Clairey_Fairy Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 I have been obsessing about getting chickens for weeks now, but I finally have to take the plunge and get my coop and chooks, and I'm a little worried now that I am doing the right thing! I have been reading these forums A LOT and lots of other stuff, and got books etc etc. Have even been to a farm to look at chooks. We have a fairly small garden (room enough for the Eglu and 2 chickens I want though), and I think I'm just worried that over winter we'll end up with a mud bath for a garden and my hubby (who has taken a lot of convincing on the chicken front) will be less than impressed. I need some reassurance that getting chickens will be the best thing I've ever done, and I won't regret it! I know there will be a wet, cold and mucky winter ahead, but this will be worthwhile as I will have 2 happy chooks running round the garden with me on the sunny days and laying me lovely eggs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 First of all, congratulations on taking the plunge! I remember feeling distinctly cold of feet too when we pressed the button and ordered our girls and eglu! But that was three years ago and we wouldn't swap our beautiful girls for the world. It's true that your garden might suffer a little, but if you are concerned about it deteriorating over the winter, just make sure you manage which parts your girls have access to. Omlet and other companies online sell good quality netting which is very handy for doing this. That way, yes, some of your garden may become muddy over winter, but you can keep the rest nice and pristine, perhaps letting your girls range the whole space just at weekends. We reseed bare areas each spring and they come through no problem I'm sure you will get so much enjoyment from keeping your girls that you won't mind the odd enthusiastically-dug dust bath after a while! skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 I can't pretend that the gardne won't take a bit of a battering but it's worth it! My OH was dead against getting chickens and it was a bit of an uphill struggle to get him to agree. He loves them and will often go down the garden to do some paperwork where he can sit and watch them. Of course, he loves the eggs as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Hi there, I worried about this and after a week of chicken owner ship built the permanent site (wood frame filled with bark chippings eglu on top). The girlies love it, their little legs must have been exhausted from so much foraging the first day. The frame keeps the mess in one place and it's easy to rake over and keep tidy and looking smart. Happy me, Happy Chooks. They do come out and free range too. They've still not discovered the bit of garden around the corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 I think as others have said if you clean up regularly and reseed you have a better chance of keeping it looking nice. I think the eglu on a permanant site is the way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clairey_Fairy Posted September 7, 2010 Author Share Posted September 7, 2010 Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I am sure I will end up with my chickens, and think a permanant site is the way forward. Will let you know when we get them! Just got to decide which colour Eglu to get now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
