Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[Isabel]

Oh, I'm so excited - after months of procrastinating, I've got the henhouse coming tomorrow and the chicks on Saturday

 

Does anyone have Brahmas? What are they like? I've found what seems like a really nice/good breeder, who is keeping me a New Hampshire Red and a Buff Orpington - both 5 weeks but feathered and out from the heat. She has gold Brahmas the same age or lemon Brahmas which are only 2w and I would obviously have to wait for. The Omlet breed guide gives Brahma's a good review. My breeder says her lemon fowl are friendlier and happier to be picked up than the gold - but the gold aren't unfriendly - will still eat out of her hand but just not as cuddly as the lemon. Does anyone have any words of wisdom please? Looks wise, I think I prefer gold to lemon.

 

I'd also like a couple of Pekins - chiefly for the children. The same breeder has 2w old Pekins and will, if I want, hold 2 of those for me until they're ready. Our henhouse is a six hen house, and I'd plan to put them all together. Breeder thinks this will work okay if I put the Pekins in first night when all are dozy or if I construct some sort of a barricade in henhouse for the first few weeks so that the chicks can see one another but just not mix. If that's the case, can they go out together during the day?

 

Finally (and sorry this is such a long one!) ... I've 50m of electric fencing. I imagine that, at first, we won't need an area that big for such little chicks. Is there a means to put the fencing up to cover a much smaller area? The man said not to leave it rolled but to double it back on itself. Has anyone done this, and if so, could you please explain it to me!

 

I'm also a bit worried, having read the other elec fencing post and links, that our ground is bumpy and uneven (it's a field) but that's something for me to puzzle out over the next few days.

 

Thanks a lot for taking the time to read and hopefully someone can give me some info re brahmas and fencing.

 

Isabe

[dixie chick]

Everything I have read or heard about Brahmas has been positive! I haven't actually got mine yet either but I have ordered a Dark Brahma from Wernlas - simply because that was the only colour they breed. The adults they had there looked so gentle and matronly - and seemed quieter than the ones in all the pens around them. Good luck for Saturday!

[Redwing]

Brahmas are lovely but there is a heck of a difference in size between Pekins and Brahmas

 

5 weeks is also young to be outdoors and small enough to get through the net so keep them in the run until they are bigger and be prepared to shelter the run in bad weather, I honestly do think that they'd need to be indoors but off heat for a few more weeks though

 

I dont mean to rain on your parade but there is a lot to consider there. The breeder sounds lovely - see what they say about it all and if in doubt reserve the chooks for collection later down the line

[Isabel]

Thanks Dixie & Tasha for your replies.

 

Tasha ... I'm worried too that the chicks are too young to be out. The lady said that she has them out in a small run during the day and indoors at night, although not under heat. She did say that she would put the bulb on if there was a frost. Hopefully we're past that now. I've to call her on Friday so I'll have another chat with her then and grill her about it.

 

Re the size difference. Maybe Brahamas aren't the right fowl to go alongside Pekins. Maybe it's either Bantams or LF. I've tried to get advice on it - and you'll know so much more than me as I don't even qualify as a beginner chicken keeper yet . Some people have said it might not work - others have said that with careful introductions, it might. I'm really torn. Do you, or does anyone else, have any further advice. I wonder if there are any Omlet-folk who successfully mix small and large fowl.

 

My plan is that they freerange but, like you, I think that 5w is def too young for free-ranging and that they need a smaller run in the meantime. I'm going to rig something up on Friday that we can use inside the elec fencing. So whatever I put together needn't be predator proof but just needs to be somewhere small and snug for the chicks.

 

Thanks for your patience and answering some silly questions!

 

Isabel

[Redwing]

If you got them all as youngsters I doubt you would have problems as chooks that grow up together seem to be more tolerant of size differences. As adults I'd say def dont mix them but as youngsters its worth a try, just be prepared to separate them if you have to

 

Maybe a consideration would be Brahma bantams instead? In saying that Brahmas are laid back and its likely to be the Pekins that cause chaos

[Isabel]

Thanks Tasha. Haven't had a chance to speak to the breeder yet as have had problems this morning ... grubs in field where chicks will be living. This means we have to spray the field and then keep livestock off it for 14 days (to be safe I'll be keeping chicks off for 3 wks) - grrrr! I've now got to talk nicely to my husband to see how he feels about them being on the lawn for a few weeks - if they're that small, I imagine they won't do too much damage.

 

I've been thinking (and thinking) about their size - what about if we put them in the garage at night in a dog crate (suitably bedded, of course) and then in a small run during day with shelter under henhouse and access to henhouse. The weather is just so cold at the moment, I'm worried about them already. Do you think that might work.

 

Re the Brahma. I'm rethinking her. The breeder also has Buff Sussex - I love the light Sussex and know another breeder only 6 miles from the first, who has Light Sussex. So maybe one of those might be better than the Brahma.

 

You know, sometimes dwelling on something for too long just makes it all the more confusing

 

Isabel

[Redwing]

I've been thinking (and thinking) about their size - what about if we put them in the garage at night in a dog crate (suitably bedded, of course) and then in a small run during day with shelter under henhouse and access to henhouse. The weather is just so cold at the moment, I'm worried about them already. Do you think that might work.

 

 

Perfect plan

[JS1]

Hi, I've an electric fence and keep the excess rolled with no problems. Also have very bumpy ground, so we found we had to order at least double the amount of poles (we find the ones for horse fencing better than the ones which came with the fence). We also use plastic tent pegs to pin down gaps.

 

Hope that helps

[chickyhazel]

if they're that small, I imagine they won't do too much damage.

You would be surprised!

[Isabel]

Have just postponed them for a week or so - so they'll be nearer the 7 week mark. Feel better about it and now need to organise a run for them as we won't be able to use elec netting in the field for a few weeks due to needing to spray it. Thanks for that info re the netting, JS1 - the guy who sold it to me said I couldn't leave some rolled around the post as it would lose power so it's really reassuring to know that you don't have any such problems.

 

Thanks again everyone for your advice - I really appreciate it ... I've now got another week to read and learn!

 

Isabel

[chickyhazel]

Good luck