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

[maryannlucy]

First off, this is going to have a lot of questions, so if you make it to the end, thank you....

 

We have a very small garden 8m x 6m including borders and a concrete path, and I have ordered an eglu with 2 chooks coming in a couple of weeks. Most of the time the girls will be in the run, as we work and I don't want to leave them roaming all day without someone in the garden. We don't have room for a WIR. Will this be ok for them? Are we doing the right thing?

 

Also, having read through a lot of posts it seems that chickens can be a lot of hard work, which I don't mind, but is this the case, am I naive to think that they are fairly easy to keep (there seems a lot of talk of mites, rats, foxes, oh and chook noise versus neighbours etc).

 

If we do go ahead, is it preferable to move the run and eglu round everyday, or to position it on bark chippings? and if we go for bark chippings how is this cleaned? Does it need to be replaced and if so when/how often?

 

And, 2 sides of our garden are high walls (very high), one is a 5ft fence separating us from the neighbours, and the other side is a 5ft fence separating us from the street. We have seen foxes very rarely at night on the street, am I liable to find a fox actually in the garden during the day?? Can they actually get in, and what about my cats??

 

And finally (for today) I have ordered the eglu pack - eglu, girls, food etc - what else should I get in ready? worming stuff? red mite stuff? vinegar??

 

All advice will be very welcome - I feel as if I am getting cold feet, is this normal?

[Barkisland]

First off, this is going to have a lot of questions, so if you make it to the end, thank you....

 

We have a very small garden 8m x 6m including borders and a concrete path, and I have ordered an eglu with 2 chooks coming in a couple of weeks. Most of the time the girls will be in the run, as we work and I don't want to leave them roaming all day without someone in the garden. We don't have room for a WIR. Will this be ok for them? Yes! Are we doing the right thing? Yes!

 

Also, having read through a lot of posts it seems that chickens can be a lot of hard work, which I don't mind, but is this the case, am I naive to think that they are fairly easy to keep (there seems a lot of talk of mites, rats, foxes, oh and chook noise versus neighbours etc). No!

 

If we do go ahead, is it preferable to move the run and eglu round everyday, or to position it on bark chippings? and if we go for bark chippings how is this cleaned? Does it need to be replaced and if so when/how often? Not certain about this one as I'm lucky to have a WIR, but I think it's considered best to put slabs or a permanent concrete base down and cover with bedding or chips. An expert will be along shortly, I'm sure!

 

And, 2 sides of our garden are high walls (very high), one is a 5ft fence separating us from the neighbours, and the other side is a 5ft fence separating us from the street. We have seen foxes very rarely at night on the street, am I liable to find a fox actually in the garden during the day?? Yes! Can they actually get in, and what about my cats?? Urban foxes are a HUGE problem, they are very brazen and surprisingly athletic, so please make sure your girls are secure whenever you are not directly supervising them.

 

And finally (for today) I have ordered the eglu pack - eglu, girls, food etc - what else should I get in ready? worming stuff? red mite stuff? vinegar?? I went overboard buying allsorts for my girls, but all I've really needed is Purple spray for wounds, some bumpa bits for persistent peckers, Diatom (multi purpose) powder, Flubenvet for worming, and some red mite powder (as a preventative).

 

All advice will be very welcome - I feel as if I am getting cold feet, is this normal? Normal to be excited and slightly anxious, yes. But don't worry, you're going to love them!

Edited July 31, 2009 by Guest

[Space Chick]

 

We have a very small garden 8m x 6m including borders and a concrete path, and I have ordered an eglu with 2 chooks coming in a couple of weeks. Most of the time the girls will be in the run, as we work and I don't want to leave them roaming all day without someone in the garden. We don't have room for a WIR. Will this be ok for them? Are we doing the right thing?

I would try an give them supervised free-ranging when you are home, but they will be fine in their run

 

Also, having read through a lot of posts it seems that chickens can be a lot of hard work, which I don't mind, but is this the case, am I naive to think that they are fairly easy to keep (there seems a lot of talk of mites, rats, foxes, oh and chook noise versus neighbours etc).

They are easy to keep, but can be a little noisy at times (egg annoucements usually) but 2 should be fine. As for mites, I use Red Mite powder in the cube as a precaution. Rats - if you bring the food in at night you should be fine, foxes I'll come back to

 

If we do go ahead, is it preferable to move the run and eglu round everyday, or to position it on bark chippings? and if we go for bark chippings how is this cleaned? Does it need to be replaced and if so when/how often?

This is a personal preference really. A lot of people will go for a permanent spot to protect the rest of their garden. Can't help with Bark Chippings as personally have not used them

 

And, 2 sides of our garden are high walls (very high), one is a 5ft fence separating us from the neighbours, and the other side is a 5ft fence separating us from the street. We have seen foxes very rarely at night on the street, am I liable to find a fox actually in the garden during the day?? Can they actually get in, and what about my cats??

