MarkBevBen Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Hiya everyone! Have been having a good look at the forum and thought we'd introduce ourselves. We're getting our three chickens and pink Eglu classic next week We've never had chickens before, but it's something I've personally wanted for a long time and we're so looking forward to welcoming them home. Been doing lots of reading but any tips or advice would be very much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Welcome to the forum. Are you having omlet chickens? I started off with an Eglu and two omlet girls that became four within weeks. I love the Eglu it is brilliant Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky D Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Hi, Get a good flat trowel for scooping up all that lovely poo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldstar Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Hi and welcome to the forum. Enjoy your chickens. You will find yourself going out and having little chats with the girls and thanking them for their eggs. (or maybe thats just me) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 and thanking them for their eggs. (or maybe thats just me) I always thank mine too! Welcome to the forum MarkBevBen, bet you can't wait for next week - we have the & and they look fab in the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 My bluebelles are hugely offended if I don't say thank you Welcome to chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_eggwards_family Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 We've had our girls now for nearly 3 weeks - we've had eggs now since wednesday and so far we are loving it! Oh yes....................and the poo! There's soooo much of it! Be warned lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Welcome to the forum! You will find it invaluable..... be prepared to worry like mad at first and then it gradually all makes sense. They are pretty resilient, their lives revolve around eating and pooing (more than you can imagine). Their little squabbles make great entertainment and the eggs - well, they are just a bonus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Hi Welcome to the forum, I am fairly new too and as yet dont have any chickens (get them on Monday ). I have found everyone so helpful and welcoming on here, and sure you will too. You will get lots of greats ideas too. Enjoy your chickens when you get them. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Welcome to the forum . Have you found the "shopping list for newbies" thread yet? It might be of some help . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of chickens I started with 4 now have 14..... It is addictive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted August 29, 2010 Author Share Posted August 29, 2010 Hiya everyone and thank you for your lovely welcome looking forward to lots of chuckie chattering! Yes, our girls are Omlet chicks and we're looking forward to their arrival on Wednesday Hopefully the poo won't be too much of a problem, I'm well used to picking up after our doggy (Ben - see his picture) who can poo for England! At lease three times a day, bless him!!! I'll check out the link to the newbies shopping list, thanks for that! I'm sure i'll be on here asking lots of daft questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted August 29, 2010 Author Share Posted August 29, 2010 We've had our girls now for nearly 3 weeks - we've had eggs now since wednesday and so far we are loving it!Oh yes....................and the poo! There's soooo much of it! Be warned lol! That's ace are yours from Omlet as well? xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Welcome to the forum, you will get so much good advice on here. I've had my 4 ex batts for nearly 2mths now and I would be lost without the help of everyone on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 welcome to the forum, you will find everyone friendly and willing to help as and when required.... my word of advice - collect the eggs daily ti avoid your ladies getting broody - I think its if the sit on 12ish eggs they can go broody (some do go broody regardless ) also enjoy your girls xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted August 29, 2010 Author Share Posted August 29, 2010 Welcome to the forum, you will get so much good advice on here. I've had my 4 ex batts for nearly 2mths now and I would be lost without the help of everyone on here Hiya Mercedes Glad you're feeling a little brighter, I saw your thread yesterday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted August 29, 2010 Author Share Posted August 29, 2010 welcome to the forum, you will find everyone friendly and willing to help as and when required.... my word of advice - collect the eggs daily ti avoid your ladies getting broody - I think its if the sit on 12ish eggs they can go broody (some do go broody regardless ) also enjoy your girls xx Hiya FY, thanks for the tip - I've been reading lots of information and it seems anything can set our ladies off kilter! We'll definately be collecting our eggies, once they start laying - been thinking of all the things I can make with them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 welcome to the forum, you will find everyone friendly and willing to help as and when required.... my word of advice - collect the eggs daily ti avoid your ladies getting broody - I think its if the sit on 12ish eggs they can go broody (some do go broody regardless ) also enjoy your girls xx Hiya FY, thanks for the tip - I've been reading lots of information and it seems anything can set our ladies off kilter! We'll definately be collecting our eggies, once they start laying - been thinking of all the things I can make with them! another one that the girls love is corn on the cob..... screw a screw (how bad dose that sound lol) into one end of the cob and hang it up and watch lol. they will love it and the amount of amusement you will get watching them.... (but don't get carried away with treats as it will effect the girls not always in the best way.) i normally give them a little in the afternoon, it can also make their eggs nice and yellow. enjoy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted August 29, 2010 Author Share Posted August 29, 2010 Awww cool, thanks for that FY. Yes we need to make sure they eat their kibble (or forget the correct name for it) first before treats don't we. What else can they have for treats? Here's some other things I've found through my research so far..... marmite on toast Broccoli Sprouts Can they eat things like leaves? For instance I was pruning my tomato plants and wondered if they can have them?? (Probably sounds really daft ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 I have a feeling that tomato leaves and potato leaves are bad or poisonous to chooks, not sure but it sticks in my mind that they are Most weeds like dandilions are welcomed though Curly kale is also a big hit with my lot as are spinich, greens and cherry tomatos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mygoditsraining Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 When we got our birds we tried the marmite on toast thing. They flipped the bread over, marmite side down, then ate all the bread off the back of it. Chickens with taste! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Regarding the marmite thing. Any left over sandwiches I break up and soak in water first. Dry bread is not very good for them. Any fruit such as grapes you need to chop up small as it can start fermenting in their crop. I give mine whole banana's (skins on too) - that I learned from someone off this site. Mine go potty for left over pasta. It is a really exiting time - take lots of photos and remember how beautiful your garden once was and how despite the mess and initial expense the hens are really worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 I have a feeling that tomato leaves and potato leaves are bad or poisonous to chooks, not sure but it sticks in my mind that they are Most weeds like dandilions are welcomed though Curly kale is also a big hit with my lot as are spinich, greens and cherry tomatos hummmmmm not sure weather potato leaves are poisonous or not - bout a year ago my girls reduced my veggie patch to nothing within minutes and polished off my potato plants which were all starting to flower! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Welcome and glad you are starting with 3 not 2 as I did. Enjoy your girls,they are known as time wasters but worth every minute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherbet Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Hi...& welcome to the wonderful world of chooks, i got mine from omlet with purple eglu, 2 ginger nut rangers, they are adorable, no fighting, no pecking order (not that i have seen) they are always together! They are such a joy, just be warned they are very addictive, and you spoil them rotten! lol This is a great forum, you will never be on your own with all these people to help you. Lynne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
