Durleyfos Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Does anyone here keep chickens? Are they easy to look after? Costly? My missus wants to keep chickens and I'm coming round to the idea of fresh eggs for breakfast most mornings. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 I have a co ck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durleyfos Posted 11 February, 2011 Author Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Deppo, 'having' and 'being' are two different things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 They are easy to keep, we have a few. The things to bear in mind are that you need a secure foxproof coop for overnight, and they will probably get chicken mites in hot weather. That is a nightmare if you handle them and get the mites on yourself. Its worthwhile tho and simple to do, get simething like warrens or rhode islands for eggs, and orpingtons for the cute factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Jonny Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 My familiy has kept chickens since I was a little'un. As far as i know the only time they are of any bother is when a fox gets in, when the bastards get red-mite, or you try to introduce a couple of new chickerys to the gang (they don't take well to new comers). You don't have to give them too much attention, because they are just birds and as such look after themselves to a large extent. You'll need something secure to put them in at night, easy enough if your a bit handy. If not i've seen people use these... Its called an eggloo, they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, get googling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 I don't think they lay eggs all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Jonny Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 I don't think they lay eggs all the time. Your looking at 1 a day from a hen under 1 year old, after that it varies, never less than 2/3 a week though, unless it gets ill in which case you get **** all. The old dears like to tell people they havn't bought eggs from the supermarket for about 12 years. Why do I know so much about chickens? God I need to get a life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 ^what johnny said, plus a sack of layers pellets and a sack of mixed corn will cost about a fiver each at woodington feeds. They also do a bale of compressed sawdust for bedding for six quid, that lot will do for about 4 months if you have half a dozen beaks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Get Pekin bantams, the eggs are smaller but the chickens are cleaner and you can handle them. Very tame and pretty birds. P.S. do not get a Eggloo they are too small, get a Forsham Ark, google it. I have kept Pekins for 6 years now and they are great fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-scooby Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 They will eat most food scraps inc meat etc, but not chicken, they like to roost at night so something that is above the ground is best. Mixed poultry corn and layers pellets for their daily food, they like to scratch around so will need moving about, some crushed Oyster shells now and then. Mr Fox is getting quite popular in the towns now, also eastern europeans mirgrant workers have been known for taking Chickens. so a safe over night coup is best. I guess if you have 6 birds you should have plenty of eggs, sell the extra ones to pay for their food. I used to keep geese, and chickens, the geese will ****** anybody off in half a mile radius, any they lay less eggs. If you get hungry dont think a three year old chicken will look nice on the table, it will be tough as Chuck Norris.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Get Pekin bantams, the eggs are smaller but the chickens are cleaner and you can handle them. Very tame and pretty birds. P.S. do not get a Eggloo they are too small, get a Forsham Ark, google it. I have kept Pekins for 6 years now and they are great fun. I'd go for bantams. My old man used to get bantams eggs when I was a kid and you don't see them so much anymore. Quail is another option, but their eggs are really small - too small imo, but they are popular with the country set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesaint sfc Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 That picture made me laugh, lots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Get Pekin bantams, the eggs are smaller but the chickens are cleaner and you can handle them. Very tame and pretty birds. P.S. do not get a Eggloo they are too small, get a Forsham Ark, google it. I have kept Pekins for 6 years now and they are great fun. Agree with that, Pekins are great and very friendly, (we had 5 of them til they croaked,) except if Durley wants them for the eggs they really are a bit too tiny to be of much use? Orpingtons are massive and a similar temperament, and the eggs are a lot more useful. And also agree about the eglu, but its easy to knock up a pen yourself and surround it with paving slabs or dig the wire a foot below ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durleyfos Posted 11 February, 2011 Author Share Posted 11 February, 2011 That picture made me laugh, lots. It did me as well. I have no idea why, it just did. Thanks guys for the info, quite looking forward to getting them now! When would be the best time to get them? Beginning of Spring, when it warms up a bit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 It did me as well. I have no idea why, it just did. Thanks guys for the info, quite looking forward to getting them now! When would be the best time to get them? Beginning of Spring, when it warms up a bit? Doesnt really matter, but spring is probably good because if youre going to make up a pen yourself as that would be easier in dry weather. Also they tend to lay more in the summer than the cold weather so you'll be maximising your first years egg yield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 I have kept Pekins for 6 years now and they are great fun. Pervert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Pervert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Pervert. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd1KfrlI0mU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint in Paradise Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Our neighbour has 2 free range chickens, they are allowed to go where they want. Result is that they come into our garden and eat the food we put down for our cats. The cats move away for them and just watch as their food disappears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Our neighbour has 2 free range chickens, they are allowed to go where they want. Result is that they come into our garden and eat the food we put down for our cats. The cats move away for them and just watch as their food disappears. ....and they call themselves cats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 What are the costs of bantams, orpingtons and eggloos? And where is the cheapest place to get them round Southampton? