How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[fluffyknickers]

Hello all, my name is Michelle and I live in Chelmsford in Essex and have a husband and two children.

 

I am thinking about getting a Eglu and two chickens from Omlet but just a bit nervous about a few things.

 

My main worry is that I wont have enough space in my garden. How often do you have to move it about to fresh area?

 

Also some of our garden is shaded and grass doesnt grow well so I assume that area (muddy/mossy) would be unsuable?

 

Or is it better to put down an area for bark chippings as the site shows - if so then how often do you have to change the chippings and does this work out very costly?

 

Does everyone find it ok when you are on holiday for a week - assume you get a friend of neighbour to come in and feed them and let them in and out?

 

I assume every morning you let them out in the run then put them back in the night. If you are around in the day I assume you can let them out in to the rest of the garden as long as its secure.

 

I need to get out in the garden tomorrow and measure it to check but wanted to see what the possibilities are if its not the area mentioned (which I think is about 8m by 5m).

 

Thank you so much for reading and your time

Michelle

[likeastar--x]

The beauty of the eglu is that it takes up so little space. You dont have to move it around to fresh areas of grass if you want, you can put down woodchip or something else and keep it in one area.

 

I would suggest bark chippings, which I use, though some others may suggest Aubiose or Hemcore - i'll leave them to give you advice on that. Bark gets wet and muddy, but woodchip stays clean when damp. I change mine every 6 months or so.

 

Dirt dry ground is perfect for their needs, as this provides a perfect area for scratching in (to find insects, etc.) but they might not be so happy when it rains and turns to mud, so you might be more comfortable with one of the products above.

 

If you went on holiday a friend or neighbour will have to take care of them for you, as they cant be left alone this long unattended to.

 

A lot of people free-range their chickens but there are big risks of fox attacks, which can be upsetting. The chickens can live perfectly happy in the run at all times, but if you want to let them free range during the day, be aware that there are potential risks, though these can be reduced by products such as a Foxwatch

 

Hope that you get to enjoy all that chicken keeping has to offer! PM me if your ever stuck

 

[Plum]

Well I wrote you a long reply but LaSx has said it all.

You could try a hen party to meet others and an experienced omleteer. I found it gave me confidence before I started.

Just do it and learn as you go. They are such fun and give me a laugh every day. I never realised what little personalities they are. Enjoy

[One_Box]

Welcome to the forum

 

I also keep our hen houses on hard standing using bark chippings in the runs. I change the chippings every month and put the spent material on the garden borders which the chooks then redistribute when they free range

 

I think unless you have a large garden and are prepared to move your hen house very regularly, having a fixed installation makes the most sense.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide, you will not regret getting some girls

[quickcluck]

Hi Michelle...

 

I would strongly recommend a hen party. Penguidmad runs on is Rettendon so not far from you, and she has both an eglu and a cube.... I went to hers and it was fantastic for information...

 

Alternatively if you just want to be nosey... I only have a cube, but am not a million miles from you either, you are welcome to come for a visit to see what goes on!!!

 

Good luck whatever you decide, you'll never look back they are FAB

[BeckyBoo]

Hi and welcome, definitely get hens, they are the easiest pet in the world, easier than cats, dogs, hamsters the lot. Have a good look round this forum, there is loads of good advice and pictures of various peoples set ups, and see if you can visit someone to see the Eglu in the flesh. Don't know how old your children are, but if you DO get hens, get ready for your childrens popularity to increase and your house to fill up with other peoples children!

 

BeckyBoo

[fluffyknickers]

Wow that's really interesting and very useful.

 

I now realise the best solution for our little garden is to keep it in one place and secure off an area (not sure how big this should be but will check the site) with the logs or the special green border I saw on this site or some other border - ideas please?

 

Then I assume I should place down a fibre first - or is this not required?

 

Then lay down the chipping/bark/amboise - what are everyones thoughts on the best thing to use and the most economical?

