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Keeping Chickens
- Thread starter Eggmundo
- Start date
Tricky Dicky
New member
Foxes, more like. You'd have to shut them in evey night. Lovely things to hold though, really soft feathers. We kept 40 or so when I was a kid, and it was my job to shut them in every night - miss one night and the fox kills the lot of them.
turienzo's lovechild
New member
- Oct 25, 2003
- 23,964
my ex-girlfriend's parents had some, and one night they pecked a fox to DEATH!
but then a week or so later, another fox got in and massacred them all....didn't even eat any of them, just killed them all for a LARF
they were in a rural village though, no idea what the FOX situation would be in a city, but i wouldn't fancy a cats chances against a load of chickens
lovely pets though definitely
but then a week or so later, another fox got in and massacred them all....didn't even eat any of them, just killed them all for a LARF
they were in a rural village though, no idea what the FOX situation would be in a city, but i wouldn't fancy a cats chances against a load of chickens
lovely pets though definitely
we have loads. about 45-50 at the moment thanks to some children who couldn't part with the chicks and who have now grown up. we let some of them out on the yard through the day time when mrs starry is out there with the children/horses but at night or if we're away from home for a long period of time we coop them into a free range barn with a caged outside area.
they will dig up plants, scratch the grass up, etc. so unless you want to give your whole garden over to a chicken coop it's best to cage off an area for them. if they get bored they will attack each other so the needs logs to climb on or cds twinkling in the sun etc. to keep them occupied.
what do you want them for? to eat, for their eggs or pets? just hens? are you going to get them from chick or older? or rescue?
we have a whole selection of breeds some are prettier than others, some lay white eggs, some mid brown, some very dark, some are pure bred, some are cross bred and lay more eggs - our black rocks are our best layers, but the rhode island, welsumer, maruns and leghorn are all reliable.
we only eat (meat) the orpington (also the quietest and good if you are close to other houses) or light sussex because the meat from others is just not as good.
just depends what you want them for really. i don't know if you have children but the orpington and black rock are the best pets - my children can pick them up, cuddle with them and the black rock is like a dog and follows the children around all over and would come in the house if we allowed they are very tame and friendly.
they will dig up plants, scratch the grass up, etc. so unless you want to give your whole garden over to a chicken coop it's best to cage off an area for them. if they get bored they will attack each other so the needs logs to climb on or cds twinkling in the sun etc. to keep them occupied.
what do you want them for? to eat, for their eggs or pets? just hens? are you going to get them from chick or older? or rescue?
we have a whole selection of breeds some are prettier than others, some lay white eggs, some mid brown, some very dark, some are pure bred, some are cross bred and lay more eggs - our black rocks are our best layers, but the rhode island, welsumer, maruns and leghorn are all reliable.
we only eat (meat) the orpington (also the quietest and good if you are close to other houses) or light sussex because the meat from others is just not as good.
just depends what you want them for really. i don't know if you have children but the orpington and black rock are the best pets - my children can pick them up, cuddle with them and the black rock is like a dog and follows the children around all over and would come in the house if we allowed they are very tame and friendly.
Eggmundo
U & I R listening to KAOS
- Jul 8, 2003
- 3,466
- Thread starter
- #7
Eggs are the main reason. I definitely won't be eating them.
What do you feed them on? Is it specialist meal or common household scraps?
I'm going to get myself a book before taking the plunge but it's the little tried and tested 'word of mouth' tips that are invaluable with these ventures so cheers for the replies.
What do you feed them on? Is it specialist meal or common household scraps?
I'm going to get myself a book before taking the plunge but it's the little tried and tested 'word of mouth' tips that are invaluable with these ventures so cheers for the replies.
andybaha
Active member
We always have half a dozen (gives you half a dozen eggs a day). They are really very easy. Supply them with a good quality pellet feed and not too many scraps (although they really like scraps) and you will be guaranteed a good supply of eggs that taste nothing like the rubbish you buy in the shops. They are very destructive so they do need penning and you must put them away just before dusk otherwise Mr Fox will definitely kill them. We have cats and have never had any trouble with the cats attacking them.
maffew
Well-known member
My moms got about 30 and the eggs are so good!! She has the odd problem with foxes and also "travellers" nicking the cocks for fighting
Chickens are great at breaking up fights. That's all I know...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybVb3t560oY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybVb3t560oY
aftershavedave
Well-known member
agree with all of that. if you have space ducks are also great fun and the eggs are delicious. the quality of home-produced eggs is so much better than bought that it beggars belief.
we feed ours on an organic pellet food and sometimes they get kitchen scraps. you can get all sorts of different pellets special ones for laying hens, for older henbs, for strong eggs etc. but we feed all our chickens the same pellets and our eggs and chickens have been just fine. we hang a few cabbages around that they peck at.
bhaexpress
New member
We have recently got four hens. They were penned up for a week but now roam freely. We have a large dog who was initially intrigued by the chickens but she just watches them now. Two foxes came to have a look but saw the dog and made themselves scare. Dog did give chase but gave up after seeing the foxes off, they haven't returned.
The chickens are knocking out eggs now and they are also attracting interest form the local pheasants, safe in the knowledge that a large dog is watching over them.
The chickens are knocking out eggs now and they are also attracting interest form the local pheasants, safe in the knowledge that a large dog is watching over them.
We are about to home some ex-battery hens from bhwt.org. Getting them on Saturday!
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,630
Never count them before they're hatched, is my top tip.
And if one of them chickens comes up to you saying the sky's falling in....well just take it with a pinch of salt, OK?
And if one of them chickens comes up to you saying the sky's falling in....well just take it with a pinch of salt, OK?
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,630
A hen night?
Normal Rob
Well-known member
keep 4 bantams in our back garden. Bantams are only quarter size so do not destroy the garden. The eggs are about half the size of a fully grown chickens but the yolks are hardly any smaller at all (so don't get bantams if you want the whites for making meringues)
And as mentioned the quality of the eggs is vastly superior to shop bought eggs. You really have to taste them to understand how much so!
And as mentioned the quality of the eggs is vastly superior to shop bought eggs. You really have to taste them to understand how much so!
- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,630
Don't let them cross the road.
You'll be wondering why FOREVER.
You'll be wondering why FOREVER.
Easy 10
Brain dead MUG SHEEP
Never count them before they're hatched, is my top tip.
And if one of them chickens comes up to you saying the sky's falling in....well just take it with a pinch of salt, OK?
Also make sure you build a decent coop for them. If you don't, the problems will all come home to roost.