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 What are the costs of bantams, orpingtons and eggloos? And where is the cheapest place to get them round Southampton? Maybe Salisbury cattle market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Our neighbour has 2 free range chickens, they are allowed to go where they want. Result is that they come into our garden and eat the food we put down for our cats. The cats move away for them and just watch as their food disappears. Air rifles don't make much noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Maybe Salisbury cattle market. You can also buy boxes of fertilised eggs there at about £2-3 per half dozen at auction. If you know anyone with an incubator you can borrow, hatch them youself. It's good fun and if you've got young kids they will love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 DON'T count them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilsburydoughboy Posted 11 February, 2011 Share Posted 11 February, 2011 Be prepared for RATS.You cannot avoid them when keeping chickens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 12 February, 2011 Share Posted 12 February, 2011 If you get hungry dont think a three year old chicken will look nice on the table, it will be tough as Chuck Norris.. Great stock, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 12 February, 2011 Share Posted 12 February, 2011 How much for an hour with someone's chickens? I'm discrete and clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atticus Finch of Maycomb Posted 12 February, 2011 Share Posted 12 February, 2011 I have seven chickens. I had eight but killed one of them today. They are really excellent pets. They are very easy to care for, and cheap. I use an old coal-bunker to keep them in, with individual nesting boxes inside made of wood. I fill the nesting boxes with shredded paper from work which i clean out and compost every week. I have seven hens of differen breeds. During the day they roam around the garden and put themselves to sleep every night when it gets dark. They drink water and will eat almost anything (including cat poo!). I give them leftovers from dinner, and corn which I can buy for 7 quid a sack and lasts about a month. Honestly, really easy and lovely pets to keep. They dont need much to keep them happy, just each other. Very cheap to keep. They DO attract rats, as an above poster said. I suggest a metal or stone home for them that the rats cant chew through. I have 1 cat as well and he is much more work than all the chickens combined. They dont lay in cold weather, and they dont lay every day in summer. Obviously, the more chickens you have the more likely you'll have a fresh supply of eggs. During the summer they lay on average every 2-3 days. The eggs are the best I have ever tasted. I live in a built up area of stoke and they dont create much noise. The one I killed today was a cockeral who was way too noisy, so I gave him to the butchers. It was unfortunate but I think you have to be realistic and not too sentimental when keeping pets like chickens. You need to make sure the chickens can't escape and foxes can't get in. Chickens arent very smart and they will wander off and not find their way back. They also wreck the grass, ust so you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wokingsaints Posted 12 February, 2011 Share Posted 12 February, 2011 we had a couple of chickens and kept them for a couple of years. bought them at point of lay and we had approx 6 eggs per chicken per week, and they were the best eggs i have ever eaten. they are easy to keep, but as posted before, they will wreck your garden big style! they eat all the slugs, bugs etc in the garden, but will also eat all the greenery too! Kitchen scraps though were their favourite food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 12 February, 2011 Share Posted 12 February, 2011 I have seven chickens. I had eight but killed one of them today. I always had you down as a gentle lover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonManager Posted 12 February, 2011 Share Posted 12 February, 2011 Coooommeee onnnnn yoooooooooooooooooo chickkkkennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 12 February, 2011 Share Posted 12 February, 2011 Just so long you remember to buy a monkey to go with it it'll be fine. I look forward to visiting your petting zoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 29 June, 2011 Share Posted 29 June, 2011 Be prepared for RATS.You cannot avoid them when keeping chickens Very true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 29 June, 2011 Share Posted 29 June, 2011 Got 10 Sussex Lights. Why 10 I have no idea as it was the Mrs who decided. They are relatively young and first started laying on Easter. I am now averaging 65-70 eggs a week!! No rats yet. Maybe they don't like the terrier. One less fox than there used to be. Easy to look after, with the only hassle being that if you want to keep them alive, you should shut them up at night. And they produce a lot of ****. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atticus Finch of Maycomb Posted 8 August, 2011 Share Posted 8 August, 2011 All 12 of my chickens were killed by a fox last night. All 12. Including 6 babies. Make sure you lock your chickens up at night. I didn't last night for the first time in ages and lost all 12. 12. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 8 August, 2011 Share Posted 8 August, 2011 All 12 of my chickens were killed by a fox last night. All 12. Including 6 babies. Make sure you lock your chickens up at night. I didn't last night for the first time in ages and lost all 12. 12. That is so aweful, you must be heartbroken? Do you want to sell me your chicken house/coop/ark/run ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 8 August, 2011 Share Posted 8 August, 2011 All 12 of my chickens were killed by a fox last night. All 12. Including 6 babies. Make sure you lock your chickens up at night. I didn't last night for the first time in ages and lost all 12. 12. Sorry to hear that. I made the same mistake about 7 years ago and lost a dozen chickens and 6 ducks. Bastard foxes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 8 August, 2011 Share Posted 8 August, 2011 Sorry to hear that. I made the same mistake about 7 years ago and lost a dozen chickens and 6 ducks. Bastard foxes... How do you know it was a fox? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 8 August, 2011 Share Posted 8 August, 2011 All 12 of my chickens were killed by a fox last night. All 12. Including 6 babies. Make sure you lock your chickens up at night. I didn't last night for the first time in ages and lost all 12. 12. How do you know it was a fox? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 8 August, 2011 Share Posted 8 August, 2011 How do you know it was a fox? Because I saw the c*nt when my dogs started barking their boll*cks off at 4 in the f*cking morning. Had to start work at 7, I think a few clients may have got a slightly substandard service that day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 8 August, 2011 Share Posted 8 August, 2011 Because I saw the c*nt when my dogs started barking their boll*cks off at 4 in the f*cking morning. Had to start work at 7, I think a few clients may have got a slightly substandard service that day It probably was the fox that ate your chickens mate.. Try getting up earlier next time, then you can shoe it away. Sent from my Foxpatrol mobile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atticus Finch of Maycomb Posted 8 August, 2011 Share Posted 8 August, 2011 Sorry to hear that. I made the same mistake about 7 years ago and lost a dozen chickens and 6 ducks. Bastard foxes... I would say that I wouldn't make that mistake again but since I lost all of them I guess I won't get the chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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