4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[ClareH]

Hi, I'ver been lurking a bit before the girls arrived but now they're here (end of day two) I realise how much I still need to learn. We've got three chickens, the breeder said about 19 weeks old, but stupidly I forgot to ask what breeds they are, two are white, one is brown, they are all lovely and seem to have settled in really well, and we're so excited!

 

Questions...

 

1. I think I understand that I should keep them in the run for a few days before letting them free range in the garden, is that right? Our garden is totally secure so they'll be fine there but I'm a bit uncertain about how I'm going to get them back in the run once they're out, also might they try to escape over the fence - should I clip their wings before letting them out?

 

2. Like I said we have three girls, we have a eglu with the run and one extension bit. My husband really wants to get one more chicken but I don't think they'll have enough room. Our plan is to let them wander around the whole garden when we're at home (I work part time, he works shifts and we have pre-school children so we're around quite a bit) but obviously they'll be in their run othewise as we live in an urban area, we've never seen a fox here but I'm certain there must be one around. Any thoughts?

 

3. We have quite a lot of ivy in the garden, I've read that it's poisonous for them, should I be worried?

 

I'm sure I'll think of lots more, thank you in advance for your help, this chicken lark is brilliant so far!

[Space Chick]

Hi ClareH, welcome to the forum.

 

I left my girls in the run for 5 days before letting them free range, but I know that some people haven't been able to wait that long! I gave mine corn every evening when they were in the run, but I tapped a tupperware container before giving them the corn. The first night I let them free range, tapped the tupperware and they came running to the run like lunatics! Gave them corn, hey presto sorted!

 

I have a cube, so can't advise on whether you could have another but most have 3 in the run with extension. Also it would be difficult to introduce a sole hen, even after only a day or two.

 

I can't advise on the Ivy I'm afraid, I removed most of mine, I still have some but in inaccessible to the girls.

 

Enjoy, and please share piccies! Maybe someone can tell you what breeds they are aswell then. Do they have names aswell?

[ClareH]

Thanks for that, I'll get going with the corn and tupperware! We've named two of them so far, Georgina and Harriet, we're still looking for the third name as we want (in equal measures) a pretty girls name and a Grant Mitchell kind of rough boy name, hmmm. I've taken lots of pictures so far, will get round to downloading them at some point. Thanks again.

[quickcluck]

Hi Clare and welcome to the chooky world!!!

 

sounds like you are enjoying them already!

 

I'd definately clip their wings before letting them out do spend a few days shaking the corn pot so they know what it means then you'll have no probs

 

I think if you've got an extension 3 chooks is enough even with some free ranging during the day.... It can be very tricky to add in one chook, so maybe stick with 3 until you decide if you really want more and then add in more than one, but more run space is needed really....

 

Don't be fooled by never seeing a foxy loxy in your garden, you can be sure they are lurking somewhere, as you've been browsing on here for a while I'm sure you've seen many tragic posts from people losing their lovelies .......... I have foxwatch which helps but is certainly not fox proof....

 

Hope we can all see some pics soon then some experts on here may be able to tell you what they are!!!

[ClareH]

I remembered my other question...

 

when we got them the breeder said to put water in their eglu with them that night, should I do that every night?

 

Ooo! Just watching out the window and they've put themselves to bed, last night they needed lots of encouraging, don't they learn fast?! Clever girls!

[quickcluck]

Nope! I wouldn't put anything in there!

 

What clever girls they are

[ClareH]

Good, nothing in there now, think it was just because she said put them straight in there for the night and it was still mid afternoon. I've just realised I haven't the first idea how to add photos!

[quickcluck]

down load them onto photo bucket and then copy the link in, I think it's the last one you want the IMG one, including the *****

 

quick!!!

[ClareH]

Here goes...

 

http://s564.photobucket.com/albums/ss86/clarew/

 

Fingers crossed!

[quickcluck]

ta dah!

 

 

 

 

[quickcluck]

The white ones look like Ambers to me! They are lovely, tame and very good layers

[ClareH]

Thanks!

[ClareH]

That sounds about right, the breeder said they were the best ones for our children and my husband liked what she said about the laying.