Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Marky D]

Hi all, excellent website, been an avid reader for many moons, just joined as we are thinking about delving into the unknown world of chickens and obviously have many stupid questions to ask. Going to try and book a course this month (anyone near Wakefield doing them) nearest we've found is Chester (prepared to travel though, it's only an hour or 2).

Going to start small (very sensible i hear you mutter), 3 chickens, first question is poo......how much.......how often.......smell??? 2nd question..... essentials.....what are they? (please dont say coop lol). 3rd question...is there such a thing as low maintenance chicken (i.e suitable for newbies) or are they much the same to look after? Rats....will cats see off any potential vermin risk (we have one cat who has more friends than us, always 2 or 3 in garden) we are presuming from what we've read the cats wont bother the chickens?!?!

Think thats enough for starters.

Thanks for reading

[Slim]

Poo = LOADS!! (but a hose gets rid of it!) all day and not much smell

 

Essentials = Feed, grit, feeder/drinker bedding (this is personal choise) deal with other stuff when you come to it!

 

Low Maintenance = Most are low maintenance however hybreds I find are better.

 

Rats = You won't get rats if you keep the garden clear of food!

[Mrs Kettle]

We have 3 chickens. Prepare yourself for lots of poo, some of which will look and smell like curry sauce, but cheer yourself with the thought that it can all go in the compost heap.

 

Essentials: I'd say pellets, grit, diatom (powder which can be put in bedding and which helps protect against lice and other beasties), wormer (I use Flubenvet) on a three monthly basis. Others will have more suggestions, but I'd say start small and then buy what you find you need.

 

Rats: we live very close to the high street and there are lots of rats around. We have our own rat exterminator in the shape of a very effective tabby cat, but even he can't keep the population down on his own, so I tend to take action if there is visible sign of rats (droppings, holes, sightings of actual rats!) around the chicken coop and run. By which I mean that I put poison down in areas where I'm sure our chickens and cat can't reach (under the eglu, behind the compost bins) but I'm sure that rats go. You should always take food in at night to discourage rats, and clear up spillages.

 

Good luck! - you won't regret it.

[Henhathnofury]

We had two cats - one who went outside and one who did not. The one who went outside would watch the chickens. Eventually he would then come in with us to their enclosed area - standing in amongst the middle of them while they fed. Neither species was stressed. Another cat came into the garden and the chickens saw it off. Generally, unless they are bantams - chickens can look after themselves. Saying that, it is always best to observe a cat's behaviour just in case it does get aggressive, for any reason.

 

Our cat disappeared sadly nearly two years ago and the chickens looked out for him for ages. It was very sad.....

[Olly]

Welcome to the forum! We've all been in this 'shall I, shan't I ... can I really keep chickens in a back garden ... what if ...' dilemma, and as you'll gather from the enthusiasic posts on this forum, most of us find it a lot easier than we expected and love having our chickens.

 

Poo is copious, but it makes fabulous compost - I have two tips for this, (1) powdered garlic in the feed will reduce the smell considerably, and (2) aubiose, hemcore or similar horsey bedding makes it much easier to keep clean, keeps the run dry, and breaks down easily in the composter. If you have too much for your garden, you'll find local gardeners or allotment holders will probably love to take it off your hands.

 

The basics are shelter, food and water - there are lots of other things you can buy, but you don't need them immediately. If you're a novice then I wouldn't suggest you get ex-battery hens (although some people have had them and coped fine with them) because they sometimes need a bit of extra attention, but otherwise chicken-care is much the same whatever the breed, unless you get something like a Poland with a funny hair-do.

 

I've not had a rat problem - rats are probably around you anyway, and yes if you have chicken-food out they may be attracted to it; they are just as likely to be eating from your neighbour's bird-table however, or the takeaway rubbish that has been thrown out of someone's car. There are ways of, er, dealing with them.

 

A hen party is a really good idea, or you could try the 'Visit an Eglu' thread to see if there's anyone nearer who could show you their hens? Good luck, and do ask any questions you have - we're full of advice on here!

[Marky D]

Olly, excellent idea thanks, can see there is a few eglus near us so will try arrange a visit.

Been thinking about getting chickens for ages but really nervous as it's a big step and there seems so much stuff you need to know. Going to make a list of the things suggested needed and start pricing things up.

Thank you all.

[Marky D]

Oh and Slim, i have your chicken cam on my favourites at work, excellent viewing lol

[Redwing]

Its a shame I am so far away as you would have been more than welcome to spend a weekend morning here - I've got more chooks and poultry equipment that you could play with than you can shake a stick at

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum . Can't really add to the excellent advice above but wondered if you'd seen the Shopping list for Newbies?

 

One more thing ... you won't regret it . The hardest part of chicken keeping is deciding whether or not go ahead and worrying if you'll cope! You will .

[Chicken Licken]

Bokashi bran is great because it makes the pooh much firmer and smaller and composts more quickly as well - just add a handful to pellets or mash

[beulah59]

I'd second the garlic powder - really helps with the smell. And a powder disinfectant (I use Stalosan F) to use once in a while on the ground/woodchip/whatever you have on the floor of their run.