts now we have the experience required to nurse them back to full health - i was a bit daunted by the prospect before!

go for it you'll never regret it, can you arrange to meet someone eleses hens, ive had loads of people come see my girls & at least 3 now keep hens themselves they just wanted to see the reality am sure there is someone near to you already keeping them

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The love of gardening is a seed once sown never dies ...

I agree totally with Petal. For first time hen keepers do not be tempted to pick up rescue birds, get some adult hybrids from a reputable breeder who will offer after sales advice. And do not be tempted to buy more than you think you can manage - 3 is plenty for a total novice. Please also consider how you will manage them. It is not much fun for a hen to be in a pen 24/7. Try and let them out to free range (under your watchful eye if necessary) at least part of every day.

[QUOTE=Bephlam;606133]She can eat the eggs...just not the bird Snadger!

And...go for it...you'll learn. Everyone starts somewhere...you've got a wonderful resource in us! /QUOTE]

I realise that now after re-reading the thread! Go for it Ger Annie um!

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My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

We thought about rescuing ex batts, but after much reading, came to think like Richmond says. We felt we needed to experience 'normal' chicken health and behaviour before taking on 'special needs' hens. But I gather that yours will be pre-batt. If they are very young you'll need chick crumb to feed them and keep them very warm, then move them on to growers then layers pellets. I got mine as point-of-lay too. We only had 2 weeks to wait for eggs! They were eating out of our hands from the off. The grandchildren love them. We are complete converts, as you will be too!

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Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 14th - Peas - I like peas!

www.henheaven.blogspot.com - Updated February 27th - Rooftops and Caulis

Ooops!

I started fifteen months ago with 8 ex-Batts. Never even held a live Chook before that, and I was scared of them!


I now have 41, and the most handsome Cockerel arrives next week!

Go for it - you won't regret it!

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It was just a guideline ...............

LOL Yup, I know. In at the deep end and all that! Easy to see why I chose my Vine name now innit?!

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I'd definately go for it. I did! It's one of the best things I've ever done.

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Bernie aka DDL

Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

I have been through the ups and downs of ex-batts although mine had been well "rescued" before I got them so didn't have to go through the bald no-feather phase and would thoroughly recommend them if you can find a similar source to mine. I have been through two batches of 4 over the last 5 years losing them to fox and old age and whilst I am currently without (last died last weekend) I am already looking forward to my next batch.

You can even train them to come to call (with the help of bread and / or mealworms)

Cannot recommend it highly enough! Don't forget the slug population will be decimated!!

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The cats' valet.

what can I say ................ thank you all so much. Yes it's the eggs I can eat - major problems with eating the chooks, but I can learn, I hope! The chicks would be pre-batt although I had no idea that there were such a thing as hens that didn't make the battery grade. I have an idea that maybe that could work in a chicks favour.We are thinking of starting with 6 hens and they will have quite an area to roam in - approx 10 metres by 5 metres, is this enough. When we are around they will be let out to roam around a bit more. i am going to need advice on, feeding, mites, water - oh lord, just about everything, it's a bit like being a new mum just no health visitor to give you lowdown!!!!

and.....................it's a shame you are all so far away I would be really tempted to turn up and see how the experts do it. I was once told the definition of an expert was the person in the room who knew the most about the topic under discussion. That's you guys!

Sounds big enough to me, 50 sq m is err.. around 8sq m each, think its been said on here that penned hens ideally need at least 2 sq m each (someone now should drop in and correct me if thats wrong) esp. as they'll be let out too.
Consisder us all as a collective health visitor
And I started with 3..and now have over 40, none of which would have been possible without the experts on here (thanks guys)

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Anyone who says nothing is impossible has never tried slamming a revolving door

PS you have to pay for advice the normal currency is LOTS OF PICIS

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Anyone who says nothing is impossible has never tried slamming a revolving door

To Chook or not to Chook - what a silly question

Chook of course.

You have the house, you have the run. Get some strong healthy birds, pop them in the house with food and water, and learn the rest on the job.

Tis that simple - honest

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Save the earth - it's the only planet with chocolate

you should go for it,with all the experts on this site,i have found that no matter what your problem is,there is always someone who knows the answer.you will not regret it,i trained mine to follow the corn tin,so i can now lead them where i want them to forage(like a pied piper) and it always makes me laugh to see their silly run as they try to be first to eat from my hand,i wouldnt be without them now,you will never get better eggs..good luck.