Foxes WILL get over the fence, never underestimate them, and they can come day or night, hence why I recommend supervised free ranging. Your cats will be fine, with both foxes and chickens. My cat tried to hunt the chooks for a few days but now is great with them (and a little scared after a few pecks!)

 

And finally (for today) I have ordered the eglu pack - eglu, girls, food etc - what else should I get in ready? worming stuff? red mite stuff? vinegar??

I'd get red mite powder, flubenvet wormer, some mixed corn and apple cider vinegar as a good start. Although over time I also have limestone flour, Bokashi Bran, cod liver oil, poultry spice, poultry tonic liquid, daktarin gel...... The list goes on and on!!

 

All advice will be very welcome - I feel as if I am getting cold feet, is this normal?

Prechook jitters is very typical, I had them myself but can honestly say its been a fabulous decision, I've increased my flock and have some ex batts coming too!

 

Hope this has helped

[Staffordmum]

Ditto to all of the above ...

 

Keep reading the forum - use the "search" facility if you feel awkward. Someone's bound to have asked the same, if not similar, previously!

 

Yes, it's hard work - but oh so very rewarding The girls are brilliant

 

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Kind rgds,

 

Pat & Steve.

[bluekarin]

 

We have a very small garden 8m x 6m including borders and a concrete path, and I have ordered an eglu with 2 chooks coming in a couple of weeks. Most of the time the girls will be in the run, as we work and I don't want to leave them roaming all day without someone in the garden. We don't have room for a WIR. Will this be ok for them? Are we doing the right thing?

I would let them out either supervised or temporarily fence off an area

Also, having read through a lot of posts it seems that chickens can be a lot of hard work, which I don't mind, but is this the case, am I naive to think that they are fairly easy to keep (there seems a lot of talk of mites, rats, foxes, oh and chook noise versus neighbours etc).

they are easy to keep, but as with all things you do need to keep them clean, including their water as I find my little madams make theirs rather mucky One of mine is quite vocal, but I'm not sure if thats egg announcing. I think its more to do with seeing our neighbour gardening and she is asking 'got any worms there gov'nr?'

If we do go ahead, is it preferable to move the run and eglu round everyday, or to position it on bark chippings? and if we go for bark chippings how is this cleaned? Does it need to be replaced and if so when/how often?

I have a run, which if need be can be moved. I wouldn't move it everyday. I also wouldn't use bark chippings as they get fungus growing on them. If you can get wood chippings they are much better

 

And, 2 sides of our garden are high walls (very high), one is a 5ft fence separating us from the neighbours, and the other side is a 5ft fence separating us from the street. We have seen foxes very rarely at night on the street, am I liable to find a fox actually in the garden during the day?? Can they actually get in, and what about my cats??

Our cats after the initial ooh whats that paw at the bars, now get chased up the garden when the girls are out, poor things. We have a tall fence; about 6 ft at its highest and Cocoa would be seem up there deciding if the grass was indeed greener on the other side. And indeed it was as they had eaten all of ours! I've not seen any evidence of foxes in our garden, but thats not to say there aren't any. So be vigilant

 

And finally (for today) I have ordered the eglu pack - eglu, girls, food etc - what else should I get in ready? worming stuff? red mite stuff? vinegar??

I've got red mite powder, flubenvet wormer, limestone flour, poultry spice and Stanslan (sp?) F

 

All advice will be very welcome - I feel as if I am getting cold feet, is this normal?

I would say its normal. I was very nervous before we got our three. I was imagining red mites taking over the run, egg bound chickens with sour crop etc etc. But *touchwood* all seems okay. I've had my girls since Oct last year. My chook house is a wooden one, and *touchswoodagain* no sign of the dreaded red mites

 

Good luck and enjoy having chickens in your garden

[teri]

i think its all been answered i use wood chippings but i have a walk in run. i poo pick regularly and rake it through, although the girls are constantly doing this for me as well!

I do move my smaller hutch and run around about once a week. this is a tempoary set up fo my chicks and broody. it gives them a fresh bit of lawn and allows the old bit to recover before turning into a bald bit!

good luck with it, once you have a routine sorted they are great pets!

[maryannlucy]

So much info, thank you so much.....I have a list of things to get, and am now excited about the girls arrival. It is good to know that cold feet are normal. DH is still very keen, and I am really if I had to admit it, and knowing that I have you guys to ask for advice/help/knowledge/share chook stories with is very comforting to know - I will tell the girls when they arrive that I have an army of people at our disposal who know what they are doing, so they can relax knowing they are not entirely at our mercy.