Chrissie218 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Hi there, Me and my husband moved into a Derbyshire village last year and after much preparation we collected our four fabulous (if a little dishevelled) ex-battery hens from York on Saturday. I've been afraid one might die after hearing the stories, but so far so good, although I'm watching their every move. If one of them so much as sits down or closes her eyes, my heart skips a beat. I never knew it would be so stressful for me, never mind our poor little hens! So far we've had 6 eggs. My chickens are called Gloria, Gretchen, Ba-Ba (My grandson named her) and Marilyn. I'm already smitten and spend hours running up and down the garden to see what they're up to. I'm back in work tomorrow and I'm dreading leaving them. It's been raining here ever since we brought them home. They seem quite happy to potter around getting muddy, but they do have some shelter provided by the trees. Here's to a long and happy chicken/mum relationship. I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions of you experienced chicken-keepers over the next few months! Bye for now Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Welcome to the forums Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayemerton Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi there My name is Kathleen and I recently joined this Forum as I am looking into getting some chickens and loved this very user friendly and informative website by Omlet. We live in a semi detached house in a semi rural location in Essex and we have a nice corner of the garden under the Lilac tree which has sleepers all around it and currently filled with bark which was going to be used as decking area, however I am thinking it would be perfect area for chickens! I am a Primary teacher, have a 2 year old son, a border collie and 2 guineapigs and my other half works away in the week so things can get quite lonely! So it would be good to get to know people and get some advice on the whole world of chicken keeping. I would be particularly interested to hear opinions on keeping chickens on a permanent base such as woodchip as we wont be able to keep moving the run-rather let them free on the garden when we are there. And would love to hear if any of you have Bantams and whether they make good chickens for a small garden. Anyway enough of my rambling, look forward to getting to know people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hello Kathleen Welcome to the forum! Your garden sounds really nice I looooove Border Collies! A lot of people here keep their chickens on woodchips and in a permanent location, myself included . If you have any queries or anything like that make sure you come over to the appropriate section of the forum and post about it, we're all happy to help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Welcome to the forum Kathleen Sounds good to me too. Bantams would be great for a small garden, but you might get broodies and not many eggs so might want to start with hybrids. I'm sure however many you start with, you'll soon want more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slotcarpaul1973 Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hello and good evening Hi my name is Paul this is the first forum ive ever joined dont know where to start apart from saying Hello! Ive been keeping chickens at home in the garden for about 18 months and would like to share my experiences ask questions and get to know new people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Welcome to the forum Paul . Ask and share away . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayemerton Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Thanks Lewis and ChickenLover. I have spent far too long on here already!! Yes I have been reading up about some of the bantams getting broody-although been reading on here about the Sussex Bantam too which seems rather nice. Please feel free anyone to pm me with pearls of wisdom although no doubt you will see me on a lot of the Forum threads soon anyway asking lots of annoying questions! Lewis, I see you are studying Vet med at Aber? I nearly went there but ended up here in Essex at Writtle, I did a degree in Equine Science. Now I teach Primary children-go figure! Nice to meet you all Kathleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 hello Paul *waves* cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hello Paul, welcome to the Forum, hope you enjoy it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi Paul, You have been keeping chickens for about the same length of time as me...I've learned so much from the Forum....everyone is really friendly and happy to share advice and experiences....welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hello Paul! ! This was also the first forum I joined... I daren't join another forum in case I end up with a post count like I have on here! It's really nice on here, everyone is lovely. I hope to be seeing you round the forum some more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hello - good to meet you The forum is a great place to chat - you'll soon be as addicted as the rest of us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hello and welcome - whatever your question - you always seem to find someone to give you an answer on here, everyone is so friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi Paul, welcome from me and my girls too, I've found everyone so friendly and helpful here and I've learnt a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I'm Jen, and I'm about to get an Eglu classic & some hens. The eglu with run (2-year-old, previously-loved green model) is arriving tonight, run extension on Friday, and we're going to pick out some hens from Widgets Farm (http://www.widgits.co.uk/) on Saturday. Yay! We may get some ex-batts in future but we want an 'easy' start to our chicken-keeping, so we're getting some healthy, well-adjusted, well-handled POLs for now. My partner Richard and I have never kept hens before but we've been reading & researching for a few months now, trying to decide on coop/breed/numbers etc. Now we're finally looking forward to actually getting the ladies this weekend. We live in London, but we're lucky to be in a small building with only 8 flats and a HUGE communal garden. Neighbours hardly use it and they are all happy with the idea, and looking forward to some egg-sharing. I'm a tad nervous about having them in a shared garden but hopefully all will go well. We do have one slightly barmy and unpredictable neighbour but we'll keep her sweet, and I'm sure the chickens will win everyone over I have some (okay, quite a few!) questions but I'll save them for the chicken-keeping forum. Nice to 'meet' you all. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayemerton Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hi Jen Nice to see someone not far from me in Essex and also starting out. Will be interested to see how you get on with your setup and the shared garden-great idea though, a nice way to get to know the neighbours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hello Jen Great to meet you! Good luck with your new hens when you get them, (and make sure you take lots of photos to show us! ) I'm a fellow Londoner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 HI Jen and welcome to the forum. I got my 3 latest girls from Widgets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Welcome to the forums Paul + Jen Lewis, I see you are studying Vet med at Aber? I nearly went there but ended up here in Essex at Writtle, I did a degree in Equine Science. Now I teach Primary children-go figure! I'm doing Animal Science at Aber We're in with the Equines for a few modules so now I know who to ask when I'm stuck Still don't know what job I'll end up with ... hopefully chickens rather than children, haven't got the patience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twaceywoo Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 hi everyone, my name is tracey. i have recently got 4 black sultans, 1 boy/3girls, the girls all lay well and now 2 are sitting on nests...so ill need lots of advice at this trying time! i have never had chooks before but i love them theyre sooooooo funny and friendly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Welcome to the forum Charlie (Laura + CTB) loves sultans so make sure you post some pictures Good luck with the eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickat Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Hi Omleteers, Just joined the forum awhile ago, although I made a few posts elsewhere.... I didn't see this topic before today. Like all the newbies here I am happy to have chickens, in need of information---and I have found lot's of good advice here--- so thank you to those who post your wonderful answers.... We live in Texas in the USA. Have 1 cat, 2 Australian Cattle Dogs, numerous 'Beefmaster' cattle and three CHICKENS! And yes, I am obsessive about the chickens. Hello members... hope to encounter you in the topics on the site as time goes by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Hello there, welcome to the forum. What are Australian Cattle dogs? Is it a function or breed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickat Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Hi Plum, Australian Cattle Dog is a breed, developed in Australia. They combined a herding dog with the native Dingo to be able to withstand the brutal climate. They supposedly have some Dalmation in their lineage too. Our dogs are about 30 and 35 pounds, strong, compact and close to the ground so when they nip at the heels of a cow, and the cow kicks, the kick misses and goes over their heads. They are famous for their intelligence. Other names for them are 'Blue Heelers' and 'Queensland Heelers'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
