4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[quickcluck]

Hi Everyone...

 

I am a total beginner at this and am about to order my first eglu and 2 chicks, one of each.... thought about rescuing but think I need healthy ones to begin with.....

 

I am worried about the broody thing... have been reading about many peeps having problems. Is this a normal thing? Does every hen get broody? should I get a dog cage before I start???

 

Any advice about anything greatly recieved

 

[Hen Watch]

Rescue chickens are very worthwhile. I would love some but don't have the room for them.

 

Omlet chickens are a good option too. I went for Omlet chickens + eglu. They've not been broody, laid consistently and are very friendly and good with children.

 

Depending on your garden space etc, you might want to consider getting 3 chickens. They love company and if 1 died it would leave the other alone. But this is up to you really.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum, Quickcluk . Congratulations on the eglu and hens . I would echo the suggestion to get 3. I nearly got 2 but after reading advice on here got 3. I did get a converter to give them a bit more room.

 

Re broodiness, don't worry about it. I've had mine 9 months and have only now had a bit of broodiness - and only from one hen - which isn't getting too serious. You can always pick up a dog cage at a later date if you need one (I've just ordered one from Ebay for less than £20).

 

It's very easy to panic and worry that your hens will suffer from every complaint and ailment but in reality, it doesn't happen to the majority of henkeepers.

[Nuggywoo]

Hi

 

Not all hens are broody - in a nutshell it basically depends on the breed. I have Andalusians and they're not broody at all!! I don't know about hybrids but a friend of mine has about 9 and only one of them is ever broody and even that only lasts for a couple of days.

 

It would be better if you got 3 hens (to start with...) as they seem happier in a threesome (if you see what I mean )

 

Go for ex-batts - they need you. If you're worried about anything you can get all the advice you need from this forum

Edited June 2, 2008 by Guest

[cluckbok]

Hi ya and welcome to the forum.

 

I agree with Hen watch. I think 3 hens are best too, we have 3 hens and at the moment only 2 are laying so we glad we got the 3. None of ours have been broody as yet, and they are reliable layers apart from the one not laying!!

[*mummy_hen*]

I'm a beginner chicken mummy and have got 5 ex-batts - they are just fabulous! Collected them 10 days ago and now couldn't be without them.

 

Obviously you have to go with what feels right for you but just thought i would put in my view

[Egluntyne]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

I think you are sensible to go for healthy hens first time round. Many ex-batts have problems and aren't always suitable for the novice hen keeper. On the other hand, most are absolutely fine and thrive.

 

You can think about offering a home to ex-batts when you are more experienced and have gained a little confidence.

 

Congratulations on ordering your Eglu and chickens. ( I agree with the others...three is a better number).

 

Broodiness doesn't always happen so no need to worry just yet. I wouldn't go to the expense of getting a dog crate until you actually need it.

[Omletina Kyckling]

Hi and welcome!

 

I'm with the others here, three is best, and the Omlet girls are great for a beginner. I started with three gingernuts and an Eglu in September and have just upgraded to a Cube and bought three more hybrids.

 

Welcome to the world of chickens, it's great!

 

Diane

[Abbey Road Girl]

A very hearty welcome to you, quickcluk.

 

Yes, two is not the best number of chickens to get, not just because if you are left with one you will have to introduce another, but because two are a pair, not a flock, and if you want to get more ( ), it will be more difficult.

 

I decided to be on the safe side (if there is such a thing in this world ) and go for four. Since you are getting an Eglu instead of a Cube this may not work for you.

 

But best wishes to you. You will find support and advice here!

[beach chick]

I have to say here that as total beginners we went for 4 in an eglu and basic run. very soon realised it wasnt enough space, invested in omlet netting, and a few weeks into that, after a lot of escapees just gave up and let them free range. they loved it!!

4 in an eglu is fine, as long as you can give them space, and I would agree with everyone who says 'more than 2'.

on the downside, we have just lost 2 of the original 4 (one to a visiting dog and one to a fox) - but I still let the remainder freerange, and we now have 4 new babies and a new eglu arriving on weds. so be careful, these chooks are addictive!!!!!

[Jules.]

Get 3!

I have never had a broody yet.

[hennymom]

ditto to the other's advice we had 6 from day one and they are much happier in groups, we were a bit cautious about battery hens too, I felt I could not cope with them as a new mommy , so we got 6 hybrids and had o problems with any of them to do with broodiness, go for what you want 3 or more and you'll never look back.....beware they are addictive, I already am planning some more....lol good luck!

[chickenanne]

Don't worry about broodiness - I've one that is often broody, but it's not like they explode or anything!!!! It's easy enough to deal with.

There are loads of potential issues and diseases with ANY pet, but most people will never have to experience it happening. The problem with forums is that most people post for advice etc, so it always gives the impression there are tons of pitfalls. So long as you look after them properly and start with birds that are not genetically rubbish then you should be fine!

[quickcluck]

Hi Everyone!!!

 

Thanks for allyour help and advice, it really has helped settle my mind... I am now booking into a 'Hen party' this month as I've found one very near me.. this I feel will answer any other questions! So wish me luck!!!

 

By the way. Have also settled on 3 now with an extention to the run for more room as they wont be able to free range too much..... will keep you posted...

 

please keep the info coming though, as you can never have too much help!

[WitchHazel]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

 

Like you, I decided to start with non-ex-batts first, and it was the right decision for me. I still plan to get ex batts, but later.

 

Generally speaking, hybrid hens are generally less likely to go broody than pure breeds. With the pure breeds, some breeds are more prone to it than others.

 

If you're at all nervous, then start with three hybrids and see how you get on. I bet cashy money that within a year you'll be looking to buy a Cibe as you want to get more girls.

[chickenanne]

I would recommend pure-breeds, as although some types they do tend more toward broodiness (e.g Sussex) this isn't the case with all pure breeds. I've a Sussex, a Rhode Island Red, and 2 hybrids, and honestly the pure breeds are loads friendlier - not a scientific sample though!

You can get some good utility strains of pure breeds which will be at least as hardy as hybrids, and although you're likely to find that pure breeds are not as productive as the best hybrids will be, you'll still get sick of eating eggs!

But really, the market for pure breeds is restircted to hobby keepers and a relatively small number of people who want to show them; ultimately unless the demand for them is maintained (hobby keepers) there will be very little breeding of good quality pure bred chickens; I think it would be a real shame if we were to lose this heritage.