newbie chickster Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Hi there experienced chicken people! I am really new to all this, have just booked my Beginners Chicken Course and am so looking forward to it. I know I shall be able to ask all the questions on the day but I would value your advice now, please! Would it be better to wait until Spring to buy my Eglu and chickens and get started? I only wondered with evenings getting gradually darker I've been told chickens don't lay much over winter. Do they stop laying completely? It isn't just the eggs of course but are they still happy to roam around the garden andtheir run when weather is colder and wet - I'm not sure I'll be roaming around the garden in the midst of winter! Realistically it would be mid to end October before I've done the course, got organised in the garden and bought the kit - what do you all think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 The sensible thing would be to wait until Spring ... but you don't want to wait that long, do you! Chickens do lay fewer eggs in the winter, but if you have point-of-lay pullets they may lay all the way through, my first lot of Gingernut Rangers did. On the other hand, you may find they don't even start laying till the spring - there's no guarantees. You will see less of them in the winter - if you're at work all day then that means you won't see much of them except at weekends. They won't mind the cold, and they generally don't mind a bit of damp as long as it's not actually raining but bear in mind that you'll be out there in all weathers as well (it's a great opportunity to keep the garden tidy, though!) There are some disadvantages to starting now, but if I was unlucky enough to lose some of my hens I wouldn't hesitate to restock whatever the time of year, so I don't see why you should be put off as a beginner from starting now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie chickster Posted September 8, 2010 Author Share Posted September 8, 2010 Hi Olly Thanks for the sound advice. You're right I don't really want to wait but neither should I rush into this in order to catch the tail end of autumn. So I shall go on my course, learn all I can, get the area ready for them and see what month we are in when I'm better prepared. I do work part time and have a disabled child - partly why I am getting the chickens as he loves them. So part of me thinks when ever they arrive he will be delighted even if they don't lay or come out very much at first. Many thanks for your encouraging words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 To beat the price rise and subsequent VAT increase, I'd get your Eglu now. You can always wait till Spring to fill it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Hi there, Don't forget that the price of the classic/cube goes up tomorrow. You'll probably find that the price of the secondhand ones goes up too. Chicken keeping really is rather addictive, just so you know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I would agree it's a good time to get the Eglu now and beat the price increase. It will also give you the opportunity before you get your hens to work out where to site the Eglu that suits you best. I love my Eglu, also love my Cube too. The one thing I can honestly say I hated was the Eglu run. I really don't know how anyone can keep the run clean as the door is right at the far end away from the Eglu itself and it's too small to get into to do a poo pick and quite honestly although this time of year flies and smells aren't a problem, they are in the Summer. We only had our run about 2wks before we realised it wasn't working, even when we had it on slabs with woodchips, it was just a mess. I would imagine the Cube run is easier to keep clean as it's higher off the ground, but in an ideal world I think a nice WIR is the best thing. They aren't cheap but perhaps if your hubby is handy he can make one for you and then you would only need to buy the Eglu itself and you'd had have between now and the Spring to build your own run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clairey_Fairy Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I have just (about 30 seconds ago) ordered my Eglu Classic and run, and winter shade! I have finally conviced my husband (wasn't allowed purple though, had to stick to sensible green), and taken the plunge! I knew VAT was due to go up for next year, but didn't realise prices of Eglu/Cube were going up tomorrow? I have been up and down the last month or so, desperate to get chickens, but weighing up pros and cons. The price of the Eglu? (comparing to wooden coops - but went with Eglu classic as suits us better despite the price!), is our garden big enough, will chickens be noisy, messy etc etc... And when should I get them? So am in exactly the same position as you. After many e mails and a visit to local farm and chicken breeder (where I plan to get my 2 girls), I think we will go for it as soon as the Eglu arrives. It seems a good time of year to get POL pullets that were born in the spring, and are just coming into lay, and hopefully as we are getting hybrids they might even lay a bit over winter. If not they will be settled in and ready to lay in the spring. As for the cold, I don't think the chickens are bothered as long as they have a dry shelter, it's more us! (The thought of being out in the garden in the rain feeding and cleaning!) But if I can get through the winter the summer will be a doddle! I'm very eggcited! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 If I was starting now I would definitely be ordering mine now too. A lot of people on here have covered their Eglu runs with sheets of clear corrugated plastic fixed on with bungees to stop the rain getting in. It certainly helps to keep the woodchips from getting all soggy and gives the hens a dry place to roam in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 When you have hens you'll need to go out and tend to them in Winter anyway, so all you will be doing is getting them before this Winter instead of next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I got my hens October last year. It worked out fine for me, we had a few weeks of okayish weather before the dreadful rain and snow of the winter set in As you say, if you can get through the winter the summer will be a doddle. My best advise would be to make sure your run is covered. Hens don't mind getting wet at all, but it sure does make keeping the run clean and stink-free a lot easier if you can keep it dry. A clear tarp