JillJ01 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hi there, I have ordered an Eglu Cube with 3m run and four chickens... never kept chickens before so on the one hand I am thinking "Oh my, what have I done " but on the other hand I'm quite excited, and I know husband's looking forward to having a brood in the garden . Our son ( knows nothing about what is to happen, and I imagine the cat will be a bit peeved to begin with! Anyway, reading lots about what to do to prepare, and wonder if you'd be kind enough to give me a summary list of: > food they should have > medicines they need > what plants/veg/fruit they do - and don't - like, so what may survive unscathed in the garden > any particular do's and don'ts Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hello, welcome to the forum! We've all been through that 'what am I doing moment' but trust me, once your Cube and chickens arrive, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner! A useful list of things here but don't rush to buy anything, you will have all you need for the first few weeks, and you won't need everything on the list. My biggest 'Don't' would be, don't be too soft on them! Hens can (if you let them) ravage your garden and rule your life - it's fun feeding them treats, but don't overdo it especially in their first week, and don't feel you have to let them free-range all the time, they will be fine in the run. Most of us on here think that getting hens is one of the best things we've ever done, and I hope you'll think so too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillJ01 Posted March 30, 2010 Author Share Posted March 30, 2010 Thank you Olly - that's a really useful list. It's the anticipation that's causing the nerves, on a countdown until the Cube arrives (24 April) and we see what happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hi and welcome I'm sure you're going to have a wonderful time with your new girls and there's always plenty of advice here on the forum to have a nose through (will give you something to do while you're patiently waiting ) Chickens are their own little personalities and you will soon find out what their fave foods are - I would recommend always having a few grapes to hand though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Welcome from me too. I was as nervous as anything when I got my girls and did say to the lovely Omlet man that I'd changed my mind I think they're used to people being worried. Two years on and I love the girls to bits and I can't imagine not having chickens at the bottom of the garden. The forum is excellent for all sorts of information, not only about chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hi there, I have ordered an Eglu Cube with 3m run and four chickens... never kept chickens before so on the one hand I am thinking "Oh my, what have I done " but on the other hand I'm quite excited, and I know husband's looking forward to having a brood in the garden . Our son ( knows nothing about what is to happen, and I imagine the cat will be a bit peeved to begin with! Anyway, reading lots about what to do to prepare, and wonder if you'd be kind enough to give me a summary list of: > food they should have > medicines they need > what plants/veg/fruit they do - and don't - like, so what may survive unscathed in the garden > any particular do's and don'ts Thank you! Welcome to the forum. Have a rootle round in the FAQ section, the answers to all your questions will be found there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hello JillJ01 and welcome to the forum. Don't worry, I felt the same. Ordered the eglu and then wondered if I'd done the right thing. They are really easy to look after, loads of fun and I still enjoy looking after my lot after 3 years now. I will warn you now though............ you will spend the first month they arrive worrying about them constantly, I did. It felt like having your first baby all over again, not sure what to do etc..... But don't worry, help is at hand here on the forum for anything you need to ask. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Oh yes - I'd forgotten that feeling. For the first few weeks I was convinced my first two girls were going to die, due to my total inexperience of looking after chickens. I used to tiptoe up the garden after work in the dark to check they were both in the Eglu, and hurry up there in the morning before work to make sure they were both still clucking, Now they get a cursory glance at food and water, a lettuce chucked in, and a few harsh words if there aren't any eggs! How I've changed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I can even remember when I didn't like to pick them up in case they broke! Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hi Jill and welcome to the forum Just read through this and it has really brought it back to me how exited and worried i was too. Every little thing i wondered 'is this right' is that right, should they be doing that. Dont worry, you will fall in love with them very quickly and any little worry you have come on here and someone will always be around to help you or just put your mind at rest. So relax, be exited and look forward to your new little bundles of joy Oh and photos are compulsory on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillJ01 Posted March 31, 2010 Author Share Posted March 31, 2010 Thank you I will post photos of our ladies when they have settled into life chez nous. We're now discussing names, although one will have to be named by our son. Feeling excited today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 You'll have one interesting name then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 You'll have one interesting name then Naaah, it'll be something like Snowy or Patch I have a hen called Dizzy and bunnies called Hunny Bunny and Cupcake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Hi and welcome to the forum. I agree with what the others have said. I wold also add that you could maybe think of attending a short (only about an hour) chicken keeping course before the girls arrive. Think there is a section on the forum where you can find someone offering them local to you. I went on one before I got my girls and found it very informative and was able to buy food etc from them so I was already for when they arrived. Have loved every minute since they arrived. My OH was not convinced at first, but I catch him quite often now at the bottom of the garden talking to the girls Oh yes, should also mention that "chickens are addictive"!!!!! - we are getting more in a couple of months!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillJ01 Posted April 23, 2010 Author Share Posted April 23, 2010 Well, after a manic month at work and not really thinking too much about our pending purchase, I looked at the calendar on Monday and did a little because tomorrow the Cube and chickens should arrive! Only husband and I still know (and our respective work colleagues - we had to tell someone!), so son is going to be excited tomorrow when the Omlet van appears! I *think* we are ready.... No names as yet, I'm sure we'll come up with something suitably in keeping with our family penchant for giggles... flowers are appealing at the moment, although they'll all end up being given nicknames (by me)... our butch male cat gets called Blossom and Pudding on quite regular occasions Aaaaanyway, roll on tomorrow Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 A sleepless night ahead Jill! All the best for tomorrow and welcome to the forum by the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Good luck! Son will be very happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Good luck for tomorrow (and for getting a restful night's sleep - like that's going to happen ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Good luck for tomorrow, its so exciting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 and we expect photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Ohhh very exciting day for you tomorrow and reasonable weather promised for it I think.... I hope everything goes smoothly ...you are going to feel sooo pleased with yourself for making the decision to keep chickens..and once you've tasted a newly laid egg..well there's no going back! Looking forward to seeing the photos... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Welcome to the forum. How eggciting, don't forget to charge the camera. Getting chickens was one of the best things we have done Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captaincollins Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 welcome, everyone on here is really lovely and bewarned chickens are so additive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillJ01 Posted April 30, 2010 Author Share Posted April 30, 2010 Hi! Sorry I haven't been back, it's been a busy week at work, at home and also with getting an allotment after a year on a waiting list! Our ladies arrived with their Cube last Saturday. We have all settled in OK; they know who brings the PSB after school/work! We have, I think, been very lucky have had one or two eggs a day since Sunday, certainly not what we were expecting. Mojo the cat is adjusting nicely as well; it's quite funny watching him watch them and chatter to them. The ladies have duly been given names, the first two by us grown ups, the other two by our son. They are Amy ( ), Rose ( ) - both named after Doctors' assistants; Pecky ( ) and Poppy ( ) Suffice to say the nice tidy layout has been updated to suit the chickens' preferences... you'll probably see what I mean when you look at these pictures and then know from experience what happens with the floor of the run! We're all really happy we have chickens in our garden. We will be letting the ladies out on Sunday/Monday, once we have finished putting up the mesh fencing to raise the height a bit more. I imagine they are going to go a bit mad at being let out... and Mojo (if he comes back during that time) will be in for a bit of a surprise! Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Smashing Jill, lots of lovely digging in there. You could try putting some lawn edging around the walls to stop it spreading further. I have mine kept in place with bricks but tag tyes work well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
