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

[juttley72]

Hi I am receiving my cube on monday. I want white star and sussex but can only purchase from different breeders as they don't have in stock. Would it be okay to do start my flock in this way? I have never kept chickens before. Any advice would be greatfully received.

[quickcluck]

hello there!

 

I should think this will be fine as long as they are of a similar age. They are going in on a level pegging as no will have been there long. There will of course be a little bit of argy bargy but thats to be expected.

 

Are you getting more that 2 chooks?? if so will they all be coming on the same day??

[annettec]

We were new to chickens too and wanted two Hybrids for eggs, but my daughter set her heart on a Silkie which the Hybrid breeder did not have.

We picked up the two POL Hybrids and popped them in a box and then drove about 20 miles and picked up a Silkie we sourced from another breeder and popped her in the box with the Hybrids all went well no problems !

 

Good lock and enjoy !!!!

[Egluntyne]

As long as they are of a similar age and size they should be fine.

[The Dogmother]

I've often done this and they've been fine. the usual bother about who is going to be in charge, but nothing else to report.

 

Coincidentally, I was asked the same question at the weekend, my answer was that it was best to shop round first, ask the breeders to leg-ring any that you're interested in, then collect them the same day.

[juttley72]

Cheers for the messages. Thinking of getting either 4 or 6 chickens. Possibly 2 sussex stars, 2 white stars then not sure whether to go for ranger, speckledys, brown or gold links or black stars. What do people think of other breeds to go for?

What other bits do you recommend I buy along with my cube.

Cheers for the advice

Sally

[The Dogmother]

AHA! There's a shopping list here

[Henhathnofury]

I have a beautiful little Gingernut Ranger who I love to pieces. She has never been ill, lays an egg every day even at two and a half years old and is always full of beans. I am fond of the Amber Stars too. Oh dear, it will start me wanting/thinking about more chickens!

[Ms Tilytinkle]

Hi Sally

Well in my humble opinion I'd go for the 6, infact if I was just starting off again I'd go for 9!!

I did exactly that, bought 3 Pepperpots from Omlet which arrived with the cube & as he was erecting the cube I disappeared to pick up the other ladies which were a nice mixture, a speckled Fenning Cou Cou, Mendlesham Blue & Mendlesham Amber. ( I now have a Heritage skylark who lays lovley Greeny/blue eggs. My white chook lays white eggs - so we also have a nice selection of different coloured eggs.) Together all creating a beauootiful colourful flock!. Browns, Grey, Black, White & Speckled . I then kept all the girlies in their boxes until the cube & run were finished, hemcore laid, water , pellets in their grubs etc. The door was then closed on the nesting box & all the chicken were gently popped into the cube I left them 'nesting' for around 2 hours then opened the cube door slowly & watched in absolute awe as they discovered and ventured into their new surrounding all together as one group, neither knowing who was there first as they all descended together They all got along well & bonded immediately. I 'homed' them in their run for a month I think before free ranging fully... but I think it can be done in less time than this - it was my fear not theirs!!

 

I also bought from Omlet to be delivered at the same time ( one postage cost) the x2 grubs & x2 glugs, Pellets, Mixed Corn , the Poultry Spice, Bokashi Bran etc etc etc .( I bought the Hemcore separately ready to put in run) Red Mite Powder & Mealworms.

 

Then sit back pour a drink & enjoy

 

Ms Tillyjustcutthehedges,madelotsofheapswithallleavesandnowthechookshavejustforaged

ineverysingleheapscatteringallcutleaveseverywhereGrrrrrrrrr

 

(started this ages ago but just taken a phone call sorry if i'm repeating all already said)