or shower curtain is ideal. You really need something that lets the light through as light is necessary for egg production. Other than that, wellies and a good waterproof coat are essential and don't let your chooks on the grass in winter as they will trash it Keep them in the run or fence off a sacrificial bit of garden for them. Good luck - you will love keeping hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Aargh! You have all scared me in to ordering a second eglu today for 2 new chooks that OH has finally agreed to, ( on account of the imminent price hike! Haven't told OH yet, (he thinks they are squashing into the existing one) and we are having an expensive month already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Hiya there from another newbie to chicken ownership! I would go for it now, especially if you're getting your ladies from Omlet. We got our three girls last week and their and they've settled in egg-streamly well!! We've had eggs every single day - even when they arrived! The man from Omlet did say this current batch of chickens are very good layers. We've got the Eglu Classic and I empty the droppings tray daily, clean it out and put fresh newspaper to line the tray (makes it easier to keep clean). You can put the droppings straight onto your plants if you wish. I move the run/Eglu every day or two, which means I can easily clean the run area where they've been previously and it puts them onto a nice new patch of grass. I just use rubber gloves and put all the poop and bits in the compost/green bin. We aren't that bothered about the actual grass in our garden, having a doggy has ruined it anyways! So we let our girls out to roam and they're having a field day! They especially seem to like foraging underneath the bushes that surround the back, making their dustbaths and doing that little dance they do They really aren't a lot of hard work at all and are a delight to sit and watch for hours! It's very addictive for sure Let us know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I got my first girls on October 7th 2007. Their first egg was just before Christmas 2007 and I screamed the garden down. Then I thought hubby had put an egg in as he has a suspicious smirk but good old Ginger Spice laid nearly every day after that. I'd get them nw if you want to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahlaclau Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Hi I have had my chickens since the 13th August this year. Don't delay and get them now. I have an eglu cube with run and an extension plus I bought the chicken fence from Omlet so they can have a bigger run when I am home. I took my eyes off them for half an hour and they did manage to get under my neighbours fence! But apart from that it has been really easy to look after them. I think chickens are the best pets to have because they don't need walking! What is really nice is that the three of them now run to me when I go out.......only thing is I spend so much time just watching them! Great for children too! I f you wait for spring it could be as bad as this summer, the weather is never perfect here! I bought my chickens from Cotswold Chickens.......Jude there is really helpful and doesn't mind how often you call for advice - it was definitely well worth the drive there as the three chickens are beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie chickster Posted September 9, 2010 Author Share Posted September 9, 2010 Wow, what an amazing forum. Thank you all so much for you advice and sharing your own experiences. It makes the prospect of owning and caring for chickens a lot less daunting knowing you are out there to call upon. I will keep you posted! As much as I wanted to order the Eglu immediately (and beat large price increase) I can't figure out whether I would be better getting the Go or the Classic and see I need to consider where the door to the run would be best as the Go gives you the option for side or end but the Classic doesn't seem to yet looks rather more stylish! Need to measure up the spot in the garden I'd ear marked for my chickens. Guess that is another post under 'Eglu' rather than 'Chickens' looking at pros and cons of both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Hi just wanted to add my bit too. I like you was going to wait, get them next year and in the meantime get their run and housing sorted ready in advance... however an eglu came up for sale near me and it just seemed like it was meant to be. We have had them 10 days now and I dont for one minute regret having them earlier than planned. It is/was a bit daunting and still finding our feet with them... but thanks to this forum everyone has been very helpful and they are now part of the family If you can do it, dont wait. You will not regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 To beat the price rise and subsequent VAT increase, I'd get your Eglu now. You can always wait till Spring to fill it. .... oh, I bet she can't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clairey_Fairy Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I have ordered my Eglu which arrives Tuesday, followed shortly by my chickens I hope! I am getting them locally. Hopefully I will enjoy chicken keeping as much as everyone else does. And there is always lots of advice available from those with lots of chicken experience for all us newbies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Well done for ordering your eglu...Hope the girls can come soon; I'm sure they will bring you all sorts of joy. Sarah - my girls came from Cotswold Chickens too, as did the ...Lovely place and so helpful, as you say...though it's a bit of a trek from here so I'm looking for other henny experts closer to home. What hens did you get? I have a black star, a speckled star & a bluebelle (who is a brilliant layer). Love them all, but Margot the black star is my favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie chickster Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Yes you are right Olly, I don't think I'll be waiting until Spring for my Eglu and chickens! I have read lots of positive things about the Cotswold Chicken company. As I live in the Cotswolds think I should check them out. Initially was going to order Eglu and chickens from Omlet. What do you all think? Is this best for a total novice or should I go and pick out my own and get a different breed of chicken that those provided by Omlet. Need chicken that is as child friendly as possible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
