jsbates65 Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I have decided to get my hens through Omlet as the RedStar sound like they will be better layers. (Then I can better validate to my roomie the keeping of chickens.) In the US. . .when ordering chickens with the Eglu, it seems the only option is to get de-beaked chickens. What experience do you have with this? Does it hurt the bird? If you got birds from Eglu that are "debeaked" what is your experience? THANKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Hello from across the pond! As far as I am aware, Omlet hens are not debeaked in the UK. Mine certainly weren't. It is a procedure very much frowned upon over here, and I think it is used only in commercial flocks as a general rule. I don't know if it hurts the bird, probably not is my guess, although it can't be an enjoyable experience but it can compromise their ability to eat and to groom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 From my understanding, it is commonplace in the States, although as Egluntine says, it is not something we like to see over here. Have you tried sourcing your hens from a local breeder? They might well be able to supply hens with entire beaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsbates65 Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 I ordered the Eglu today and should have it in a few days. I did find a local place to get my chickens so I don't have to worry about them being shipped and de-beaked. Very excited about that. . .that was the one thing that held me up getting chickens. The local place has day-old chicks, a few pullets and some older hens needing homes. . .so I'm going on saturday to pick my two girls. Although day olds might be cute & fun. . .sounds like a lot of work. So as long as the older birds are ok with human contact. . .I'm going that route. This may change once I meet them. . .but I'm considering the names Rosemary (as in R. Baby) and Clarisse (Silence of the Lambs). I look forward to visiting with each of you as I learn about the keeping of chickens. I'm so excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Great news I'm so excited for you. You're quite right - day old chicks need a lot of care (don't they Lesley?) and it's best to hatch them with your own hen so that she brings them up and does all the work for you. Mother nature knows best. I'm looking forward to seeing some photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 A huge welcome from me & my girls Great names by the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Welcome to the forum JS and good news about your chickens! maybe when you go and look, you might get 3??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 or perhaps 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 See what we're like? We just don't know when to stop! I started with just two...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 don't get two! get three! sometime in the future one of your hens will pass away and the remaining chook will be desperately lonely. If this should happen at an inconvenient time of year it might take weeks or even months before you can get another. I would get three now, of differing ages. I just picked up my third today however many you go for... I hope you'll all be very happy together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsbates65 Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 Actually I would be totally fine with the possibility of 3 chickens. . .my one question. . .Does the Eglu accomodate 3 full grown hens comfortably? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsbates65 Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 If I get a 3rd. . .her name will be Pandora. OK . . .I will get a 3rd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 (edited) The Eglu will accommodate three comfortably.....but if they are to be confined to the run for long periods, you might want to consider a run extension, just to give them a bit more space to wander about. I love the names you have picked.....very unusual. Keep in touch and show us some pics of your girls. Edited March 14, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Hi Yes, the run will keep 3 chooks - but better if you can let them out for a bit. And We used to have 4 then 8 then 12 (but lost 3) so have 9 and two bantams and are getting some ex battery hens (probably 6 or BE WARNED!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 ummm........... and I started with 2 as well ..... and now we have over 50 If you are going to have a run extension - then I'd go for 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Oh great news Just to answer your question that de-beaking is very painful, the beak has nerves so it is both traumatising for the hen and painful. it can also affect feeding and not heal properly. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 I remember that one of the hens at the Devon rescue had a twisted beak where it had been trimmed clumsily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Welcome JS I would definately get three, they are quite happy in the eglu. We started with three, now have six within 5 months of getting the first three and now i want to move to the country! There should be a scientific name for chicken addiction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 There should be a scientific name for chicken addiction Alektorophilia presumably Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Here's an excerpt from a kiwi chicken forum: Originally Posted by LadyShea livius, you need help, honey. Alektorophilia might be treatable. If loving chickens is wrong, I don't wanna be right. I'll echo that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Great quote Claret! Welcome aboard JS - pictures of your new additions when they arrive please!!! Yes i started with 4 ex-batteries and i intend to get 4 more, then another 4, then another 4, then...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 I can see OH moving further down the list Em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