 

How often does the whole of the bedding have to be changed? Is it a case of picking through it for a while then changing the whole lot?

 

What is the best way to secure the run to the ground?

 

I would like to place some corrugated plastic over the top, was thinking about how to secure this to the run - can you drill holes in it then use cable ties to tie it on?

 

Lastly (for now - sorry!) i was thinking I would like one of each of the chicken types available on the site - is it ok to mix breeds or do they prefer their own!

 

Let me know if you think its bes to ask each of these questions individually on seperate posts.

 

Sorry for all the questions - just want to make sure I know what I am doing

 

Thank you so much

Michelle

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum, Michelle . Quite normal to be nervous, I know I was too!

 

My main worry is that I wont have enough space in my garden. How often do you have to move it about to fresh area?

I have a very small garden so have my eglu and run on soil just with Hemcore or Easibed, nothing underneath. I clean the run out every 6 weeks or so. I rake off the top few inches for the compost or flowerbeds, put down garden lime and Stalosan F then a thick new layer of Easibed. I use corrugated plastic sheets which are brilliant at keeping the run dry. They are held on with bungee cords. I secure my run with bits of concrete slab along the skirt.

 

Also some of our garden is shaded and grass doesnt grow well so I assume that area (muddy/mossy) would be unsuable?

A shady area isn't really a problem - in fact, if we ever get sun , it's important to give them some shade.

 

Or is it better to put down an area for bark chippings as the site shows - if so then how often do you have to change the chippings and does this work out very costly?

I pay about £7 for a bale of Easibed & use half a bale every 6 weeks or so.

 

Does everyone find it ok when you are on holiday for a week - assume you get a friend of neighbour to come in and feed them and let them in and out?

You can actually leave the eglu door open day and night so all a friend/neighbour has to do is top up water/food every day or even every second day, and remove the eggs!

 

I assume every morning you let them out in the run then put them back in the night. If you are around in the day I assume you can let them out in to the rest of the garden as long as its secure.

There's always the risk of foxes but lots of people let their hens freerange while they are in the house or garden (I do). Wing clipping and some strategically placed netting or fences will contain them.

 

I need to get out in the garden tomorrow and measure it to check but wanted to see what the possibilities are if its not the area mentioned (which I think is about 8m by 5m).

Can't remember the dimensions of my garden but it's about the width of an ordinary sized 3 bed detached house in an estate and the length of a normal sized garage.

 

You can mix breeds but it's probably best to get similar sized birds.

Hope that helps . You should definitely go for it - it's really worth it .

[Redwing]

Hi Michelle

 

It sounds like you have already made your mind up anyway!

 

My Eglu is on grass but I put a roll of welded wire mesh under the Eglu and run to deter anything that tries to get in and also to ensure that the woodchips I used don't mix with the mud below.

 

Woodchips are very good, I use handfuls of Aubiose to soak up damp and the mix works very well. I have wooden boards around the run held against the run with tent pegs that keep the bedding in. This way the Eglu is pegged safely and closely to the ground rather than on a softer woodchip surface which could be easier for something to dig in to

 

 

This is the best pic I could find to explain what I mean, sorry its not a great one! (you don't need a blanket over the Eglu in the cold, I am just paranoid about the cold!)

 

My woodchips are beginning to break down and go a bit dodgy after about four months and the original cost of the bags was about £12 so not too bad!

 

Aubiose/Easibed/Hemcore are very good but you must have a cover on the run or they soak up all the rain and the chickesn would effectively be walking on jelly

 

I use a clear tarpaulin to cover my run but the corrugated plastic is very good apparently, bungee cords are ideal for holding covers on the run

 

I am not sure about the breeds, sorry

 

Good luck in your chicken quest, I am thrilled with mine and still enjoy looking after them and spending time watching them after four months of chicken ownership

[Egluntyne]

I would put the Eglu and run on a slabbed ares. It makes cleaning the run very easy, and prevents foxes from tunnelling in. The run will need to be weigher down with boulders.

