Falkor Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Hi I am the sister of palmer06 who has very kindly given me three orpingtons for my birthday. They are living at his house for the next few weeks so I need to get sorted!. The chicken house is due to arrive early next week. It is a wooden house, the nesting box on side and nifty pull out metal tray at back for cleaning. I have a rectangular space in the corner of my garden that I intend to use a Chicken HQ and I was just going to put a waist high fence up rather than an enclosed run. So there will be 6ft fence on two sides, 6ft+ side of shed on the third. Am I being naive to think that the fox won`t get them in the day? Plan B is to purchase pre made panels with wire mesh and door then roof it with corrugated plastic. This seems to be the more sensible albeit unsightly solution after reading posts on the forum! Also, I intend to stand the house on paving slabs as there is not a great deal of clearance. Has anyone got a list of must have essentials and then a list of stuf I can purchase as I go. Any feedback on my plans gratfully recevied. em x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh sarah Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 hi and welcome congratulations on beautiful orpington chickens i think a covered secure run is a must or you might regret it, it will be cheaper in the long run. i have a walk in run on paving slabs and it works great. good luck sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmer06 Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Hi Sis, Welcome!! Does The other half know about these chickens yet???? I will write you a list of what we have and anything else i can find which will help you on your way. When i left the house this morning they were all getting on which is good and looking very happy. The pictures you saw last night you can use and put on your next post if you want. If not you will have to take some when you come down. Good luck with the construction!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Hellooooooooooooooooooo and welcome..... Where are the pics??? You are lucky to have Orpingtons, you will love them!!! good luck with your new pets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bephlam Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Congrats on your pending chickens!!! I wouldn't be happy with your waist height fence idea. If you're leaving them during the day I wouldn't be confident that they're safe exposed like that. I mean, you don't have to just worry about foxes...you've got neighbourhood cats, dogs...and wild birds coming in and using their drinkers/feeders...contaminating them! I would personally suggest a fully enclosed run - and if it's covered it's DEFRA compliant, so in the unlikely event of bird flu in your area...your girls SHOULD be safe. I'm sure your brother will have loads of advice for you - especially if he already has chickens! You'll love your orps...and I'm quite sure will end up getting more...and more...and more...and more....It's VERY addictive this chicken thing!! Good luck - and post piccies....always enjoy them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow_Warren Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I'm new to chickens only having had them about 7 weeks! I wouldn't relax if they weren't in a fully enclosed run whilst I wasn't about. My run wasn't covered when I first had it, and i have to say it's much better now it's got a solid roof. Rain still gets in through the sides but not half as much as if it didn't have a cover - I wouldn't be without it now. Hannah p.s. Opringtons... you are sooo lucky, they have to be one of my favourites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Congratulations - what a fab birthday present! I would definitely go for the strong, covered run. The chickens will hop over waist high fencing in no time - as would a fox. Initially, you just need food (pellets or mash), some sort of bedding for the nest box and, preferably, something absorbent for the floor of the run. Everything else you can build up gradually. There are numerous supplements you can use (see the Omlet shop), but I bought the extras as and when I needed them. Hope we'll see pictures of your girls when they arrive. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Lucky you! Being stately and of a more 'traditional build', orps don't do too much garden damage and find it hard to flap over fences. I hope that you enjoy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Hi Has anyone got a list of must have essentials and then a list of stuf I can purchase as I go. em x Hello, Welcome. Your list of must have essentials for keeping chickens - Camera Chair or stool to chicken watch Warm coat and gloves Flask for hot drinks mobile phone to text friends, enemies or anyone else about their antics Someone to make meals for you Couple of extra days in the week for chickenwatching Cushion because by now your bums numb. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 Hi Thanks everyone..... Chicken HQ has moved onto plan B after all your great advise. I have changed the house that I have ordered to include a run about the same size as an eglu run so that the ladies will be secure when I am not in, which isn`t often as I work from home. The waist fence is still going up for now so that they have a bit more room to roam when I am in and I can keep them off the flower beds. Luckily ( and it was sheer luck and not planning) the composter is alreadt in area of Chicken HQ so cleaning will de a doddle, newspaper, straw and poo all straight in there! Here are Gin, Caffreys and Stella all taucked up at Uncle Ben's house. I am so excited......... I have got a rather attractive bucket that I plan to upend and sit on to watch my chickens, i won`t get any work done! I am shopping online NOW for the stuff i NEED and I think as you advise I will buy the rest as I need it. Omlet shop is great but anyone got any other online suppliers? Em x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmer06 Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Hey, i thought one was going to be called "speckeld hen" after the cider! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted November 18, 2008 Author Share Posted November 18, 2008 Ok we are onto plan C as the guy who was supplying my wood hen house has let me down, the chickens are due to arrive thurs but he reckons the house won`t be here until next FRI!!!?? So plan c is............... AN EGLU!!!!!!!!! YAY, the lovely people at Omlet were so helpful and the Eglu will be set up and in the garden ready the the ladies imminent arrival. I am not sure what I am more excited about, the chickens or the eglu! Also big thanks to Uncle Ben and Auntie Genene for hen sitting my ladies whilst I get sorted and thanks for the lovley birthday presents!!! So I am now the proud owner of: STELLA - Orpington CAFFREYS - Orpington - GIN - ORPINGTON Molly, Oscar and Midge the cats Justin - BOYF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 How lucky is that I bet you can't wait for Thursday now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B,C,B Hopefully Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Hiii We're New two are house came today :):):) We're just looking for some now :) Ir really want some The only reson is we started to like them (by the way we're getting silkers) we went on hoilday the farm we stayed on had loads of birds all kinds. So if you have any tips on anything Please say ThankYou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Welcome aboard. Interesting user name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted November 19, 2008 Author Share Posted November 19, 2008 THEY ARE HERE!!!!! So happy with my eglu and love my littl bro for the great present and help today! We collected the eglu and run the ladies had a little explore whilst we built it. I have posted some pics (hopefully) but it got dark so no pics of eglu in it`s perm spot on bark. The girles arrive and venture out The eglu arrives in pieces The location for the eglu Eglu with chickens! I will post more pics tomorrow of the eglu and run in it`s final resting place! I can`t wait until the morning to let them out into the run. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Bums up they look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted November 19, 2008 Author Share Posted November 19, 2008 Yes, bums up! They had just discovered grass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 They look lovely - haven't you got a lovely brother! And all the lovely grass for the chickens to trash within the week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Welcome to the wonderful world of chicken keeping, Palmer07 . What a great brother you have . I only ever get a card from mine . (Although we did agree on that .) Beautiful girls there and I'm glad you got an eglu - you won't regret it . Welcome to B,C,B Hopefully too (we need an explanation on that name .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B,C,B Hopefully Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 B-Betty C-Custard B-Bella :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 your girls look adorable, you must be so excited! Looking forward to seeing some more pix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 B-BettyC-Custard B-Bella :) Aahh, I see . Thought the "C" might have been chicken . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Your new girls look lovely, I'm so , they are such fluffy chickys . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted November 26, 2008 Author Share Posted November 26, 2008 Hi Well they have been here a week today and they seem to be settling in except Gin has the runs but am putting that down to travel, new house, new food etc. Will worry in few days if she doesn`t return to normal pooing! Here are new pics Stella will already eat from my hand and the other two are getting closer. Have been letting them out into the garen about half two and they have been putting themselves to bed at about half four except for tonight where they completly missed the run door and ended up huddled together in the corner BEHIND the Eglu. I had to pick them up and put them in the run door, they obviously wanted to go to bed as all three of them went for the door at once. BUNDLE!! I am loving them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
