New keeper

[Crundy]

I will soon be the proud owner of a couple of chooks, so expect to see me in here asking tons of questions!

We decided to go with an Eglu in the end, because although they are very expensive the ease of cleaning was appealing!

Anyone got any starter tips which they wish someone had told them before they got their chickens?

[bluemoon]

Just be prepared to get RSI from all the mouse clicking you'll be doing asking questions on here! Believe me there are questions you've never even thought of! Good Luck and hope your new chooks give you as much pleasure as mine give me.

[Flummery]

No one ever told me how different they are - even 4 hybrids that at first sight seemed identical. We've only ahd ours just over a fortnight but they are instantly recognisable - some from half way down the garden!

I can't think of any draw-backs. I'm in love!

[Crundy]

Heh, I don't mind. I like it here. A whole wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.

I'm trying to find good places for the feed in Stafford at the moment. I note that one of the farm shops I frequent sell feed. I might nip there this lunchtime to check it out and buy some veg for the week.

Also, do you need to give them oyster shell, and if so how much and how?

[Hans Mum]

my only comment would be to get 3 and then if one does go the the henhouse in the sky you dont have an only chook...they dont like being alone.
The only thing i wish i'd known before was how addictive they are, in between the girls, the lottie and work there isnt much time for anything else

[Crundy]

my only comment would be to get 3 and then if one does go the the henhouse in the sky you dont have an only chook...they dont like being alone.

Hmm, didn't think of that. The one problem is that I don't want to be keeping more than 2 chickens in an Eglu. I'm sure it's fine but I'd feel bad because the run isn't enormous and I'd probably keep them in the run while we're at work (in case of foxes).

[Flummery]

Oyster shell helps them produce their egg shells - it's the calcium they need. It's recommended that you offer it ad lib- put a dish out and top it up whenever needed. Also you can wash and bake (to sterilise them) egg shells, crush them and add that to feed. Their own produced calcium is supposed to be easier to absorb. I also scatter some stone grit and oyster grit each evening with a bit of mixed corn. Gets wolfed down!

[Crundy]

OK, so you keep the oyster shell separate from the food?

Also, I was tempted to give them a little bit of tinned sweetcorn as a treat every now and then. Is that alright or bad for them?

[Bephlam]

I'd definitely get three...two isn't a good number if one toddled off to the chicken run in the sky!! I'm sure there are people who keep three in an eglu...depends on the breed right enough...you couldn't fit half of one of my girls in an eglu!

Sweetcorn is fine...there are lots of treats you can give them. They'll eat pretty much anything...but the important thing is to feed treats late afternoon, to ensure they've had their complete meal during the day.

You'll get on fine...remember....pics when you get them!!

[Flummery]

I keep oyster separate from their pellets but I give it with the bit of mixed corn in the evening so they can scratch for it. Not too much corn though - it's fattening and a fat hen doesn't lay wel!

[Bephlam]

I have a little clip dish of grit in the run at all times - they peck at it when they feel like it. Seems to work for me...the egg shell quality from my girls is impressive!

[Crundy]

I'd definitely get three...two isn't a good number if one toddled off to the chicken run in the sky!! I'm sure there are people who keep three in an eglu...depends on the breed right enough...you couldn't fit half of one of my girls in an eglu!

Ah OK. What kind of size would be OK for three to be in an Eglu (except Bantums)? The kind we were looking at seemed a normal size, nothing too big. The same farm had some absolutely huge chickens, but said they were show chickens rather than layers.

Sweetcorn is fine...there are lots of treats you can give them. They'll eat pretty much anything...but the important thing is to feed treats late afternoon, to ensure they've had their complete meal during the day.

OK, I did see that somewhere else about feeding late afternoon, so I guess they'll get the treats when we get home from work

You'll get on fine...remember....pics when you get them!!

Oh definitely! I'm really excited about keeping some hens. I've been wanting to do it for ages.

