Kylie1007 Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 (edited) Hi Everyone Just beginning our "chicken journey"! After seeing a sign saying "chickens for sale" outside a local cattery we decided that we would love to have a go at keeping chickens so we are now awaiting delivery of a chicken coop which is supposed to be coming tomorrow and today i went and bought 20kg of layers pellets and corn as well as some wood shavings for under the perches! I hope that is right! Not sure what chickens we're going to be getting yet but very excited even though I am a little nervous around birds! ***********************************8 UPDATE well my girls have settled in just perfectly! They're getting to know us and even standing my 3 year old son chasing them (how many times have I told him not to frighten them!) He loves giving them their treats, especially their mealworm (OMG! Haagen Daaz to a chicken!!!) and even leaned into the nest box to give Esmerelda a kiss tonight They start clucking as soon as I walk up the garden and Esmerelda the orpington will follow me to see what grub I've bought her! They're free ranging around the garden and loving it! My son feeding the girls Rosie, our silkie We naively thought that this fence might keep them in Henrietta our faverolle and Esmerelda our orpington Edited January 24, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Hi Kylie, and welcome to the wonderful world of chickens! You will not regret your decision - having chickens is one of the best things I have ever done, and I can honestly say that I am still as excited letting them out every morning as I was when I first got my girls three and a half years ago. This forum is a great place to get your questions answered etc, and we look forward to hearing all about your chicken journey! Good luck, and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Hello!!! I had all the same worries as you when I started out almost six months ago, but I'm loving chuck keeping and I'm sure you will too!!! Great to have you on board!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Welcome to the forum, Kylie . You won't regret your decision, chickens are fab . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 How exciting, Kylie...Chickens are fab & the omlet forum is a brilliant place to learn more, & to be thoroughly enthused about keeping them. Welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Hello and welcome Do lots of reading first so you know what you are letting yourself in for. They are great fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Hello Kylie. Another one into the madhouse We are all nuts about chickens here so you are in the right place An excellent thread on here is Kalico's one called 'thinking of getting chickens'. It reads like a 'Diary of a Newbie' and says it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Welcome to the forum Kylie Keeping chickens is great fun, I wouldn't want to be without them now. Good luck, let us know what you get? Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 How fab, you'll be hooked in no time, especially when your on egg check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I got my hens last week and even my OH is now very excited about them. Letting them out in the morning, caring for them and finding eggs is special. This forum is a very good place to get advice, I've learnt loads here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 Warm welcomes to the forum, we got our 1st chickens at the weekend - they're fascinating to watch and I just love the way they put themselves to bed and stay there - children take note Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I wish my girls settled down as quickly as my "girls" they are currently in bed by 4.30 LOL I love my hens, even to the point of getting out of bed with Swine flu when I heard the fox int the garden at 4am....I didn't get out again for a week,,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie1007 Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 thank you everyone! Will keep you updated with pics as and when something interesting happens Tell me, do I need a bowl of grit in their coop if they're on gravel with bark chippings on top? Also, is crushed oyster shell an alternative to grit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Yes I would put some grit in their run, in a coop cup (from the pet shop) will be fine. Flint grit and oystershell grit are two different things. The flint grit acts a bit like teeth and grinds up the food in their gizzard and so is necessary for digestion. Oystershell grit is soluble and provides the hens with calcium. If the hens are having good quality layers pellets they shouldn't particularly need oystershell grit as the pellets should contain all the calcium they need. That said, mine have it because my local animal and pet store only sells mixed grit (flint and oystershell together) or oystershell on it's own. So I give them the mixed grit. They seem to be okay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie1007 Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 The coop is up! Going to pick up the chickens tomorrow! Very excited! I have.. Coop layers pellets corn sawdust Tomorrow I am going to buy... feeders drinkers straw flint grit What else do I need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megalin Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 Welcome Kylie! You'll be hooked and chicken obsessed in no