Solitary chicken - need advice

[Chooken]

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Edited November 26, 2008 by Guest

[Cooks]

good on you, I wish my children thought about saving up for something so worthy.

I think you need to sit down with your parents and ask them what they would approve and not approve, no point getting your hopes set on one thing to be let down at the last minute.

As for the extra chores for more money, why not offer to clear that unsightly piece of ground for them... you know... just to 'clear up the garden'

 

But I vote for option 2 as I think that from your post you would want more chickens in the future so go for the larger to start with.

[Chickvic]

I voted 2. I think a larger run is ideal, don't know about pricing though, still trying to work that out for me!

[Yolky]

I am sure I read you can buy a eglu without run from omlet and it is £100 cheaper.

[Cooks]

oooh good idea! I know the run itself costs £120 plus delivery so no point buying it if you opt for the walk in straight away.

 

I bought mine from an omleteer so I didn't have that option. The run sits unloved..

[Snowy]

An eglu without the Omlet run and a good, fox proof walk in run is a great idea. Try freecycle for the run components - unwanted wood and weldmesh. I built my run from free pallets where OH works and weldmesh from freecycle. The only cost was the corrugated plastic roof (about £100 for a 2m x 4m run). Also worth asking your parents if they will contribute something towards it if you get to a certain level. (in return for chores of course!)

[WitchHazel]

Second hand Rablus tend to go for a lot more than £100 on Ebay. You're proibably better off buying a new Eglu without a run, or a second hand Eglu and selling the Run.

 

Talk to your parents and see what they think about you having a walk in run first, before you set your heart on that option (although it is a better option!).

 

Edited to add: how much does your household spend on eggs? Any chance your mum could advance you a year's worth of egg money to help your fund?

[Chooken]

Closed =]

Edited November 26, 2008 by Guest

[Chooken]

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Edited November 26, 2008 by Guest

[Olly]

Sounds like you've got it all worked out! I admire you for all this forward planning ... they're qualities that will stand you in very good stead later in life. I don't know what subjects you're doing at school, but I reckon you could write a project on 'how I planned and saved for my Eglu'!

 

good for you - let us know when you get your Eglu.

[Chooken]

Closed =]

Edited November 26, 2008 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Good for you Chooken . Sounds like you've spent a lot of time and thought working out the best plan for you and your parents . I hope they appreciate your level-headed approach to your plan . They (the chickens, not your parents!) are going to be lucky chooks having such a sensible owner!

Edited June 22, 2008 by Guest

[Steve.]

Do a spreadsheet of initial cost, plus going costs such as feed/maintenance and your time based on per chicken basis. Work out what is best for selling the spare eggs. Using this method I worked out that 10,000 hens would net me £65k per year. The only downside was the 100 Cube's+run that I'd need!

 

As a guide to your new task, a cube + extension + 10 chickens + other goodies breaks even at about 1 year and 4 months

 

Oh, based on your new found business acumen borrow money off your parents as stakeholders to sponsor your new venture. Then drop all interest after 2 weeks and play your Super-Xbox-Wiii intead. Or was that just me?

[alison]

You sound a very bright lad to me, well done for thinking it through so carefully.

 

Good luck!

 

Alison

[The Dogmother]

Nice to see that Prudence has another friend.

[mayflower]

Hi Chooken, how lovely that you want to keep hens and your willing to raise the cash yourself and forgo presents and have money instead. Could you also ask your parents if, they have unwanted items that you could sell at a car boot sale to help with the money? Good luck.

[Chooken]

Closed =]

Edited November 26, 2008 by Guest

[ubereglu]

To be honest I'm not sure about either way. You definitely won't be able to get an eglu from eglu for £100 even if it is without the run, as on the whole they cost more than that. Also if you were to build a run might your parents object to a large structure being placed in the garden and have you truly thought about the security issues entailed and the maintenance costs which you are likely to pay for.

 

Another thing is have you considered looking on here too for second hand eglus? I managed to buy mine with a convertor for £250 with delivery included. Also you could think about seeing if you could buy a brand new eglu without run from Omlet and then buy a second hand run for it-these can cost about £50.

 

Another thing to be considered is showing your parents that you are serious about the whole idea and that you have done all of the necessary research beforehand. I had to do this myself and compiled a whole folder of research to do with chickens, health. welfare, costings etc.

 

I'm not trying to put you off the idea, but you really have to think hard about the whole plan, including what you would do on holiday and who you'd get to look after them. There's no point in simply saying that the neighbours will look after them if you haven't discussed the idea with them first.

 

Good Luck! I did a similar thing to you as well! Also try and think of other ways in which you could save too!

[Steve.]

Although life may seem unfair .... just remember you get to select your Parent's Nursing home

[whittlewitch]

Hi Chooken,

 

Keeping chickens is a great idea, but they do involve work and commitment like any pet. I know my issue when my daughter wanted a rabbit (which I am highly alllergic too), was the responsibility of looking after it as I antcipated the job falling on me - which it didn't.

 

I think you need to convince your parents of your dedication, have you shown them your cost predicitions, as I thought that this shows that you have given the matter a great deal of thought, perhaps you could do a similar exercise with the running costs ie. cost against money saved on buying eggs, as it is without a doubt (after the initial outlay) cheaper to keep chickens then buy free range eggs. You also have the benefit of knowing that your eggs come from well looked after happy chickens.

 

If you are serious about the chickens, if you carry on saving (therefore they know that you are committed) and demostrating how responsible and dedicated you are, then they hopefully might come around to the idea. From a parents point of view, the secret here is to show how responsible you are, discuss it in an adult manner, be open to suggestions and compromises that they might offer, and be prepared to wait if necessary.

 

I am really impressed with your initiave - so very best wishes with this venture.

[ubereglu]

Although life may seem unfair .... just remember you get to select your Parent's Nursing home

 

Nah! If his parents are anything like mine they're too stubborn!

[Seagazer]

Oh Chooken I'm so sorry they've changed their minds. I think you should still carry on saving as they may well change their minds again.

 

Well done for working it all out, I think your parents should be very proud of you.

[WitchHazel]

Oh Chooken, I;m sorry to hear that.

 

I cam e on here as I've just spotted someone selling a run etc in the For Sale section. Not much use to you now.

 

Oh, why not get your parents to go along to a hen party with you?

[Lesley]

Although life may seem unfair .... just remember you get to select your Parent's Nursing home

 

I like that!

[SAB]

I was never allowed any pets when living with my parents, now in adulthood I am making up for it - 1 dog; 1 tortoise, 2 fish, 2 guinea pigs, 3 cats (+ 1 feral who visits regularly); 6 regular chooks + 6 ex-batts; pond full of tadpoles; house full of weans - don't let go your dream, you'll get there. Pity Cube isn't even bigger or you could move into one with your chickens!!

 

Why not see if anyone local needs a chicken sitter - at best your parents will see how committed you are; at worst, you will at least be able to look after some hens.

 

Good luck!