I keep oyster separate from their pellets but I give it with the bit of mixed corn in the evening so they can scratch for it. Not too much corn though - it's fattening and a fat hen doesn't lay wel!

Check. Not too much corn. As we were discussing in the other thread, is it OK to scrub and boil a few oyster shells and just leave them in the run for them then, or would they not get enough calcium from that?

I have a little clip dish of grit in the run at all times - they peck at it when they feel like it. Seems to work for me...the egg shell quality from my girls is impressive!

If you have pellet food do you still need grit in the pen for them? If so then do you need to leave a lot or can you scatter some around the run / garden?

See, look what you've all made me do! I think this is one of my longest forum posts ever!!

[Bephlam]

OMG...You're on a role here!!

Truth is, I can't advise you on eglu sizes etc as I don't have one...and have never seen one in the flesh. So, all I can tell you is three faverolles or three orptingtons won't be an option for the eglu (small one). I'm sure someone with normal sized chickens will be along soon to advise! The size depends on what you want...some people like keeping bantam versions of breeds...others like the big heavy girls (like me!). You need to decide if you want a bird for it's egg laying potential...or a bird that is more of a pet, with the added bonus of getting eggs. I like to be able to pick my girls up and stuff, so I pick big heavy docile breeds...other people like the lighter, flightier girls. It's all personal preference! Get googling breeds!!

The truth of the matter is...if you're feeding a complete layers pellet you shouldn't need to add any additional suppliments to the feed, as it's a complete food. But...what you add, and when is really up to you. I don't use tons of stuff....but others do! I use poultry spice (essential bit of kit), ACV and grit. I leave a small pot in the run all the time, but you don't NEED to...the girls peck away at it when they want, but they get lots of grit naturally in their daily scraping about. So, again...it's not absolutely essential.

You'll find out what works best for your lifestyle and your girls. At the end of the day...they're supposed to be a pleasurable experience...so don't stress yourself out with worry. It'll all fall in to place.

Bet you can't wait for them to arrive now!!

[Crundy]

Truth is, I can't advise you on eglu sizes etc as I don't have one...and have never seen one in the flesh. So, all I can tell you is three faverolles or three orptingtons won't be an option for the eglu (small one). I'm sure someone with normal sized chickens will be along soon to advise! The size depends on what you want...some people like keeping bantam versions of breeds...others like the big heavy girls (like me!). You need to decide if you want a bird for it's egg laying potential...or a bird that is more of a pet, with the added bonus of getting eggs. I like to be able to pick my girls up and stuff, so I pick big heavy docile breeds...other people like the lighter, flightier girls. It's all personal preference! Get googling breeds!!

I know that the breed(s) we were looking at were a lot smaller than faverolles, so we might be able to keep three of them. I know the nesting box of the Eglu is sufficient for three birds, it was the run I was worried about. I believe the run is about 3'x7', would that be sufficient? (Remember, they will only be kept in the run from morning until 5pm weekdays).

The truth of the matter is...if you're feeding a complete layers pellet you shouldn't need to add any additional suppliments to the feed, as it's a complete food. But...what you add, and when is really up to you. I don't use tons of stuff....but others do! I use poultry spice (essential bit of kit), ACV and grit. I leave a small pot in the run all the time, but you don't NEED to...the girls peck away at it when they want, but they get lots of grit naturally in their daily scraping about. So, again...it's not absolutely essential.

OK. What's poultry spice?

You'll find out what works best for your lifestyle and your girls. At the end of the day...they're supposed to be a pleasurable experience...so don't stress yourself out with worry. It'll all fall in to place.

I know, I just want to be a good parent
Plus, one of my cats is an unstoppable killing machine, and so although I know he won't actually kill the chickens, I do think he'll do a good job of stirring them up. Will have to buy a powerful water pistol.

Bet you can't wait for them to arrive now!!

Truedat!

[Squizz]

I also have a killing machine, he tried to stalk the girls but one of mine made such a noise he didn't try again!