Sooo much pooping

[chirpie]

Hello

I am thinking of getting a couple of hens for our garden partly as pets but also for eggs. But I have lots of silly questions before making a decision so hope someone can help!

Firstly am thinking of bantams or silkies (small garden and for the pet aspect) - where would I get these breeds (live near banbury)? I havent been able to find any suppliers online. Would other breeds be just as friendly to handle?

Do the chickens need to be let out of the run every day or will they be happy just having the space of the run most days? (if I was to put them in a classic eglu and run with 3 of the above breeds).

When Im away for the weekend for example does someone need to shut them in the eglu or can they be left with access to the run and house area for a couple of days?

How often would they need cleaning out?

Anyone know what it costs roughly to keep a couple of chickens (food, mite powders, wood chippings if keeping run in one place etc... - have struggled to work it out)

If wanting very friendly chickens should I get them as chicks rather than point of lay?

Are rats always a problem? We live in a very rural area and I am quite concerned about this as have small children playing in the garden.

Are they very smelly?

Grateful for any advice..

[squidsin]

Hello! I've just got two pekin bantams (from Surrey Poultry near Woking - sorry, don't know any breeders nearer to you) and they are in a and there's so much space for them I am actually thinking of getting one more. My two are adorable and really friendly. I've only had them since Sunday, and no eggs yet, but hopefully soon as they are point of lay - probably just a bit stressed by the move. I live in London and have a small garden, and I won't be free ranging them all that much due to work/fox issues, and also because I have a toddler son and don't want a lawn covered in poo (although the poo issue is not as bad as I'd expected, perhaps because of my chooks' size) so I definitely think bantams are a good choice as they are teeny and docile and loads of fun. Hope that helps!

[Redwing]

Hello

I am thinking of getting a couple of hens for our garden partly as pets but also for eggs. But I have lots of silly questions before making a decision so hope someone can help!

Firstly am thinking of bantams or silkies (small garden and for the pet aspect) - where would I get these breeds (live near banbury)? I havent been able to find any suppliers online. Would other breeds be just as friendly to handle? Pekins make lovely pets, Wyandottes, Silkies and bantam Orpingtons are all nice. Luci at the Birdhaus in Brackley does bantams but often sells out before she can get them to adult size!Do the chickens need to be let out of the run every day or will they be happy just having the space of the run most days? (if I was to put them in a classic eglu and run with 3 of the above breeds). 3 bantams would be fine in an Eglu and run

When Im away for the weekend for example does someone need to shut them in the eglu or can they be left with access to the run and house area for a couple of days? they will be fine in the run with plenty of food and drink

How often would they need cleaning out? weekly for the Eglu but empty the poo tray twice a week in the summer, rake the run over weekly too and do a big clean once a month Anyone know what it costs roughly to keep a couple of chickens (food, mite powders, wood chippings if keeping run in one place etc... - have struggled to work it out) see below

If wanting very friendly chickens should I get them as chicks rather than point of lay? Anytime from about 10 weeks is fine, even if you get adults they are easily tame-able Are rats always a problem? We live in a very rural area and I am quite concerned about this as have small children playing in the garden. If you take a few measures to avoid tempting them then you wont attract any more than someone with a bird table, taking the food in at night or using hanging feeders makes a huge differenceAre they very smelly? they can be yes, main culprits are spilt food souring when it gets wet and wet bedding, both can be avoided by covering the top of the run in wet weather, I use shower curtains but corrugated plastic sheets look neater. In the summer keep the poo tray cleanish and rake the run over and that should be fine, bedding such as woodchips in the run (as opposed to plain grass) keeps smells down, some people use horse beddings such as Aubiose or Hemcore but you must have the run covered in any wet weather if you use that

Grateful for any advice..

 

Costs:

 

Set up costs

 

Cost of house and run, feeders etc.. £100-1000!

Woodchip - 2 bags £4.50 a bag (dont use bark)

Wood shavings or similar for nest box £8 per big bale, £3-5 for small bale from pet shop

Bag feed £7-10

Poo tray s"Ooops, word censored!"er £3 or free if you pinch a wallpaper stripper from the toolbox

Diatom/red mite powder - £7-10

Poultry Sheild - disinfectant and cleaner £10

 

Those are the basics and should get you up and running. I'd say that running costs will be less than £10-£15 a month with big purchases like more red mite powder being £20 every six months or so

 

Of course you will do as we all did and spend an absolute fortune setting them up with every lotion and potion known to man though

[scarlettohara]

I started off with 3 in an eglu 6 weeks ago, I now have 6, a cube and hoping to get 2 columbines soon They cost very little day to day but if you need the vet that is when it gets expensive - I have a good chicken vet (chicken owner)who only charges the childs pet consultation. I have 2 terriers and 2 cats so no problems with rats, as others have said don't leave s"Ooops, word censored!"s around.

 

I adore my chooks and wish I had got them years ago - I would recommend them to anyone

 

Oh and everyone on here is so helpful and friendly