HELP aggressive chicken

[Vix_Chicks]

Hello

 

Well, this is all new to me.. and frankly its all a little daunting!

 

I have just purchased myself a lovely blue eglu and have it all set up in the garden. However, as we are currently house sitting, I am unsure whether to keep it on the grass (will it get ruined?)

Please could somebody help me... we have a plot of land about 3m square, which I was thinking of putting wood chips down and then putting the eglu on. Is this big enough for a permanent setting??

Please help. Any guidance would be gratefully received. I'm desperate to get my chickens now!!

[KarenW]

Hi,

 

We just got our eglu at the end of June, so haven't got much experience but will try and help a bit.

 

I think the grass will go muddy, unless you have enough room to move the eglu to a new patch every 3-4 days and are able to let the grass recover for a couple of weeks before using the same patch again. If you are house sitting, would you maybe be better off waiting to get the chickens until you're back at yours and then you won't be worrying about ruining someone else's grass?

 

We've got our eglu on woodchip, with log edging around. Because you need room to open the run door and take out the droppings tray, the area you put them on needs to be about 4m long by 1.8m wide. But the actual length of the eglu and run is about 3m I think, so if the woodchipped area is 3m long, but then you still have access to the door and tray then I think it would be fine. Depends if it is surrounded by a wall or something I suppose!

 

Hope to help a bit?

[Plum]

Hi there, if you want you can manage it on less space if you put lawn edging directly onto the run then you can fill with woodchip just inside the run. Mine is cube but I have done that and you use less woodchip

[Vix_Chicks]

Thank you Karen W.

The thing is, we are going to be live in 'house sitters' for another 2 years, and I don't think I can wait that long before I get my chickens!!!

 

Well the area that I was thinking of converting, could potentially be wided to 4m. It's currently been fenced in at that size, but i'm sure I could move the boundaries.

 

Do you keep them purely inside your run, or do you let them have roam of the garden? And which type of wood chippings do you use? Sorry for all the questions

[Ain't Nobody Here]

You can't possibly wait 2 years . I think moving the fence sounds like a good idea (any chance you could take some photos and post them so we can picture it and offer advice ).

 

My 3 are in a walk in run now but when they were in an eglu & run I let them have the run of the garden. I now contain them within the flowerbeds with Omlet netting and it's much easier. The grass is safe and there isn't poo everywhere . If you don't have much grass they will probably eat it all and scratch it up so if you want to keep the grass you may have to keep them off it.

 

I use horse bedding (as do many others) like Easibed or Hemcore - they are great for chicken runs but you do have to keep the run covered or it goes a bit soggy.

[Chickendoodle]

Hi

 

We have had our Eglu and chickens for a year. We started off by thinking we could just move the Eglu around every few days and let the girls free range as our garden is secure.

 

Bad idea!

 

We ended up with grass that was starting to resemble Glastonbury, chicken poo everywhere (it's quite amazing how much they can produce) so that the patio was like an assault course even though it was jet washed daily. One of our girls constantly tapped on the conservatory window driving us all mad and we ended up by feeling that our lives were being ruled by the chickens.

 

So we now have the Eglu (being upgraded to a next week) in an area fenced off by Omlet netting which is quite u"Ooops, word censored!"trusive at the bottom of the garden. They have an area of 11m x 8m (huge)which they are in pretty much all of the time (we shut them in the Eglu when we go out) We do let them free range in the whole garden sometimes but usually only for about an hour and when we are outside to stop them misbehaving.

 

We put bark in the Eglu which we have not had any problems with but I think lots of other people prefer wood chippings.

 

If you are house sitting presumably you have to leave it as you found it so be prepared to re-turf the area where you have had the chickens.

 

Good luck and I hope this helps

[Vix_Chicks]

Ahh, thank you chicken doodle, that has helped alot! As the garden doesn't belong to us, I think it would be unwise to let my little feathery friends dig it all up!!

 

I shall go home this evening and have a good look at the size available that I could pen them in. Do you have mesh over the top as well?- just thinking of foxes. I think I will take your advice and let them out as and when we are around to supervise!!