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I have a wooden coop ( at the moment but looking to up grade very soon) standing on some old paving slabs. It makes it very easy to clean, I use auboise or hemcore ( whichever they have in stock at the shop).

 

I have an 8 year old daughter who loves the bantams ( or mini chooks as she calls them) but she is a bit nervous of the big chicken.

 

I think you are out of range for the omlet chickens but there is a company called Hens for Homes in Essex.

 

 

I can recommend hens as pets they are fun and eat all the snails and slugs in the garden when free ranging!

[C&T]

You sound as though you are decided!!

 

I would put at least the eglu itself on slabs - deters rodents. Personally have found that if these little guests are deterred from the start, you shouldn't have any real problem with them. However, if you make it too easy for them to get to food and water, then you could start to have an unwelcome wildlife addition to your garden...

 

You can get some very cheap paving slabs from places like Wickes, and as you can't see them, doesn't matter if they don't look very nice!

 

edit: Forgot to say we have one each of the Omlet chickens, and they are lovely! Real characters!

[MedusA]

I would just like to add that I fully endorse what everybody else has said.

 

Keeping chickens is the greatest fun and they make the best pets. It is possible to have a nice garden AND chickens if you keep them confined to a certain area that is theirs to trash.

 

One other suggestion. Why not go to a "Hen Party" close to you (details under "courses" tab at the top of the page)? They are not expensive to attend, and I'm sure there must be loads near you. You would learn the basics from an experienced Omleteer and get to meet other like-minded people and stroke chickens too. What more could you want?

 

Do go for it. I can assure you that you won't regret it. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

[fluffyknickers]

Ah thanks everyone - really great messages.

 

I am more or less decided and been in the garden to measure up and spoke to the lovely lady on the phone at Omlet.

 

I just need to convice husband (who usually says yes as long as i deal with it all and pay for it all!).

 

I have decided on the eglu and run and to have a stationary one edged in the green structure they sell on omlet - any tips or advise on this or if there is a better edging?

 

Hayley at Omley advised that I secure the run down with the pegs they sell and then I was thinking if I then should add some slabs or something to the skirt too?

 

Once thats down i then need to see what the best stuff is for the bottom so will ask around you experts and have a look on the site - I was thinking a mix or woodchip and then some hemcore or amboise - depending on where i can get these things!

 

Then for over the top of the run I would like some clear tarpualin and bungee cords - so need to know what length to get - any ideas?

 

The lady (Hayley) at Omlet said they can nest in the eglu on straw or just some shredded paper (have loads of shredded paper at work) - is this ok, do they like something better than others?

 

Lastly then the chickens in it and I have decided on one of each.

 

i am very nervous as this is a totally new thing to us and no familyor friends have chickens and our garden is small (three bedroom terraced house so not massive).

 

Now to persuade husband!

x

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Glad you've decided to take the plunge - you won't regret it .

 

Only thing I would say is, if you've decided on 3 hens and they won't be freeranging all day, you should consider getting a converter for your run. It gives them a good bit of extra space & you don't have to worry so much about them being cramped.

 

Each "portion" of run is 1m long so that helps you work out how much "roofing" you need.

 

I have photos of my run pre- and post-converter if it would help!

 

Re the bedding, I use shredded paper which is great as it can also go straight in the compost bin. I have started adding a bit of hemcore to weight it down though as the paper gets kicked all over the shop while they're laying .

[fluffyknickers]

Thanks - have decided on just two as at the moment wont have an extention piece just the standard size.

x

[stoice]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

 

I have decided on the eglu and run and to have a stationary one edged in the green structure they sell on omlet - any tips or advise on this or if there is a better edging?

This sounds fine, or you could use rustic log edging. Depending on your budget - ever thought of a permanent walk-in run? the extra height is great for an adventure playground for your girls, plus the extra run space means you could get a few more chooks that could stay in the run all the time if they have to (If foxes are a problem etc) Good sites are flyte so fancy or aviaries4u

 

Hayley at Omley advised that I secure the run down with the pegs they sell and then I was thinking if I then should add some slabs or something to the skirt too?

