Solitary chicken - need advice

[Electricbarbarella]

Seriously I have my cube on order and dh says I can order an extension and get 6 chooks if I want to.

At the moent I am soexcited but I won't get bored down the line somewhere will I.

At the moment I just think the more chooks the better.

[prettychic]

Go for it ! x

[SAB]

Q - How addictive is it?

 

A - Very!

[chickenanne]

Oooh. I would get the extension and 4 chickens. That way you can add 2 or 3 more later if you still want to, but you have a good number to start with.

If you have fewer in a larger area it makles it so much easier to clean and look after them, too. And you may have re-think in terms of breeds etc once you have more experience. And whilst the novelty of chickens won't wear off, you're liking for eggs definitely will. I have 4 chickens and the thought of an omlette makes me feel a bit gross.

And 4 is the ideal number of chickens, of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(this is because I have 4, not for any scientific, chickeny-reason)

[Electricbarbarella]

I was thinking that we could get them all now so we don't have introduction issues in the future.

I really have had far to much time to think about this.

I am just so excited.

[Hen Watch]

If you know you want more now, I would say go for it from the start and get the extension & chooks now so you don't have the introduction hassle.

 

As to the addictive question, yes very and it doesn't wane either.

 

I've had mine 1yr + 3 months now. I still love them. I now go out in my back garden every day (even in Winter it was fun.......wet and soggy, but still fun). Before in the winter I never went in the garden exept to put washing out. Now I trot out in the morning to feed and water them, collect eggs. Let them free range at 10am after the school run. They follow me around the garden like little dogs when they are free ranging. AND...... you will do no housework as evenings (and the ocassional morning ) are spent on this forum swapping chicken info.

[alison]

Hi electricbarbarella, I am from mumsnet.

 

I am thinking of getting two extra chickens too!

 

Alison

[Electricbarbarella]

i know who you are bubbles.

Are you having the poultry protection pen, that looks massive.

I still haven't decided, I though the minute dh agreed I would be on the phone.

[Egg Lou]

Yes get extension! it gives them so much more room.. and chance for the "underdog" underchook? to get away from top hen.

 

I have 4 in cube with extension and although I could squeeze more in, I think for the amount of time they are stuck in while I'm at work then 4 is plenty.

[alison]

barbarella, my pen is only 9'x9' but it is BIG enough!

 

I am putting the cube on the outside, not sure how it is going to be attached yet, will think about that when it arrives next week.

 

Isn't it getting exciting?

 

I have bought grit, verm x, poultry drink, mixed ciorn, layers pellets, dionat whatever stuff.

 

I shall get the hemcore/aubiose/.easibed next week, not sure which is best, they are all £6.85 a bag, so is woodchip.

 

Alison

[Electricbarbarella]

I haven't managed to find a supplier for hemcore type stuff yet

I am going to get layers pellets and grit and corn from the farm I am getting the chooks from.

For the future my local petshop sells them bit it is £8.50 a sack which is a lot more.

Been trying to phone a friend who has a horse to see about bedding.

I can;'t believe it's nearly here.

[quickcluck]

Hi, I know exactly how you feel, i've gone from an eglu and 2 chicks, to 3 chicks to a cube and 6!!!!! I am worried about the introduction thing so I thought I'd just jump straight in!!!

 

I've got most stuff now, but am trying to find Limestone flour and bedding.....

 

best of luck to you!

[Electricbarbarella]

actually I have just remembered that I saw a poster in Sheffield. I wonder where she gets her bedding from?

I have ordered the extension now and an extra shad, I was going to go for a shower curtain but the shade really isn't that much.

When I phoned they did advise me that it may be a day early and I said they were ok to leave in the back garden so hopefully won't miss it as dd has her first school visit.

Limestone floor? do you mean like slabs?

I have to find bedding so far i have only managed to find sawdust shavings type stuff and I sdon't think that would be any good in the run.

[frazzled]

Would all you chicken experts advise an extension for a cube + 4 chooks?

 

I've just ordered the cube & 4 chooks, now wondering about an extension but would need to convince OH

[Egg Lou]

Would all you chicken experts advise an extension for a cube + 4 chooks?

 

I've just ordered the cube & 4 chooks, now wondering about an extension but would need to convince OH

 

Hi I ordered the standard one originally and then upgraded at last minute.. I so pleased I did so if you manage to get the extra then really recommend it! I have four and it gives them a much better area in my opinion.

[Electricbarbarella]

I was planning to get 6 now I have upgraded, do you think that is still too many then?

[Egg Lou]

You should be fine

 

Its really down to personal choice I think as some on here have 4 and some 6 ..

 

I just prefer 4 as mine are in run till 6 about 3 days a week, DD lets them out after school other days and out all day at weekends..

 

In the winter they will spend more time in as dark when I get home so wanted to leave enough room for them..

If yours will be out more then sure they'll be fine!