chestnutmare Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 I've just ordered the book Chicken Manual: The Complete Step-by-step Guide to Keeping Chickens . This wanting-to-keep chickens feeling isn't going away. Should I be worried? My OH and I like the look of and would like two or three chickens. Actually, I think I'm the one who's liking the look of the Eglu and he choose purple! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Jane Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 I think once the idea has been planted it NEVER goes away. I must have read every chicken book going for about a year - even subscribed to a poultry keepers magazine! I now have a second hand and three lovely light sussex hens. I cant believe how worried I was about getting chickens. This has been the best experience ever and the whole family has been involved. Good luck with your venture and ENJOY !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 There is nothing to worry about apart from your garden being trashed ( if you have grass or chippings) & the poo! Chickens really can poo a lot. It's not a problem for me, but some first time owners hate it & realise that they don't really like poo picking & cleaning the poo tray. They then go on to get rid of the chickens & sell their eglu's. This is only to warn you of what happens with some people & to be prepared for a bit of mess & buying in your marigold rubber gloves! Most people on here see past the mess & love their chickens very much! ( me being one of them). Your new chickens may bit a bit pecky with you at first, but this soon fades & they become quite tame. They are extremely rewarding with eggs & entertainment value. You'll love them. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctors girls Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 go to page 4 on the forum and read the messages on "ADVICE FOR NEWBIE" my wife thought i was nuts but she always asks how are the girls and is a great talking point when pets are mentioned my advice is go for it john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 Thanks for the replies, you are only encouraging me! LOL Calamity Jane, I don't know if I'll be able to wait a year. How spoilt does that sound? craftyhunnypie, I remember cleaning out a coop of 23 chickens in my teenage years and it could be pretty disgusting. I don't won't anywhere near that amount though and hopefully the Eglu makes it life a little easier when it comes to cleaning. That's what I've read at least...? Could I install a flushing toilet? Thanks John, I will search for that now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Go for it... I first wanted chickens 20 years ago....but OH was adamant that they were a BAD idea, even tho we lived on an ex farm with a large garden at that point. Now I'm in a suburban vicarage, but my chooks were my 50th birthday present to myself and they are such a joy, and the eglu makes keeping them much easier than former rabbits, guinea pigs etc in wooden hutches. Compost the poo and all is good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 I've just ordered the book Chicken Manual: The Complete Step-by-step Guide to Keeping Chickens .This wanting-to-keep chickens feeling isn't going away. Should I be worried? My OH and I like the look of and would like two or three chickens. Actually, I think I'm the one who's liking the look of the Eglu and he choose purple! We bought that book, our 2nd step on the way to chicken keeping. Our 1st joining this forum! Although we haven't got our girls yet, the book is great bed time reading, covering birth, death and everything in between! Enjoy but be warned it's a step on the slippery slope to hen keeping. We've gone from that book, to attending an Omlet chicken keeping course, to our hen house being delivered on Monday, with hopefully these taking up residence shortly afterwards . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Phew for a moment I thought you really hadn't succumbed yet That's a nice book, lots of pictures and good information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 ... my chooks were my 50th birthday present to myself and they are such a joy . . . Snap. Mine were also my 50th birthday present to myself. Must be something about getting older and wiser. I have learnt to resist those OH sighs and disapproving frowns. He likes them now though. Funny, the other day I heard him telling someone that they were a 50th birthday present to me from him. Before I got my chooks I must have bought, and read, every chicken book going just to look at the pictures. I was a confirmed addict before a feather even appeared in my garden. Now I have quite a library of chook books. Some, it has to be said, are much better than others. The bits on diseases make one wonder what on earth kind of dreadful creatures chickens are. The descriptions and pictures are so Don't be put off by those bits. Really chickens are the easiest pet I've ever had. Easier by far than rabbits, nicer and more entertaining than hammies and I get into far more trouble with my dogs. Once you have read the odd A-Z type of book go for something that has chicken stories. I'd recommend 'Hen And The Art Of Chicken Maintenance' by Martin Gurdon and 'Best Hens for You' by Charlotte Popescu. Both are a really good read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 SageandOnion, I'm following the same steps. I joined here first, ordered the book now I just need to get the Eglu. You must be very excited for Monday. Please take and posts photos for us. Funny, the other day I heard him telling someone that they were a 50th birthday present to me from him. Typical man! I take it he now knows what type of presents to get you in the future? Thanks for the book recommendations and to everyone for the replies. --> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Chestnutmare - will definitely post some pics, though I have to confess we've gone for a wooden hen house. On the book front you might like this one - it has the most gorgeous illustrations:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-Guide-Chickens-Choose-Them/dp/1408122294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292011591&sr=8-1 Happy reading Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 Chestnutmare - will definitely post some pics, though I have to confess we've gone for a wooden hen house. On the book front you might like this one - it has the most gorgeous illustrations:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-Guide-Chickens-Choose-Them/dp/1408122294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292011591&sr=8-1 Happy reading Great, thanks. I agree, the illustrations are fantastic. Can I ask, what made you go for a wooden hen house? You see there is still time for me to be persuaded one way or the other... although at the moment the Eglu is in favour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 We agonised over the house for ages, though we kept going back to an Omlet number or a Flytesofancy. We saw both makes of housing in the flesh and thought they were excellent quality, in the end I just couldn't resist the heart http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/The_Long-Legged_Maggie_s_Six_Hen_House.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 That wooden coup is gorgeous. How do you clean it? I must say that the Eglu is really easy to clean - just tip out the poo tray every couple of days and give it a good hose down and scrub once in a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Thanks Migsy - house is coming on Monday so don't know how easy it will be to clean, from memory you can take the nest box off and it has a big back door for access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 Yes, it is very nice! I like the design of it, it'll look gorgeous in the garden. Will you have a walk in run to go with it? Oo, do take lots of photos for us (or me, whatever ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
