Single hen

[redsky]

After lurking in these forums, reading up on as much as I can, the day is nearly here.

 

On sunday I am picking up my new coop (pic below, not an eglu or cube i'm afraid - a bit too expensive for me). Now I just want to check I have everything ready for the 2 hens - a mendlesham amber & a heritage skyline.

 

I have a drinker & feeder, layer pellets & some aubiose for the nesting box. The coop/run will go straight onto grass, once the grass is gone I will put paving stones down and cover with aubiose.

 

Should I be putting aubiose in the coop, under the perches too - or will that encourage them to nest & sleep on the coop floor?

 

Anything else I should be getting? Its sooo exciting, I have always wanted to keep chickens, but I haven't had the room until now!

 

[Christian]

Hello Redsky and congratulations on deciding to get chickens!

 

I would line the coop with aubiose, as when the chickens roost, then tend to do a lot of droppings overnight. The aubiose will soak everything up and make cleaning easier for your

[madchickenlady]

Hi I also have a wooden coop, and I use newspaper under the roosting bars, then change it daily. In my nest boxes, I use wood shavings. In the run (slabbed) I use easibed, and change it approx. every 6 weeks. Have fun with your hens!

[chelsea]

Welcome to the forum.

 

I love the wooden house, that window just deserves a little pair of cute gingham curtains!

 

I chose Peggy and Geraldine in the poll, I love the "lady" names for chooks.

[helen5848]

That coop looks very similar to mine - mine has the cute little window too but the roof is not as slanted - it's worked quite nicely for my three so far! Had them 3-4 weeks now!

 

 

 

In the bed I use newspaper, with sawdust and straw on top - they seem to like this.

The run section of my coop is on slabs - I have tried coating the slabs in bark chip, which they love rooting round in - but does get soggy and smelly with rain, and also sand - I am currently still using the sand - they seem like like lying and rolling in it and it seems to stay cleaner for longer (it's easier to poo pick in the sand!!!)

 

Good luck with the new arrivals - you'll soon be wondering what happened to all of your free time - I spend so much time with mine!

[mostin]

So excited for you , I'm sure they will love their new home. I have an amber and she is a big softie, she loves cuddles. I have a columbine too, which is similar to a skyline, and lays lovely green eggs.

 

Remember to post some photos for us so we can see your girlies happy in their new home

[Gamebird]

Picking up chickens - how exciting.

 

I chose Geraldine - good strong name - and Layla - very appropriate name for an egg laying chicken and also because I like Eric Clapton.

 

Good luck on Sunday.

[Chickvic]

I chose Geraldine and Layla - although I like Peggy too! Can't wait to see your new girls