StripeyFeathers Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 I'm on the verge of ordering an eglu as we've reserved some ex-batts to be collected at the end of the month. I've been reading the forum posts and so far today have assertained that: - My hens will get horrible parasites that will make their way into the house on my dog, move into my bed and start eating me, H and the kids alive unless I get the place fumigated on a regular basis. - My hens will fight and tear chunks off each other and will then stop laying eggs because of the aforementioned parasites - My garden will be covered in horrible runny curry-like poo's. And the positives are???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 You'll have hens, and beautiful eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-real-tinkerbell Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 you will get the best tasting eggs you have ever had you will never be lonely in the garden you will have less slugs in the garden to name but a few Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 They're Fab, they have they own personalities; they are Fab for stress where they scratch around without a worry in the world other then where they’re dinner is!! Emma xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 You'll laugh every day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 I think the problem is this is a great site with a lot of info about what can go wrong, doesn't mean that it will. Don't be put off - hens are fabulous pets and you will really enjoy them. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Well it's good to see you are fully aware of all the dreadful things that could happen to your chooks - forewarned is forearmed and all that! But in all seriousness, whilst this forum is brilliant for advice on how to cope with problems such as parasites, egg laying and so on, it's important to remember that people rarely post to say they don't have a problem, so for every post you see about red mite for example, there will be plenty of people who don't have that problem but they don't post to say so! If it's any help, I have never had a problem with red mite (so far, touch wood) let alone bugs in my house or bed My girls have picked up lice but that was easily treated with anti-mite spray. The only reason they have stopped laying eggs is because they have been moulting, which is perfectly normal. The curry poos are only 1 in 10 (approx) and quickly disappear in a downpour or with a spray from the hose, should you choose. The positives are: The best eggs you will ever eat The most entertaining pets you will ever have Giving a home to hens who would otherwise be destined for slaughter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Tasty eggs Love from them hours of entertainment and knowing you have saved lives. Also parasites will be there if you do not clean and maybe in summer so just keep an eye out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StripeyFeathers Posted August 4, 2010 Author Share Posted August 4, 2010 Thanks! I was joking.....kind of! I forgot about slugs. If my hosta's are anything to go by we must have hundreds. We used to have a friendly hedgehog that came in and sorted them out but he seems to have disappeared. I'll bet hens eat hosta's too don't they?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Hens eat just as much plant matter (or more) as slugs do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 My hens don't eat the hostas but they don't eat the slugs either I love seeing my large garden put to good use. The chickens love it and really bring the garden alive. They are very comical to watch and there is never a dull moment out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Thanks! I was joking.....kind of! I forgot about slugs. If my hosta's are anything to go by we must have hundreds. We used to have a friendly hedgehog that came in and sorted them out but he seems to have disappeared. I'll bet hens eat hosta's too don't they?! Not necessarily..my two have wreaked havoc by digging dustbaths but they haven't really eaten every plant in sight. think they prefer the meaty side of free ranging- just so long as the slugs/snails aren't too large..(they like them young and tender ) I have not yet had a problem with lice or red mite They are endlessly entertaining..just making them do the chicken run thing is worth putting your hand into the mealworms for I can guarantee you will wonder why you didn't start keeping chickens ages ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 not at all! every 12 months or so I get re addicted to this site and have kept chickens for about 5 yrs now! but normally everything is fine and I dont have time to post. my only warning is that they are addictive! We started with 3 and at one point had 18 we now have 9 chickens and 4 ducks! Go on order it! what colour are you getting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 HiStripeyfeathers. Ex batts were our first hens and we totally fell for them. Well cared for they soon develop into independent, feisty comical characters. I say independent but Boris our ex batt is the first to sprint across the garden as soon as she hears the door open. She sees off the dogs and totally stands up for herself. She's in the kitchen as soon as you turn your back and is by far the most tame of all our ladies. She's more than 3yrs old now & still fit and healthy I love our eglu too, easy to clean & disinfect if you feel the need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterwren Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 I am a newbie to chicken keeping and something I have always wanted to do. I have had my three ex battery hens for three weeks now. Although they havn't settled into layng yet, I am having so much fun watching them. They free ranged for the first time today and watching them kick up all the dirt and run around like loonies was the best feeling! The first few days were a little difficult as I was monitoring poos, amount eaten and drunk, worrying why they were reluctant to come out (think strict ward sister type behaviour)! But I have settled into a nice routine of cleaning and checking, the girls are happy and loved for the rest of their days. Soooo... if you are thinking about it ... go for it. Yes you will worry but that will fade. You will have saved the girls from a horrible situation and gets some lovely eggs and laughter in return. If something does come along like red mite or anything else - you will know the best place to seek advice and tackle it IF it comes along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 You'll laugh every day That's exactly what I was going to say!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StripeyFeathers Posted August 4, 2010 Author Share Posted August 4, 2010 Thanks all. I'm really looking forward to getting them. I think it will be fantastic for the kids too. We ought to be used to the odd creepy crawlie in this house - we have 7 cats & a dog! Funnily enough we started off with a couple of cats & got addicted! I have strange visions of hens following the cats through the catflap! My H used to work for the company that make indorex so we have a few cans around just incase we get an outbreak of biting critters. This forum has helped us loads actually, H grew up with chickens but I hadn't a clue & have learnt a lot from Reading other peoples posts. I just know I'm going to end up with a cube & a WIR but H would take some persuading on that score! I started work on the area where the eglu will go today, it's a large weedpatch at the moment so needs a lot of work (maybe I should have just left the hens to clear the weeds?!) Our lawn has been trashed by the dog running all over it & trying to dig it up so any dustbathing would probably go unnoticed! Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmberSky Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 I hate having to go down to the bottom of my garden every day and collecting those little brown hard shelly things and then having to cook them and the ones i dont eat having to sell them to my friends. Also its so annoying to see them come running to me when they see me, what do they want from me! Sometimes i have to pick them up and their feathers feel so soft its annoying, and then i have to watch them sometimes especially in the summer scratching around in my garden and playing so happily, how very dare they. I hate keeping chickens i started off with 4 and now have 14 so i can see why you can be put off from keeping them. I will not have another single chicken! (i normally buy in pairs lol) There is some sarcasm here somewhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomeena Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 Not to say how chickens keep you fit. I have never been a morning person but, for the last year have been rushing up as soon as the sun comes up to let the girls out. In the winter I dont like the cold, but sit outside in my thermals with a flask of hot choc, just so the foxes dont get near my hens while they FR. Havent had one single cold in this time and if I feel low the girls soon cheer me up. All this and a supply of fresh eggs. Chickens are the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 In the winter I dont like the cold, but sit outside in my thermals with a flask of hot choc, just so the foxes dont get near my hens while they FR. Somehow I can't see myself doing that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 You will totally fall in love with them - and just think what all that poo will do for the hostas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