time! They are amazingly addictive. Sometimes i suddenly find myself crouched frozen solid in the garden watching them pecking away, hypnotized for hours, after just popping out to give them some grain! Your list is looking good to me to start with, all the essentials. Other things you'll need are disinfectant for cleaning the coop and it's always good to have a basic chicken first aid kit for any ailments but personally I've been building this as I go, some people like to be more prepared. I just post on here if any problems arise and get lots of amazing advice from more experienced chicken keepers and them get the necessary things! I would recommend getting disinfectant for cleaning the coop soon ( Poultry Shield is a popular one ) and an anti nasties powder to sprinkle in coop and run to prevent smell, mites, worm eggs and moisture.... (Stalosan F is good, although you'll need an additional red mite powder) Sorry for the essay...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 The coop is up! Going to pick up the chickens tomorrow! Very excited! I have.. Coop layers pellets corn sawdust Tomorrow I am going to buy... feeders drinkers straw flint grit What else do I need? a nice comfy garden chair a hat and coat a mug of tea and time to sit there and watch they are such a delight to hang out with...I love chillin' with my peeps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie1007 Posted January 12, 2011 Author Share Posted January 12, 2011 I guess you have to REAAAALLLY love your chickens to sit out in this weather It's pretty vile out there! HUbby got his work finished early so he could get home in day light hours to put the coop up and put it up in the rain...yuck...I apparently have to prepare for the mud when I go to pick up my gals tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 The coop is up! Going to pick up the chickens tomorrow! Very excited! I have.. Coop layers pellets corn sawdust Tomorrow I am going to buy... feeders drinkers straw flint grit What else do I need? a nice comfy garden chair a hat and coat a mug of tea and time to sit there and watch they are such a delight to hang out with...I love chillin' with my peeps... And don't forget to charge the camera Enjoy getting your girls tomorrow. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megalin Posted January 12, 2011 Share Posted January 12, 2011 I got sucked in, I can't help it! I'm sure you will too..... (Also I have a big fluffy coat (add that to your list too!) but even that has a time limit in this weather) I would never have guessed I'd get so loved up about chickens.... The whole world of chickens is lovely too. The people into chicken keeping are as endearing as the chooks! Enjoy your girls and get some pics on here when they're settled in. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Today is THE DAY Looking forward to hearing all about it and seeing your new girls. One more thing you might want . . . meal worms. Chickens adore these and a few of these will soon get them to come running to you Then there are those little extras like a brussels sprout tree, half a freshly broken coconut and few bits of sweet corn. Offer these and your new chickens will love you for life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Good luck with your new chickens. I notice that you've said feeders and drinkers plural, which is great as it's good to have more than one source of food and water for them, especially when they're sorting out the pecking order (which can be a little alarming!). You might also want to give some thought to finding them lovely names Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Have fun, please post lots of pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie1007 Posted January 13, 2011 Author Share Posted January 13, 2011 You might also want to give some thought to finding them lovely names Yes my little boy who is 3 has the name Henrietta that he fancies (the other ones are silly things like Postman Pat or whatever he happens to be watching at the time ). Other names suggested are Pie & Nugget and Kay, Eff and Cee I have my chickens now and they were excellent girls in the car, not a peep - I am used to having a miaowing cat when I transport animals in the car! I have a gold silkie, a Buff Orpington and I can't remember the other breed but she is ginger coloured. Theyre looking a bit bedraggled at the moment with the rain but they're 18 weeks old and the lady said that the silkies are already laying so we may even have an egg tomorrow! Definately think that we will have to build them a bigger run, I don't really want them totally free range as I have a 3 year old and don't want him running around in chicken poo. They have a great area that we can turn into a pen because we filled in two ponds (terrified my son would be attracted to the ponds!) and our garden is useless for much else as it's so steep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted January 13, 2011 Share Posted January 13, 2011 Don't forget a 'poo shovel'... I've got a poo shovel (a kids' toy shovel with long handle to reach into the run) - they're about £3 in B&Q and a 'poo trowel' for use emptying the droppings tray. Finally, there's 'big poo shovel' and 'poo bucket' for emptying the run of used bark chippings once a month - we put the chippings into a compost bin in our garden - we get LOTS of good quality compost - and lots of potatoes these days come to think of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
