CAMPYLOBACTER: Anyone else had it?

[Marky D]

Hooray, we have got our very first chickens today (sorry guys, decided to just get 2) a Sussex Star and a Blue Star from Hinchliffe'sin Huddersfield. First impressions..... wow they can poo lol but are lovely hens.

We have a cat who does like to catch little birds etc and having read reports in this forum was under the impression he wouldnt be a threat to them (and so far he hasnt been), however when he saw them in there run he was straight in stalking mode and tried to get at them (which they didnt like much), i am worried of what will happen when we let them loose in the garden!!! Any ideas?

Also, what time should i try get them to bed tonight (sorry if that might sound a bit rude, wasnt meant to be!!), will they go when it's dark or should i be shooing them upstairs earlier!!

 

Thanks, Mark.

[frizz]

hi, everybody seems to have different experiences with cats, my cat is a bengal so part wild cat, and whilst he doesnt try to catch them he does go into pounce mode and chatter, then chase them round the garden, the fully grown pekins just run away and flap a lot, but I wont let the younger ones near him as I am sure he would catch them. If they are larger breeds, you should be okay, I did have some warrens before the pekins and he didn't chase them as much as they would peck at him.

 

As for bedtime, I am new to chicks too so cant offer you an expert answer but so far mine have all taken themselves off to bed at dusk, but I kept them in for a couple of days so they knew the arc was home, now they just take themselves off just before dusk.

 

Hope this helps and good luck,

[Aimee]

Hello

 

Welcome to chicken keeping! I also bought mine from Hinchliffes - I've been away for three weeks and didn't know they'd started doing business again after the fire. That's good new as I'm pondering adding to my lot at some point...

 

Regarding the cats - don't worry at all. The chickens won't like them much but the cats won't get them. I've three master hunters and they are intrigued by the chickens but are no match - the noises they make and the flappy motion when the cats get near stops any attacks (and they have been known to catch a seagull in the past...). Mine now resort to a lunge at the chickens every now and again, or hiding in the bushes to jump out at them but without serious intent. If ever there was, I'm sure one peck would have them running. I left mine in the cube run for a few days before letting them out under supervision. I keep mealworms to hand if I want to return them to the run quickly.

 

As for bedtime, not sure if it's good practice (I read a lot of different opinions) but I leave their bedroom door open halfway all the time and they sort themselves in the evening and morning. At the moment mine are taking themselves up at about 9.30 so if you need to help them that might be a good time.

 

Good luck

[Marky D]

Hi Aimee, Hinchliffe's have opened a temporary farm shop and have full compliment of chickens for sale, they are hoping to have everything up and running again in next few weeks. They have some lovely chickens there.....and lots of them lol.

The lady we saw was very knowledgeable and very friendly / helpful, would defo go back if we get anymore.

Just watched a neighbours cat come in garden, looked very interested when he saw chickens but once he'd wandered over and saw them properly he changed his mind and was off, hoping mine loses interest just as quick!!

[sezra]

Hi Mark,

 

I had the same worry with my cat. He is a real hunter, we have had baby rabbits and all sorts in the past!

When we first got the chickens I think he thought that his christmas and birthday had all come at the same time. I was petrified when they were in the garden together. Although in a way it was quite comical. He would stalk them and then just when I started to panic he would kind of roll over in a defeated, their too big, kind of way! Although he has looked like he was going to attack he never has and now he just ignores them completely. I am sure it will be fine but maybe for the first few times they are out together keep an eye on them until you are happy.

 

The huge amounts of poo took me by surprise aswell!

 

Good luck with your girls!

 

[CatieB]

Hi please don't worry about the cats. I have three serious hunters and they looked like they were set for a feast when the girls arrived. They would hide on top of the eglu shade stalking the girls ready to pounce and follow them hiding in the long grass waiting...

 

I pleased to say they have never got near the girls though as the girls will then frighten them when they get anywhere near and even peck them and flap. The cats soon retreat. I think the cats also realised quite soon that the girls are part of the house and looked after by us so off bounds.

 

It is now quite hilarious watching DH take the dog for a walk invariably followed by the cats and chickens, or chickens and cats. The cats still stalk the girls occasionaly but I've never seen any attempt at harm

[Marky D]

Thank you all, you have put my mind at rest.

Just been out to check them and they were laid in the corner of their run huddled together on the floor, had to pick them up and put them in their house, hopefully they'll soon learn and do this themselves???

[chicken bark]

It may take a few nights of you actually putting them to bed but they'll soon get the hang of it.

 

My hens are fenced off so cats can't get at them but I don't think my cats would bother them much anyway. Chickens can move fast when they want to.

[sadietoo]

Just wanted to add, our avowed hunter is really quite scared of our girls..(although he wouldn't really want to admit it) they never get that close, (but that doesn't stop my goldline taking a pop at the cat whenever she gets the opportunity)..

 

The girls will soon get the hang of putting themselves to bed on their own. Although I do go out each night and close up once they are safely away, as we have had a fox problem previously, so security is a priority.

[GAT]

i wouldnt worry too much about the chickens i would worry about the cat, i have two cats and was worried at first i let the chickens only in there run for about a week and the cats would stalk them up and down it but it gave the chickens time to get used to them (and the dog) when i let them out i have the hose pipe on and let the cats just get close enough as not to spook them but the soon lost interest and if they got too close the chickens attacked the cats. it is now funny to see two cats walk down the garden giving the chickens a very wide berth. the chickens also chase the dog around the garden when he is playing they did attack him the other day when he was throwing a soft toy around it was a big one and i think they thought he was attacking a chicken

[Marky D]

Well, as you all predicted, i need not have worried, the girls were out in the garden yesterday, cat came home jumped over fence not knowing they were out, one flapped her wings a bit and did a little jump, cat nearly pooped himself and kept a very wide berth of them. They were out a lot of the day and he showed no interest at all (thank god!).

Panic over but will still keep a wary eye on him for now.

As for bedtime, first night i had to put them to bed but after that they have taken themselves off about 8.30 ish, been letting them out at about 7.30 in morning and so far (touch wood) no shouting to be let out.

There's nowt to this chicken keeping lark