What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Nogs]

Hi there,

 

I have just joined the chicken gang with a new cube and 6 chickens and seem to have horrified most of my friends who think I have gone completely bonkers or are just hankering after moving to the country!

So I wondered if anyone else has them in West London in a small garden? We also have seen a fox twice in the garden since getting them 3 weeks ago so would like to hear any tips from people in similar situation!

I am starting to think maybe I have lost the plot as I have never wanted pets and I can't believe how much I can find to say about chickens! Luckily my children are as interested as me at the moment I just hope that their enthusiasm won't wear off too quickly...

 

Nogs

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm not exactly close by but wanted to say hello and that you've come to the right place if you've got a lot to say about your chickens . Do be careful if you have a fox . You may want to invest in a foxwatch or electrified netting .

[Plum]

Hello welcome to crazy chicken forum. Guess foxes are everyones problem wherever you live (nearly). You just have to be vigilant and as ANH says get a foxwatch or electric fencing if you want them to be out if you are not watching them.

 

 

So tell us about your gang? Ages, breeds, personalities and a few pictures, better include the children as well

[Hen Watch]

Hi there, there are quite a few people with small urban gardens on this forum and loads of posted pictures too. I have neighbours both sides and back, no problems with the chickens at all. Regarding foxes, you do need to be vigilant, and I do ensure chickens are always put away in the run when I go out (even if it's just for 5 mins).

 

I am starting to think maybe I have lost the plot as I have never wanted pets and I can't believe how much I can find to say about chickens! Luckily my children are as interested as me at the moment I just hope that their enthusiasm won't wear off too quickly...

 

My kids (13, 11 and 9) are not as pro-active in chicken keeping now we are 2 years down the line. But to be honest, they are MY chooks anyway. My kids love bragging about their chooks and endless friends trot round to see them.

 

And...... finding stuff to say about chickens....... I doesn't wear off. My friends don't engage me on the subject of chickens anymore as they know I will go on for ages.

[helen1962]

Hi I am not in West London but live in an equally built up area. I have 3 rescued hens living in my garden which is only 80 x 30 feet in size. I have had them a month now and they are great! Their names are Winnie Ruby and Hilda. They have quite distinct but very different characters but all three very very friendly. They do in fact follow me all around the garden. Mine live in a chicube (big green plastic box!) I did use an 8 x 4 ft run at first but felt mean keeping them in such a small area when I had so much space. When I began to let them roam (4 days after obtaining them) I kept them confined to a 30 x30 ft patio (not ideal chicken poo everywhere). Again I felt mean so opened the gate to my main garden (my pride and joy!) I put up small green wire decorative fencing around the borders I was most proud of (chickens like to scratch about. They are not destructive as such, just untidy!) This has proved a massive success. They absolutely love it. Yes there is the risk of foxes but I am very lucky in having such high fences and an impenetrable side gate therefore so far, everything has bee ok. They also have the greenhouse to shelter in because they only go in their own house when laying (very prolific layers they are too!) and going to bed. It's quite funny watching them get ready for bed because there is always one that misses the boat. When she realises she is out on her own and it is by then quite dark, she makes a dash that the great Liinford Christie whould be proud of, to get in.

 

My hens also love little treats. They love cucumber, melon, tinned sweetcorn and their favourite, porridge mixed with water. Sometimes I will add a bit of mashed potato (with no salt or butter added though).

 

What I do advise if keeping hens in small gardens is absolute cleanliness. I clear all poo and definitely all remnants of food away every single night (keeps neighbours happy).

[Plum]

Sounds a great set up Helen lucky chickens but still beware of foxes. Have you considered a foxwatch?

[helen1962]

Hi Plum

 

Sorry but I don't know what a foxwatch is can you explain?

 

Thanks Helen

[Plum]

Its a humane fox repellent working on sounds that we or the hens can't hear -

 

http://www.primrose-london.co.uk/foxwatch-p-1722.html?source=googleads&gclid=CJT77pSq950CFdBb4wodXwRTqA

[Olly]

Welcome to you and your new chickens, they are great fun. I would just echo the advice above - 6' fences are not a deterrent to a fox, and if a cat could get into your garden then a fox can and will.

[helen1962]

Hi all again

 

 

I have had my question answered but now I need to know where to get a fox watch?

 

thanks

[jomeena]

Hi there,

Im in south london. Yes my friends think im mad too.

We got our foxwatch from a pet shop but they are online too. It dont seem to have any effect on the foxes around here so the girls only come out with me and the dog. Good luck and i hope you and the family enjoy being owened by chickens.

[Suzy]

Hi,

 

I'm also West London and have a very small garden. Even smaller when we built a 12x5ft Walk In Run.

 

I laughed when you said your friends think you've moved to the country. I get that loads, and my step daughter's friends think her dad lives on a farm.

 

Every time I go into London, I look into people's gardens along the train line and look for eglus. I've seen a few too. it's definitely not just for those in the country! (OH thinks I am quite strange doing that!)

 

We've been really lucky and have not seen a fox but we do have a foxwatch - just in case. I've seen them at the front of the house on the main road and can't take the risk.

 

Noisewise, our noisiest egg anouncer has stopped laying now so we hardly hear a thing, but all our neighbours have been great and look after them when we are away. I think free eggs help!

 

Hope you enjoy the world of hens!

 

Suzy

[Toots]

Hi and welcome along!!

 

i am slough are so west of west london. it wasnt untill i got chucks that i found out how many ppl had them.

 

there are alot of foxes here too infact we have lost one girl to a fox. I "scent mark" the garden (when its dark) and put out gym socks full of hair clippings and we havent seen a fox or scat in the garden since.

[Ness3103]

hi ya i'm in ealing i have a tiny garden which is now taken over by my wir and 4 girls. everyone thinks i'm bonkers but they all appreciate the eggs i've had no evidence of foxes trying to get into the run but a fox was seen in my front garden last night, so i'm being extra vigilant at the moment.

 

welcome to the wonderful world of chooks have you got any pics of your girls

[Nogs]

Hi there everyone,

 

Thank you for your replies. It's nice to know that I am not the only mad townie chicken keeper! I'm in Ealing so I can't say I've met anyone else with any chickens.

 

All still OK, although have seen a fox twice in our garden at night. I haven't got a fox watch where did you get yours Suzy?

 

We only let them out when we can keep an eye on them. Still only 1 laying (Pepperpot) I haven't worked out how to add photos yet! The other Gingernuts are 22 weeks ish and the White Leghorn the White Sussex are 25 weeks but not laying as yet.

 

I was looking to buy some layers mash as they don't eat much of the pellets from Omlet.

 

If any of you can recommend somewhere nearish would be grateful!

 

Nogs

 

Metallica Polly Coop Queen Amadala Bolt Birdy

 

3 children and a husband!

[Ness3103]

i replied to your other thread about pellets. i get mine from The Horse House in Northwood, they're getting more chook stuff in now as more people are getting chickens in the area

 

i'm in ealing too so you're not alone

[Suzy]

Hi,

 

I'm an internet shopper - I think I just bought it online after googling it.

 

I only have ex-batts and I feed them ex-batt food, which I also buy, online.

 

I am sure there is a probably an equestrian place near you, failing that Pets at Home , (who I personaly consider the Tesco of the Pet Shop world), sell a decent chicken range, but at least you can get things in emergency if you need to.

 

Hope that helps...

 

Suzy

[Toots]

My local pets at home sells layers pellets

 

My girls are quite fond of porridge made from the pellets. (warm water with pellets turns them to mushy porridge)

 

When it snowed last year they especially enjoyed it to warm them up in the morning!

 

Toots