How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[artemus]

Hi all,

 

we haven't even got the birds yet, but my little brain is already processing the application of some advice that we've read here on the forum, and in books....

 

My book says that you should shut the birds in the coop with food and water for 24 hours to brainwash them into knowing that it is their new home before letting them out again.

 

We plan on having 2 chickens in a Mk2 Eglu with the standard 2 metre run. Is the above advice more applicable to larger coops, or would it also apply to our smaller-scale venture; 2 birds, food and water all in that small space does seem a little impractical?

 

Thanks

[Space Chick]

They will be fine in their enclosed run not in the the Eglu itself. They just need to know where is safe and is home

[tom123]

If I was you I would aim to get back from collecting the birds when it is getting dark. Put the hens straight into the eglu and don't open it up until next morning. They will slowly venture out in their own time. They might need a little bit of encouragement the next few evenings but they will soon learn.

 

Good Luck

Tom

[artemus]

Thanks guys, that helps. I particularly like the suggestion of putting them in the run/eglu at dusk.

 

I've read in a different thread that quite a few never close the eglu door overnight. I gather that this would not apply initially, whilst the chickens are getting used to the idea of a new home?

[Redwing]

Its the house and secure run that they need to familarise themselves with not just the coop so they dont actually have to be shut in the coop itself to catch on that its home

 

After about a week try letting them loose for an hour or so before bed and check they return to the Eglu then shut at least the Eglu run behind them (if you decide not to shut the Eglu)

 

 

I dont shut my Eglu doors but always make sure the runs are secure and double 'locked'

 

The Eglu run is not foxproof but is fox resistant enough for me to take the chance, many dont see it that way and prefer to shut the Eglu each night - you take the choice

[docsquid]

I'm not too far away from the OP, and am also thinking about what to do on the first few days. The plan is that the chickens will live in the Eglu Cube and extended run (3 chooks) at our wood, about 1 mile from the house.

 

However for the first few days we plan to have them in our garden to ensure that they can manage the cube, the little steps, the feeders and water and so on. We don't just want to let them get on with it at the wood without being sure they can do this.

 

We go to the wood almost every day, and when we are working there they will get let out to free range, otherwise stay in the run. We realise foxes, mink and badgers and buzzards may all be an issue, but there are also plenty of other things for these predators to eat there. We will move the run almost daily so they get fresh grass to scratch. We thought this would be a good environment - free ranging quite a good bit of time in a lovely wood, although cooped up also a fair bit of the time, and without us to listen out for them at night.

 

However having read this forum at some length, I'm kinda feeling that these will be relatively un-spoiled chickens compared to some of the beautiful runs and facilities provided to other ladies. Maybe the woods won't be the best place for them after all.

 

So, should I start them off at home and then move them? Or should I plan to keep them at home all the time? The OH may take some persuading, particularly since he wasn't that keen in the first place! Plus we'd have to dig up a lot of our plants to build a WIR space for them.

 

Comments definitely welcome.

[Woodcat]

I'm not too far away from the OP, and am also thinking about what to do on the first few days. The plan is that the chickens will live in the Eglu Cube and extended run (3 chooks) at our wood, about 1 mile from the house.

 

However for the first few days we plan to have them in our garden to ensure that they can manage the cube, the little steps, the feeders and water and so on. We don't just want to let them get on with it at the wood without being sure they can do this.

 

We go to the wood almost every day, and when we are working there they will get let out to free range, otherwise stay in the run. We realise foxes, mink and badgers and buzzards may all be an issue, but there are also plenty of other things for these predators to eat there. We will move the run almost daily so they get fresh grass to scratch. We thought this would be a good environment - free ranging quite a good bit of time in a lovely wood, although cooped up also a fair bit of the time, and without us to listen out for them at night.

 

However having read this forum at some length, I'm kinda feeling that these will be relatively un-spoiled chickens compared to some of the beautiful runs and facilities provided to other ladies. Maybe the woods won't be the best place for them after all.

 

So, should I start them off at home and then move them? Or should I plan to keep them at home all the time? The OH may take some persuading, particularly since he wasn't that keen in the first place! Plus we'd have to dig up a lot of our plants to build a WIR space for them.

 

Comments definitely welcome.

 

 

If you keep them down in the wood be prepared to spend your whole life down there watching them on a more serious note. I don't know how secure it is but the cube is worth a fair amount of money and having it that far away from the house sounds like a burglars paradise and people do get burgled for their chook housing.

 

The more you interact with the chooks the more they will interact with you. I know having mine close to the house i'm always poping out and saying hallo during my day to day time with them. Having them a mile from the house you have to look realistically at how much time you spend down there not just in the summer when it's lovely but also when it's raining and cold in the winter.

 

I would find it very difficult not to be able to watch their antics when i'm pottering round the house and doing things it does lighten my day up. So personally i wouldn't however i'm not you. I would say that if you want chickens primarily as pets and want them to be really friendly then have them near your house and have a walk in run if you want them for eggs then it doesn't really matter where they are.

 

I know there are exceptions to the rule and that some chooks are just more friendly than others but the more you handle them the better they are about it

 

I'm playing devil advocate with the spending time thing becuase i honestly don't know how long you spend down

 

Beth

[Plum]

Mine were in the cube for 10 mins while I put the bedding on the floor of the run, then I opened the door and they came out almost immediately.

 

I would carry on with your plan and you will know for yourself where you want them. I suppose it all depends if you are keeping them as pets or you view them more with as egg producers but fun to be around for short periods of time. There are plenty on the forum who keep chickens away from their home

[docsquid]

Mine were in the cube for 10 mins while I put the bedding on the floor of the run, then I opened the door and they came out almost immediately.

 

I would carry on with your plan and you will know for yourself where you want them. I suppose it all depends if you are keeping them as pets or you view them more with as egg producers but fun to be around for short periods of time. There are plenty on the forum who keep chickens away from their home

 

Oh, that makes me feel better. We are down there quite frequently, by which I mean almost every day, and sometimes for the whole of the day, so they can be let out and we can watch them while we are working. We can also locate the chickens well out of sight of the road. My OH sees them as egg producers (i.e. as agricultural birds) but I will probably be very soft. We'll see how it goes, I guess. I'd hate to lose any of them though.

[Jools]

Docsquid, I think your chickens will be in heaven in their woodland setting, particularly as you're planning to keep moving them onto fresh ground. They're descended from Jungle Fowl and scratting around under trees is the perfect environment for them. Very lucky chooks indeed.

[Chicken Shirl]

Lucky little hens, and lucky people being able to have your chooks at work with you. They will just go whereever you go. Be prepared to be stalked

[docsquid]

Lucky little hens, and lucky people being able to have your chooks at work with you. They will just go whereever you go. Be prepared to be stalked

 

Thank you for all the reassurance. I suspect the OH will weaken terribly when he has a little flock following him round the wood!

 

I still think I'll keep them at home for a few days before taking them to the wood to be sure they are all OK and know how to work the superglug and so on.