Some people also decorate with flower pots etc

 

Once thats down i then need to see what the best stuff is for the bottom so will ask around you experts and have a look on the site - I was thinking a mix or woodchip and then some hemcore or amboise - depending on where i can get these things!

A great local place to you is in Hatfield Peverel called upsons or tower foods in tiptree is good aswell as a marriages store near me in colchester.

 

Then for over the top of the run I would like some clear tarpualin and bungee cords - so need to know what length to get - any ideas?

Some people use a cheap shower curtain from ikea or dunelm, they're great as you can get clear ones to let the light through. Or you could use a sheet of corregated plastic roofing from wickes or B&Q

 

The lady (Hayley) at Omlet said they can nest in the eglu on straw or just some shredded paper (have loads of shredded paper at work) - is this ok, do they like something better than others?

I used shredded paper but found it got a bit mucky (One of my girls regularly sleeps in the nest box and poops in it). I just use hemcore now although some chopped straw would also be ok. All three compost well though. (Upsons sell medi-bed chopped straw, hemcore, easi-bed wood chip etc at reasonable prices)

 

Lastly then the chickens in it and I have decided on one of each.

A local supplier hens4homes also sells a range of chooks! You'll soon want more!!!!

 

i am very nervous as this is a totally new thing to us and no familyor friends have chickens and our garden is small (three bedroom terraced house so not massive).

Our garden is quite small too so we decided to convert part of our shed. (Although would've LOVED an eglu. Penguinmad as suggested by quickcluck has an eglu and cube and also rents out an eglu and provides chicken holidays. Maybe go to a hen party, handling some chooks and getting other opinions will put you at ease.

 

Now to persuade husband!

x

 

edited for typo

[fluffyknickers]

wow thats brilliant - thank you.

 

Now you ae getting me thinking about a walk in run!!! Husband will have a fit!!!

 

Thing is can it just be as narrow as the eglu run?

 

Thanks

Michelle

[poachedegg]

We use decking planks on their side to edge our cube - we painted ours green to blend with the garden. We also use heavy duty tent pegs which we bought on ebay, much cheaper than Omlet, though are bright yellow!

 

Just going to take OH to the train station - will find a link to them when I get back.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

ETA http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/15-x-8-Heavy-Duty-Plastic-Tent-Pegs-Camping-Peg_W0QQitemZ380099030251QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportsLeisure_HikingCamping_Tents_JN?hash=item380099030251&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[fluffyknickers]

OK, you now all have me thinking about putting the Eglu in a wooden run that is high enough to get in to and I have been on the links sent on this forum which are great and now looking at cost.

 

It would still have to be as narrow as the eglu and run but could be higher - so can you therefore get more chickens or not?

 

Also can you buy the eglu on its own without the run or not?

 

Sorry for all the questions - I dont want to get this wrong.

 

Thank you so much for all the help - its amazing.

x

[poachedegg]

Also can you buy the eglu on its own without the run or not?

 

 

Yes you can.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

You can also get reconditioned eglus from Omlet (£40 discount) which are good as new . You just phone up and ask if they have any.

[fluffyknickers]

Righty ho!

 

Spoken to the lovelt Avaries 4U and they have given me some indication of costing and size and delivery.

 

Also spoken again to Omlet and they currently dont have any reconditioned eglus but do have the shiny ones that are slightly reduced.

 

Problem is I would like the chickens and Eglu in Feb but the walk in run isnt available til March so would have to have the run as well.

 

Unless I can hire a run to use until my walk in one comes!

 

Oh no more to think about!

 

Michelle

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Let us know whereabouts you are . There might be someone with a spare run who could lend it to you temporarily.

[fluffyknickers]

I live in Chelmsford in Essex.

 

Just Pmd you as you must have been replying!

 

Thanks

Michelle