What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Isabel]

Hi All

 

I'm nearly new to chickens ... house is on order and am trying to sort out my chooks. I'd love some advice, please, about a few things.

 

Firstly, breeds. I think I'm going to start off with 3 (or maybe 4??!) chickens. A few phonecalls to local breeders later, it turns out that it's too early in the year for POL but I ought to be able to get chicks of around 8-10 weeks, depending on breeder. That's fine. Or at least it was until I read that some breeds don't mix well together. I'd thought about a RIR but don't think I can get one (well, I can but the guy has at least 200 and tbh I'm worried he's just too big IYKWIM) but can get a New Hampshire Red. Only problem is that that breeder, who sounds really nice, knowledgable etc, won't sell a single so I'll have to take a pair. To go with the RIR or New Hamp, I'd thought of Light Sussex (maybe a bantam), a Pekin and have also read good things about Bluebelles (that's where the 3 chickens become 4!). I can get 3 breeds from the 200 chick guy but like I said I'm worried about him - maybe unnecessarily. Can I put a breed such as a RIR/New Hampshire in with a couple of bantams and the Bluebelle? Or will the bantams be bullied? Are there any other breeds that might mix well? I really do want some which are docile (read very docile) and also (I know none are) but least destructive in the garden.

 

They will pretty much free-range - house will be surrounded by elec fencing .. have 50m of that on order so they should have enough space, I think.

 

I've ordered diatom and Poultry Shield. Should I get Stasolan too and spread it on floor of house whenever I s"Ooops, word censored!" poos off?

 

Also, this is a really silly question ... do you even attempt to pick the poop up of the grass? Shall limit them to one area of large garden but if I let them 'out to play' I don't really want the 4DC plodding through chicken poop! If you don't pick it up, does it get washed away quickly with a good shower of rain?

 

Think that's all for you but look forward to being educated in the art of chicken keeping! Thanks for your help!

 

Isabel

[scarlettohara]

Whereabouts are you ? I have bought 6 POL chickens in the last 3 weeks so don't understand about it not being the right time of year ? There is a list of places to buy chickens in 'About Chickens'

[Guest]

have you thought about rehoming some ex battery hens? They were our first chickens and they are such a joy!

 

We got a bluebelle and a black rock later on plus 2 plymouth rock banties then more ex batts.

 

I can honestly say that the ex batts are by far the more pleasant tempered of the lot, friendlier, more inquisitve, gentler sweeter natured etc.

 

Hubbie and i are agreed that we will only have ex batts in the future.

 

You could get the equivalent hybrid from a breeder if you're not sure about caring for ex batts, just ask them if they have any ginger chickens

[Isabel]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in N Ireland and 3 breeders have told me the same thing about it being too early for POL.

 

Not that keen on ex-batts at the moment as I have read and realise that they'd probably be nervy at first ... ?

[mabelandflosmum]

To answer your poo question, I find a good blast with the sprinkler end of the hose pipe washes the poo nicely away into the grass and takes no time.

[Isabel]

Thanks Mabel - that sounds like a great idea!

 

Would like some advice on mixing breeds please if anyone can help. Have spent the evening trying to narrow down my options.

 

Think it's along the lines of:

 

A) 2 x New Hamp Reds from Breeder 1, mixed with hopefully a Light Sussex Bantam from Breeder 2 and a Pekin from Breeder 3

 

B) 1 x RIR, a Light Sussex (not sure whether Bantam or Large fowl) and a Bluebelle from the breeder with loads of chicks

 

C) Ring Breeder 2 and get him to go over what he can offer again!

 

Heavens, I'm so confused. Can I mix large fowl and Bantams??

 

I'm sorry, these are such silly questions but I'm driving myself nuts

[ValerieR]

I only have bantams and I gather they do less damage than big chickens to the garden (stands to reason really!) and their poops are smaller. Still quite sizeable though!!

 

Some are of a consistency that could be washed into the grass with a hose and others are more ... solid.

 

I have only had mine a very short time and already there are quite a lot of poops around. I can't be bothered going out and hunting around for poops to collect. It doesnt matter too much though as my son plays football in a different bit of the garden so it is only me that steps in it when I go to hang out the washing! I suspect my back garden will soon resemble a farmyard! (Ask me if I am still laughing in a years time )

[ValerieR]

PS

My light sussex bantam gets along fine with the 2 pekin bantams. I gather some people mix large hens and bantam but they don't often sleep in the same place? Pekins are teensy tiny even compared to the sussex bantam.

Folks who keep both LF and bantams will be along soon to advise I'm sure.

[Isabel]

Thanks Valerie ... I'm really looking forward to the pooping!! - Not!

 

They will be sleeping in the same henhouse. That's going to be a problem isn't it? My husband can't believe the fuss over a few chickens I really seem to be limited in availabilty of breeds. Grrr.

[ValerieR]

I don't know if it will be a problem or not I'm afraid. However at the breeder I got mine from the bantams were kept in beside big chickens (silkies and polands) and it was fine according to him. Best of luck! I look forward to hearing what you decide! I should say I bought mine which are POL within the past couple of weeks. Maybe your breeders have just sold out.

Val