Stewart Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Hi everyone, I've been driving my wife mad about getting chickens the last few weeks. Well this morning she phoned on her way to work and said even Radio One is talking about eglu's. So in a fit of chicken overload, she gave me the green light, and I've just ordered my eglu and chickens. I was going to hang on and get a Cube, but decided to go for the eglu. Alson ordered chickens from Omlet (2 Miss Pepperpots, and a Gingernut Ranger). There are some good threads here regarding other essentaials required. So I've also ordered Garlic, Chicken Spice, Diatomaceous Earth, Mite Powder, and some Organic Feed. Just need to find some Flubenvet. Anyway deliver isn't for a few weeks yet but we're all excited and thinking of names already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Congratulations! You'll love keeping chickens it's so rewarding and fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 don't forget your bedding/run material, we use aubiose. Look up an animal/agricultural feed merchant near you and you should be able to get your aubiose and flubenvet there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Congratulations Welcome to the world of chickens They are lovely creatures, but very addictive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farrowy Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Congratulations Stewart!! It's so exciting waiting for the chooks to arrive And when you find your first egg - it's the best ! I was suprised by how much personality my girls showed - they really are quirky!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Thanks for your comments. I've wanted to get chickens for a long time, but my wife wasn't keen on the idea. She didn't want the smell or mess, but now she's come round to the idea. The kids are also excited as we've never had any pets of our own. I originally wanted a pig as we have enough room and a sty, but this was out of the question, so chickens are a fair compromise. Must admit that this site has been really helpful, very informative, and general sense enthusiasm about all aspects of chickens. The funky eglus gives keeping chickens a different outlook. Aubiose has been hadded to the list, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 My ten year old wanted a pig too.... never knew where she got the idea from Anyway we managed to compromise and she got rats and a kitten instead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Well done Stewart....strike while the iron is hot! Welcome to the forum and congratulations on making the right decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Hi Stewart This forum is great for help and advice. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Nice to see someone else near me. Bet you can't wait for your girls to arrive. It will be great because you will have all of the spring and summer months with them. Its gets really addictive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Well done on ordering your eglu and chickens, you won't regret it! I had to talk my husband round to the idea, but he likes the chickens just as much as me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 he likes the chickens just as much as me! I'm sure he loves you more! Just teasing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Before you rush and buy flubenvet or whatever the worming stuff's called I remember reading on here that the diatomaceous earth powder acts as a wormer if added to the feed... best to check and I think it's a preventative whereas the flubenvet is a treatment I think but I would think if you add that to the feed from the start it should stop them getting worms and you wont need the other stuff. Maybe totally wrong, I'm sure someone with more knowledge can confirm or correct me on this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Great news Stewart! How about enrolling on one of our chicken keeping courses? I have places on mine on 20th April and i;m not too far from you. Go to the Omlet homepage and click on courses. I will also be running advanced courses from March. You're right about the diatom arowland - it's more of a preventative - I still use a vet prescribed wormer 3-4 times a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 ~Congratulations on your decision. I'm glad she caved in. I can't believe how many new people are joining the forum at the moment thanks to all the media attention Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 We find chickens easier to look after than rabbits & guinea pigs!!!! They don't smell, if you change their bedding & chuck any mess out of the poo tray regularly. The mite powder smells good too, it's like talc for chickens!!! If you have a paper shredder, the shreds are handy to use in the nesting box. I would keep your eyes peeled for a clear cheap shower curtain to peg over the run - whilst the weather is so unpredictable at the moment. We put a childs gazebo over ours in the summer, but it's too windy to have up at the moment. Maintenence of the eglu is so easy - half an hour to take apart, wash thoroughly ~& put back together all shiny & new again. I would invest or make a spare pair of roosting bars - so handy! Tub trugs are good for carrying about your aubiose / straw - ~7 for scrubbing roosting bars in....or use a jetwash! Tins of sweetcorn!!! I get mine from Lidl, as they have handy ring pull tops - easier for my chicken sitter. a small rake, for raking over the aubiose in the run a cat litter tray & some play sand / dusty soil for a dustbath. The above are only suggestions! 2 miss pepperpots - you will be so entertained. I love Blanche my pepperpot - she is cheeky, but so loveable & friendly. She loves a cuddle & neck tickle. I also love Audrey my gingernut - she talks to you & makes a trumpeting noise & follows me everywhere. They like to sneak in the house. I also have some other chickens, but they are not as daft & soppy as the Omlet ones. You've made a good choice...Congratulations! A year on, you will be wanting more chooks!!!! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 You'll also wonder what on earth you ever did with your spare time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bantam of the Opera Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 yay! congratulations, chickens are the best pets ive ever had in my opinions. fun towatch and very rewarding. i only got my first 2 because i rescued them and now look. they are very addictive indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Well Done Stewart, you wont regret it. I bet in 2 months time your wife will be cuddling and loving them as much as you will!! You sound like me, I really love pigs and would love some. but I had to stick with chickens until we get some land (you never know -one day ) Enjoy your chooks and we'd love some photos when they come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicki9 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 well done you won't regret it, although you may want to upgrade to a cube sooner than you think (we were 3 months ). Welcome and can't wait to see the chucks - did you have a delivery date? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Congratulations and welcome to the forum . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Congratulations on the eglu and chickens decision Stewart, I don't "do" pets either. And I've found chicken keeping so easy and fantastically entertaining. I really don't know why more people don't do it!!! Welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Welcome to the forum, Stewart! I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Chicken-keeping is such fun, and they make great pets for kids. Do post some pics when they arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Hello Stewart and welcome to the forum! Great news about your chickens! Any questions, have a look at the FAQs section or ask here! There is always someone around to give a helping hand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted January 26, 2008 Author Share Posted January 26, 2008 Thanks everyone for your comments. I'll keep an eye on this forum for tips and advise. When the girls arrive I'll up load some pictures and let you know how we're getting on. Thanks again. Stew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...