Kenno Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 I got my sparkly new Eglu classic for christmas and I'm nearly ready to get me some chickens! I've found a local (ish) food supplier so I've bought Layers Pellets, Corn, Grit, Hemcore, Red Mite pouder, some disinfectant stuff, Verm-X and Poultry spice, and I've placed an order with Omlet for some other bits - Run converter (hoping to get 3 chickens, so assume that's best?), cider vinegar, more disinfectant, bokashi bran, winter shade, Diatosomething earth (not going to attempt the spelling!), chicken tonic and citricidal. I was going to leave the run on grass for now, but after reading through the forum for weeks, I think I'll keep it on woodchip, so I need to get that from B&Q. I've some decking wood left over to use to box it in. I was worrying about making a dustbath, but again the forum has led me to beliieve it's probably not worh it as they'll only make their own! Next step is to decide where in the garden to site it. I want it close to the house, but negotiations are under way with wifey! Oh, and I might need to buy some chickens too! I'm on the Wirral and I think there's a breeder in Frodsham, and I've heard there's a farm much closer with chickens currently for sale so I'll give them a try too. Not sure what chickens I want (better leave that for another post!). Anyway, how are the other new christmas chicken keepers getting along? And, to all of the pro's - have I missed anything?! Any recommendations/advice will be gratefully received! Thanks, Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Sounds like you're all set to go . Re having your run close to the house, you can see from my signature how close my run is to the house - with no problems whatsoever and actual advantages (you can chicken watch and don't have far to go!) Even when I had an eglu and run it was just as close . Keep us posted on your new arrivals . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 My thoughts exactly! The original plan was to have it in the far corner of the garden, but you wouldn't be able to see it at all from the house. So far, I've negotiated to have it halfway down the garden in view of the house, but I doubt I'll get it any nearer than that! Do I need to watch out for siting it near trees/bushes/plants etc? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mabelandflosmum Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 An eglu can get very hot if it's in direct sun for most of the day in the Summer (remember Summer?) Putting it near a tree may help to shade part of it, or make sure it has a shade, I add an old rug to the standard eglu shade. I love having my chooks near the house so I can watch them when it's raining or cold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 Ah yes, I remember summer. That's when it rains instead of snowing isn't it?! At the moment, it looks like it'll be in the shade of a large bush thing and part of the run will be covered by it. Hope that's ok for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Wow, Kenno, sounds like you have all bases covered, thats some shopping list A dustbath might still be a good idea though, because at this time of year they may not get out as much to create their own baths. A small washing up bowl with dry compost and sand with some of your diatom in it would be good. I have one of them and a couple of old tyres i use for their spa treatments Oh, and of course you do know that piccies are compulsory on here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 Doh. And there was me thinking I'd stopped myself going OTT by not bothering with the dust bath! I'll pick up some sand and top soil (don't think anything in my garden will ever be dry!) and a tub or something when I get the woodchip/bark for the run. Pictures will be along as soon as I've got something to take a photo of! I want to buy chickens right now, but the Omlet delivery with all my extra bits won't arrive til 7th Jan, so I'll have to be patient for now . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 No need to go mad Kenno, I got a washing up bowl for £1. from sainsburys and filled it with some used dried up soil from an old pot out the greenhouse. i bet your so excited waiting to get your chooks, I know i was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 If you're planning on keeping your chooks on woodchips you may well find that they dustbathe in the woodchips when the ground is wet/muddy/frozen - mine certainly do! I have a cover over the run to keep out the worst of the rain and snow and my girls seem to quite enjoy dustbathing in it the when the ground outside is bad. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Ta. How well does the winter shade keep the rain out? I've ordered that and the extension shade too, but will I need to go for shower curtains too?! I'm starting to worry about the fences and walls around my garden now too. I thought as long as you clipped their wings you wouldn't need very high fences, but I've just read a lot of posts to the contrary! I had a quick look round the garden just before with this in mind, and all I could see were launch pads into the neighbours garden (steps, bird feeders, trees etc.)