 

I'm so excited, I just want to get everything done asap!!

[Vix_Chicks]

Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody here.... will take some photos and attempt to post them!!! lol

[Chickendoodle]

No we dont have mesh over the top - the fencing is quite high and they haven't launched themselves over it yet! Not sure how you would get in there with mesh - it would end up being like those army assault course crawling nets!!

[Chickendoodle]

Oops sorry - didnt address the fox question. We have an urban fox quite near us and apart from sitting on the Eglu when we first had it we have had no bother. We do have a dog though and I think this is what keeps it out of the garden. We went away for a week recently, taking the dog with us leaving my daughter chicken-sitting. Couldnt work out when we got home how they were managing to escape through the netting. Discovered a hole had been gnawed through - quite difficult as the netting has wire running through it - can only assume Mr Fox had realised no dog and tried to get to the chickens.

 

So it is not fox proof by any means, and doesn't advertise itself to be.

[Olly]

How big is the garden overall? Supervised free-ranging is ok (supervised to keep a watch for foxes I mean) if you limit the time and if the garden is big enough.

 

I think some pictures are necessary!

[KarenW]

Thank you Karen W.

The thing is, we are going to be live in 'house sitters' for another 2 years, and I don't think I can wait that long before I get my chickens!!!

 

Well the area that I was thinking of converting, could potentially be wided to 4m. It's currently been fenced in at that size, but i'm sure I could move the boundaries.

 

Do you keep them purely inside your run, or do you let them have roam of the garden? And which type of wood chippings do you use? Sorry for all the questions

 

Ah, 2 years is a long time to have to wait for chickens

 

I have a run with a convertor, as we wanted 3 chickens and weren't sure how much we would be able to let them out, so I emailed Omlet and they said that for 3 chickens in the run full-time, having the convertor on is best. 2 chickens would be fine in just the standard run. So far we have let ours out when we get home from work and they get 3-4 hours out in the garden a day, but I imagine it will be less in winter.

 

They're on b&q hardwood chippings, but I did read the other day that softwood chippings are best, so think I might have messed up on that they seem fine though, but will try and get the softwood ones when we replace them.

 

Since you've already got your eglu, you could put it in the garden and try different positions and just make sure you can open the door/take the tray out etc and see where works best for you?

 

It's exciting isn't it? How many chickens are you getting? Have you found somewhere to get them from?

 

Karen

[Vix_Chicks]

Thank you again Karen! We were thinking of only having two chickens. So if I understand you correctly, we could keep them full time inside the eglu run that was provided with the eglu?? I would never want to be cruel to them, so I worry about them being cooped up inside their!! We would obviously let them out to roam when we are home - but i work in the city and so leave early. Get home about 4ish so could let them out then. And they'd have all of the weekend too!! - sounds like i'm trying to convince myself

Right, my mission this weekend is to take some photos and post them. The garden is fairly big, but is a typical Thatched Cottage Property where we have a minor (i mean about 10 cars at max!) drive by. Although we have hedges and bushes etc, there is no solid fence that would stop my wandering!!

 

Well thank you everybody again. Slowly I am getting there. Hopefully we should have chickens before too long... yes, we have found a local farm that sells point of lay hens. Thank you .

[KarenW]

Yes, as far as I know it's ok to keep 2 chickens in the standard run all of the time, though obviously it's better if they can have some time out of it, so what you're suggesting sounds perfect

 

Though just to warn you, my chickens are pretty adventurous and are always in and out of the bushes and take no notice of me when I try and shoo them out, so if there are chickens-sized gaps through them, they might get out. You could always get some netting that just sticks in with poles to section off a bit of garden for them though. Or section a bit of garden off from them

 

I bet you can't wait to fill that eglu, mine all came together, but I know I would have been so impatient to get the chickens if I had ordered the eglu first

[Olly]

Yes, you can keep 2 chickens in the standard run all the time with no harm to their health or well-being, or you could keep three if you added a converter!

 

However you will want to let them out for a wander at times. It would be worth investing in some good netting because they are very inquisitive and will follow their beaks through any gaps ... mine have escaped through quite a thick privet hedge into my neighbour's garden several times until I reinforced the fence.

