Eglu Cube Coop and Accessories

[Stella14]

Hi all,

I'm new here and my partner and I are about to get our first chickens. It's surprisingly exciting!

 

I have a question about foxes: I'd expect them to be able to scale a good size fence since they could grip it, but could they scale a 7' wall, part of which consists of a metal garage door? There really wouldn't be much purchase.

 

Aside from that, I'm busy reading, talking = learning. I'm waiting for the coup and run to arrive and be erected, then we'll be off to get our hens. The only problem we have is deciding which ones to get. We are looking to have a mixed flock of 4, but I have narrowed it down to 6 Rhode Rock, Black Rock, Rhode Island Red, Blue Haze, Light Sussex and Speckledy. I know they are all easy, docile breeds, all hybrids except the Light Sussex (she is none negotiable because I just love the look of them So really its choice based on appearance I think. So many breeds, so little time . . . .

Edited November 9, 2010 by Guest

[LauraJ]

We have a black rock, a light sussex and a speckeldy and they are all lovely . Such friendly little ladies, they follow us everywhere! We used to have a white star as well but she died .

Have fun with your new chickens, whichever breeds you choose!

With regards to foxes, they are sneakier than you could ever imagine - we always make sure we tuck our girls up safe in their house when it gets dusky and never let them free range unless we are at home to keep an eye on them.

[chris_21]

hi there, i would say a fox couldn't scale a 7 ft wall they can only jump up to 6ft maximum but be very carefull because if a fox knows there is chickens in you back garden it will get in your garden they will even dig so get your partner to pee around the coup and run as foxes don't like other male urine and will back off. sadly i have had to kill 5 foxes so far and i don't like doing it but i would always put my chickens first before a fox. anyway i would recommend having a buff orpington, brown leghorn(very good egg layers and very loyal), light sussex, and a couple of warrens.

[Redwing]

7ft should keep them in but it wont keep a fox out - it would make it tricky for sure but not impossible

 

Look out for things that could be used as platforms in or out such as shed roofs, chicken coop, composter etc..

 

A Rhode Island Red is a pure breed not a hybrid

 

I would always go for pure breeds personally - but thats just me!

[Stella14]

Thank you both. I should mention that I live in a Victorian Terrace House with a large yard with a 7' wall around it. Therefore, all of the ground, inside and outside of the yard, is concrete, so no risk of anything digging under. I will take your suggestion Chris and get my partner to pee around, if only for the entertainment value.

 

We have finally taken a decision. A Black Rock - Harriet. A Rhode Rock - Henrietta. A Light Sussex - Juliet and a Blue Haze - Lydia.

[Stella14]

Redwing. Why do you prefer pure bred to hybrid?

[Redwing]

I think I have just had a bad experience, my hybrids spent most of the time bullying, fighting, feather plucking and egg eating!!

 

Hybrids lay lots of eggs but for less years, they then live a good couple of years beyond that not providing any eggs. A pure breed can live for around 6 years and be productive for most of that time - they do stop laying in the winter though

 

Hybrids seem to suffer from more egg laying related problems such as peritonitis. One advantage of hybrids is that they have normally been vaccinated against quite a few things and so the chances of losing them other problems is much reduced

 

I prefer my pure breeds which are wonderfully chilled out and tolerant of each other but many, many people on here absolutely love their hybrids and have no problems whatsoever

 

I think I may have become a chicken s"Ooops, word censored!", I am very spoiled with my lovely calm Wyandottes

[Stella14]

Well I'll have one pure bred to begin with in the Sussex. I'm glad to be joining the community here. I am learning a lots from reading the threads and the FAQ section