! I might have to do some severe chicken proofing! Or are their certain breeds of chicken that aren't likely to escape? Hmm, actually, need a bit of advice about which chickens to get so I'll start a new post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Personally I'd not buy the extension/winter shade and get a shower curtain instead ... its cheaper and means you can see inside the run as they are clear, the other option is clear corrugated plastic to keep the run dry. I'd move the launch pads away from the fences, but they tend to stick to your garden, could you put some trellis/netting on top of the 4ft fence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I agree, the winter shade is more useful for keeping the sun off . I used to have corrugated plastic sheets which were great. I also had trellis on a 4ft wall which they never attempted to get over. Here's a photo which shows my old set up - with corrugated plastic and trellis (and coincidentally, snow too ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Hi, you could make base with decking (or cheaper outdoor wood) and put it on wheels like this http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=43282&sid=dcfa6071539d74073940d3a08fdaf818 We now have 2 such constructions on our patio H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 My run is just outside the kitchen, we have a 3ft wide path between the run and the kitchen window, so I can wave to the chickens while I am washing up ( and I do ) Also very handy for collecting eggs, when it's chilly or wet you don't want to be running down the garden to fetch eggs or shut/open the pop hole. If you have foxes in the area it may also give you peace of mind to be able to see the run from the house - but be careful if you have an outside light - ours used to shine straight into the coop, several times I had rather bemused looking chooks stood on their ladder at 11.30pm cos OH had switched the light on to go out to the workshop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 they will want a dustbath - the only thing that stops mine sprinting up to me for treats is when they're having a dustbath so clearly it's very important to them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 2, 2010 Author Share Posted January 2, 2010 Thanks. I can probably put trellis or chicken wire etc. on the shorter bits of the fence. Fortunately my neighbour seems quite keen on the idea of chickens so that shouldn't be a problem, and I might just fence off the other side by the steps with the Omlet netting or something similar - hmmm, mind you, how tall is that anyway?! I'm liking the decking idea - it'd be a great excuse to use up some of my wood! Mind you, mine would just be on top of grass anyway, so might not be worth it? Could it just encourage rats/mice if I had it straight on the lawn? I'll keep an eye out for some corrugated sheets for the roof, but I've ordered the Omlet covers already, so I'll have to see how I get on with them? Do you leave the dustbath in the run for them? or is it best to make one out in the garden? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikey Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Hi Leave the dust bath in the run for when they aren't free ranging.....trust me they will make their own in the garden Rats/mice are more interested in the food....you just need to put it away on an evening ...I've got metal bins which I keep it in.....but I guess like any decking they could get under it and nest....however chickens do eat mice Good luck.....what type of chickens are you going to get?? Bet you can't wait for Thursday.....I'm getting my new Go eglu delivered too on that day. Don't 4get the photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I might just fence off the other side by the steps with the Omlet netting or something similar - hmmm, mind you, how tall is that anyway?! This'll give you an idea of the height of Omlet netting (great stuff!) I've got extra canes in which keeps it from sagging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 do they do sparkley eglus or is this a turn of phrase? I want a pink littery one please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenno Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 I was going to keep the food etc. in the garage but then I realised I've got plenty of space in a plastic chest/bench thing in the garden anyway - is this a bad idea?! Not sure if rats will be able to chew their way in. The netting looks good, and I was planning on setting up a vegetable patch, so it could come in very useful! When I first get thr chickens, do I need to leave them in the run for a few days to acclimatise, or can I let them out for a look around more or less straight away? Ok, the Eglu's not acually sparkly - well, only when it ices up overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 It should be ok in the plastic container, maybe put it in a metal bin with a lid ... you don't want it to get wet either I'd leave them in the run for a few days so they know where home is, you can still give them treats etc to get them used to you, then when you want to get them out, do it about half an hour before it starts to get dark so they come out but then it'll be easier to get them back to bed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen&Rog Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 It's so exciting getting chickies for the first time; sounds like you're very well informed and well set up already! I'm sure you'll juggle things around a bit at first as you try things out and get to know what they want to do. I've never had much success wih a man made dust bath and have had to put up with divots in the lawn (er, well by now they're more like craters..). And you'll soon get to know if they have escaping tendancies, I always seem to have one ringleader who likes to break out (I've never worked out how or where), but you'll probably find her rummaging in the vegge patch or digging up your best plants, or you might find one chirping at the back door asking for treats! As you can tell it's great fun having your own brood - enjoy!! (and watch out for Mr Fox) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