 

Your set-up sounds idyllic, and clearly you aren't too worried about them getting into the road, but bear in mind the risk from foxes if they wander too far, and also the fact that if they wander away and it gets dark, they won't find their way back easily. Some sort of containment is pretty much essential, in my view!

 

Please post pics - just because it sounds so lovely!

[filbert1]

Hi,

 

Sorry to butt into your conversation but i was just browsing for info and noticed that Karen W just got 3 chickens, and an eglu and lives in Leicesershire. I live in Leicestershire and have just ordered 3 chickens and an eglu! They are coming on 11.08 and i just have a few questions really.

 

Do you have to clip their wings - can they actually fly? We have a child proof garden with 6ft fences all around but do have compost bins, benches, a shed etc which i suppose could be used to jump up and over? Would they try this in your experience?

 

Also i hadn't really thought of the poo issue until reading on here - I plan to let them free range in the garden every day - do they poo everywhere? I have 3 very young children and one who eats everything he comes across...I hadn't considered this. What is your experience?

 

Also we are getting 3 , and only the standard run is on order at the moment. When i ordered they explained that the standard run would be tight for 3 for any more than 12 hours at a time. I do plan to let them out all day every day (poo issues now may change this?) but if we were out for the whole day then they would have to stay in the run - do you think i should get the (£46) extension? It would probably only be occassionaly they would have to stay in the run for a full day. I just can't decide what to do as we have cleared a space and laid some new lawn for them along the side of the garden and if we get the extension it means pulling up more bushes and laying more lawn and i'm not sure its worth it. What does everyone think?

 

Thanks for your help!

Kay

[Chickvic]

Hello Kay and welcome to the forum

Mine have never bothered to attempt to fly over our six foot fence at all, and we have compost bins and recycling bins in the garden. I think after a little while they come too attached to the food and treats. The guy from Omlet clipped their wings when he delivered the birds and eglu.

Yes - they poo everywhere and a lot of it! I think you will need to get some fencing up and give the chickens their own bit of garden!

I had 3 girls in the standard run with no problems. I do let them free range every day usually from about 4pm until about 10pm at the moment. When it was very dark over winter they didn't always come out and they were fine, I hasten to add I wasn't told they needed a converter/extension. If that's what you've been told then I would order one. I wouldn't worry about laying any more lawn in that bit because they soon strip it of grass anyway.

 

It does sound a bit daunting to start with but they are worth it! I wouldn't be without chickens at all now. They make amazing pets

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hi Kay and welcome to the forum

 

Do you have to clip their wings - can they actually fly? We have a child proof garden with 6ft fences all around but do have compost bins, benches, a shed etc which i suppose could be used to jump up and over? Would they try this in your experience?

They tend to hop, skip and jump rather than fly . Mine have never tried to get over our 4ft ish (with a bit of trellis on top) wall and haven't worked out that the compost bin would mean they could get over the Omlet netting . Your garden will undoubtedly be interesting enough for them that they'll be happy staying there. I agree about the lawn - if they have unlimited access to it, they'll just eat it all and scratch it up. You could let them on it for a treat .

 

Also i hadn't really thought of the poo issue until reading on here - I plan to let them free range in the garden every day - do they poo everywhere? I have 3 very young children and one who eats everything he comes across...I hadn't considered this. What is your experience?

With 3 small children I would definitely consider netting an area off. I used to let mine freerange and there was poo everywhere . I now have them netted off (see my signature link) and it's brilliant - I don't have to poo pick and can walk about in my bare feet if I wish . There are cheaper alternatives to Omlet netting but it is very good quality if you can afford it. Sometimes people sell off part of their netting (that's how I got mine). This might still be available .

 

Also we are getting 3 , and only the standard run is on order at the moment. I got 3 hens and the standard run and within a month had ordered the converter. They got out early morning for a bit and for a couple of hours in the evenings but I felt they were quite constricted in the standard run. If you order the converter now, you'll save on the P&P .

 

Thanks for your help!

