I have hens!! Can anyone recommend a good book?

[CarolineW]

I'm so excited that, after a year of thinking about it, planning and building, we finally bought 3 hens yesterday. I know the general basics of day to day hen care (I grew up on a smallholding, and my Mum breeds hens - in Australia, not here), and I know how to spot a bird who's ill or unhappy. But I realised today that I don't actually know what to do about it I just know the really basic stuff - and not all of that! (eg I know that they love a mash, but not how to make one. Also to give them potato peelings, but don't know whether they should be cooked or raw, etc).

This morning one of the chooks was not a happy camper. Her eyes were a bit dull, feathers fluffed up, staying still in a corner of the run, with very loose stools. She'd perked up a bit by this afternoon, so I'm hoping she just had a bit of an upset tum or something after the journey yesterday. But it really made me realise that, although I'm prepared for red mite, lice et al, I don't know what to do if one of my girls gets ill

I've found plenty on the internet about housing, litter, hygiene and feed requirements, but not illnesses (or how to make mash ) So I think I need to get a book. Can anyone recommend a good book?

Thanks!

[Two_Sheds]

Not a personal recommendation (I don't have hens) but this is a start: Backyard Poultry Keeping: J.C.Jeremy Hobson: Books

[Suechooks]

I've got Starting with Chickens by Katie Thear. It's very sensible and down to earth tells you about off colour chooks and some remedies. I wouldn't be without it. To make a mash just get some layers meal and add warm water until its crumbly - not too wet. My girls tend to leave it if its too sloppy but clear the dish when it's just right. Your poorly hen may have eaten something she's not used to. If they've only been fed chicken food then even grass or vegetables can cause the runs. I'd be tempted to let the person you got them from know, as it may be something she's had before you got her, in which case they may have others with it and could be infectious.
Potatoes need to be cooked but most other things are ok raw. Take it steadily when giving new foods - just 1 at a time and make sure it doesn't upset them. Have fun - that first egg is like no other!!! Good luck with your hens

[MaureenHall]

I'd recommend the Katie Thear book too. Also, regarding chicken illnesses etc, have a look at the Omlet website Omlet UK | Guide | Chickens | Chicken Health and Practical Poultry Practical Poultry Magazine Forum - Index there might be a bit of help on there, otherwise this forum is great for quick help, there's usually someone around to answer questions Even if you think they're daft questions, they're not! If something doesn't just seem quite right, or you have a little niggle, then come here and chat about it. Best of luck with your girls - you do realise you'll not get any work done for the next few weeks/months/years don't you?

[bluemoon]

Not one to get, but definitely one to avoid is 'Living with Chickens by Jay Rossier. It's very......erm......American, so much of the information is useless here (their way of buying hens is to get day old chicks via post, for example, and they don't buy point of lay as we do) and it assumes that you'll be doing it to turn a small profit, rather than for eggs for the family as most of us do. I don't know why when there are lots of good, British written books around, but it seems to be the only one that the local bookshops sell.

[Glutton4...]

Hi, and good luck with your chooks.

I've had my eight ex-batts for three weeks, and haven't done a proper day's anything since - they're just fascinating. I read loads of magazine and forum articles before I got mine, but like you, it's only now sinking in how little I actually do know.

A book I was recommended by the lady at the feed merchant (who's Husband won't let her use the Vet for her chickens!) is Practical Poultry's 'Avoiding the Vet.' I haven't bought it yet, due to lack of funds, but it's top of my Christmas list.

Have fun and enjoy wasting hours of your time. Oh, and getting your wellies pecked!

[Nicos]

Just ordered the Katie Thear book! Ta

[chicken slave]

Congrats on your chooks!!!

I have the Katie Thear book as well, I also bought a book called 'keeping pet chickens' by Johannes Paul and William Windham. This one is more simplistic in style (great for the younger members of the family) it has good hints and tips and is colourfully illustrated showing you what is meant by different terms. I like you grew up on a smallholding so knew the basics but most of our large brood were raised in the city so had never had the chance to have animals so reference was vital for them (and it did refresh my memory in parts).

Enjoy and a small piece of advise is get a seating area near them so you can watch there silly antics as it hurts the back standing for hours just mesmorised

[CarolineW]

Thanks, everyone! Both advice and encouragement much appreciated

I did phone the farm to let them know, as suggested. They've asked me to call back again if she doesn't improve. But she's looking a bit better today, so I'm hoping that by tomorrow she'll be fit.

I'm off to place my Amazon order now ... and adding building a seat to my husband's list of To Do's

[frias]

I went to the library and got 4 books on chickens, when I had read those I went and got another 4. Still find it better and quicker to get advice on here though.

[CarolineW]

Everything has gone well with my 3 ladies - I really enjoy them. One of them faithfully lays me an egg every day - the other 2 have yet to catch on.

My husband went to get some rescue hens yesterday. I thought we were going to go up to 10 birds. Somehow, we now have 27!!!!

I'm not entirely sure how that happened, but I'm assured that they won't all be staying - some are being held for friends while they organise themselves for coops. Hope they get organised fast! I love the hens, but 27? I won't have any lawn left, and it's really a bit crowded for them there in the coop, even though the eglu has been called back into action from its neglected corner of the garden. And they're loud. Not like our quiet, well behaved ladies. I suspect we may be hearing from our neighbours soon Although we have a big garden, it's hard to we are surrounded by neighbours on every side, including the back, and most of our neighbours are flats - so lots and lots of neighbours!

Noisy they may be, but they've already presented me with some eggs, bless them, despite their journey.

At least this time around I'm well read

[MaureenHall]

OOOOOOps sounds a bit like the sort of "mistake" I'd make as well They will quieten down though, and if the neighbours do complain, tell them they only make a noise to let you know when they've laid an egg and would they like a couple for their breakfast

[Suechooks]

Well done! but 27?!!!!!!! Love it!

[Glutton4...]

Well done you!

27 can't have that - I'll have to get some more now lol

[CarolineW]

He he he. Well, you all added a smile to my day! And you were absolutely right, Maureen, they are a lot quieter now. Phew! I'm collecting eggs left, right and centre.

One is decidedly unhappy, and isn't really being given a chance to get better by the others, who relentlessly follow her around, wherever she tries to hide, and peck her brutally. The whole aviary is starting to have little blood spatters over it It's awful. I think I'm going to ask my husband to put her out of her misery tonight, as I can't think of anything else to do. I don't have anywhere else to put her, and even if I did, and she recovered, I couldn't reintroduce a single chicken I think it's the kindest thing we can do for her, under the circumstances, but I hate it.