Take part in study on PFAS 'forever chemicals' in eggs

[orp_lover]

Hi everyone!

 

Just a quick question about keeping chickens - do they need access to grass? My mother is thinking of buying a couple of chickens to house in our back garden, but we have a patioed garden, no grass. Is this a problem? We have space for the Eglu, which will be placed on wood chips, and plenty of space for them to run around in the day, but I've read that they like to scratch around in grass and have dust baths. I'm just worried that it's not a fair environment to keep chickens in if it's not going to accommodate their basic behavioural needs.

[Space Chick]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

You can buy some flexible tubs and put earth in for them to dustbath and scratch around in. Also they will scratch around in the woodchip. I would supplement their diet with some greens though, like a cabbage or broccoli tied up in their run.

 

They will be very happy I am sure. My lot don't have grass (we did have grass but they have wrecked it ) but they love scratching around in their run and in the earth in the garden

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum . I had a new lawn laid last year and don't let my girls onto it all (except for very short periods when they escape or I take pity on them ). They are happy and healthy and I don't think suffer from the lack of grass.

 

You can give them green leafy vegetables to compensate or even bits of turf (they only last minutes though ).

[orp_lover]

Thanks for your replies; that's good to know I've just noticed that Eglu's are only suitable for medium sized birds and smaller though. I really had my heart set on Orpingtons as they look so fluffy and cute, but have read that the Eglu will be too small for them. What about an Eglu cube? Failing that, what are the most friendly chickens which will be ok to have with a toddler? Took my nephew for a walk in the park today and he was slightly afraid of the geese. Poor thing!

[Falkor]

LF Orps will be fine in a cube and my three are so chilled out i reckon they would be great with kids about. They might make a big song and dance about using the ladder for a little while but they are all mouth and get used to it pretty quickly

 

The cube footprint isn`t much bigger than the eglu and I find it easier to clean as no bending down

 

You can get bantam Orps which would be fine in an eglu

[orp_lover]

Thanks for your quick reply. Are the Bantam Orpingtons good layers? Also, are the Bantam Buff Orps smaller than other colour LF Orps?

[Falkor]

Orpingtons are pure breeds so will stop laying over winter. Plus when they are laying they can be a bit hit and miss plus they are prone to broodiness so if it is eggs you are after then you may want to consider other breeds. Saying that one of my Orp girls is a great layer when she is laying

 

I only have LF and their size does vary with colour....my buffs have been the biggest and I have seen some mahoosive blues.

 

The bantams are about the same size as a light hybrid just a bit closer to the ground and fluffier!

 

If you want to see Orps up close in all sizes and colours then perhaps attend a local poultry show. It is also a great opportunity to see LOADS of other breeds too