Kay

[Chickendoodle]

I would also reinforce the poo issue. I had no idea that chickens coud produce so much. I would not let them free range where there are going to be young children because they wont be able to avoid it and it sticks like crazy!!!! Mine were also getting up on the garden table and covering that in poo so we are now very glad that they have their own designated area!

 

I do think that some of the photos shown on the site can be a little misleading when you first start keeping chickens- they nearly always show the Eglu on a lovely patch of green lawn. Yes it can look like this but only for a day or two (maybe if you had a huge lawn you would be able to move the Eglu enough to keep it all green but in an average suburban garden there is just not enough lawn) That's why these threads are so invaluable as you can learn from others mistakes and experiences.

[filbert1]

Hi all,

 

Thanks ever so for your replies. Especially re the poo issue!

 

We are going to order the run extension tomorrow!! That way, I don't have to feel guilty if they have to stay in all day sometimes, and can let them out to free range a little less and only under supervision meaning a little less poo everywhere hopefully (including over the childrens clothes)!

 

Thanks again.

Kay

[KarenW]

Hi,

 

Sorry to butt into your conversation but i was just browsing for info and noticed that Karen W just got 3 chickens, and an eglu and lives in Leicesershire. I live in Leicestershire and have just ordered 3 chickens and an eglu! They are coming on 11.08 and i just have a few questions really.

 

Hello! Looks like you're getting the same choice of chickens as me too! What colour eglu? Would be funny if we got all the same

 

I think the others have answered all your questions and I reckon it's good you're getting the convertor too - it really increases their space. My 3 seem happy in the run, though they do love coming out and causing mayhem in the garden They do do a lot of poo, but so far the children haven't got it on them (I have a 2-year old and a 4-year old) and we try and pick it up every couple of days.

 

Are your kids excited?

 

Karen

[filbert1]

Hi Karen,

 

We are getting a green Eglu, what colour is yours? The kids are very excited - constantly talking about names for them, none of which I am particularly fond of! I have a 5 year old a 3 year old and a 16 month old, so its good to hear that your 2 haven't got covered in poo yet, it did put me off for a few days the thought of that! But now I have ordered the converter I won't have to feel bad if they stay in more because they poo too much.

 

Where abouts in Leicestershire are you? We are near Coalville area. We went to the Ashby Show on sunday and my youngest absolutley loved the chickens there, so he will be very excited when they arrive. I'm just hoping he doesn't bug them too much chasing them etc!

 

Kay

[KarenW]

Ah, we've got a red one! The choice was between red and green

 

We live near Coalville too! Didn't make it to the Ashby show, didn't even know it was on, which is a shame, but I was doing the Race for Life in Leicester on Sunday anyway, so probably couldn't have made it.

 

My little boy named his chicken Penny, after Penny in Fireman Sam and my daughter named hers Dianne after one of the nursery nurses at her nursery! Bless them William's was going to be Percy at one point, he really didn't 'get' that they would be girls!

 

Karen

[filbert1]

Hi Karen,

 

What a coincidence! We live in Donington Le Heath - don't tell me you do too?!

 

I made the mistake of attempting to guide my children into choosing names saying they could choose something they really like. My 3 year old daughter is now suggesting 'make up' for hers. My eldest son is insisting on a boys name, even though they are girls, he is going to pretend it is a boy... And my youngest currently has a limited vocab, with Ninnie being his favourite word. So guess what his is going to be called?!

 

I saw your pics on another thread - it looks great. It looks like you have the converter on the run do you? Have any of them started laying yet?

 

Kay

[KarenW]

Not quite, we're a couple of miles up the road in Bagworth It's a small world!

 

Yes, we've got the convertor and it really increases the run space, so is well worth it. No eggs yet, but Penny has started squatting sometimes when we go to pick her up, which is meant to be a sign that they're coming into lay and she's also looking quite red around the face now, so we're hoping for one any day Not quite sure what we'll do with the hallowed egg - it won't go far split 4 ways

 

Could you suggest a 'princessy' name to your daughter - Belle/a or Aurora or something?!

 

K