Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[ZoeBunny]

After winning a second-hand Cube with 3m run off eBay just before Christmas I am over the moon that we are finally getting it all set-up so that I can have some girls!!

 

Seems like it's taken forever to happen, but after the bad snow delayed us clearing a section of our heavily wooded garden for the chooks and then finding out we have another little chick of our own on the way we have finally got our backsides into gear.

 

So far hubby has cleared & dug out the groundworks and is in the process of laying the slabs for it to sit on, should hopefully get that finished tomorrow so that we can get the run attached etc.

 

I've got a glass clear tarp to go over the run, as we want to use Auboise, and some garden edging to put round the bottom of the frame to stop them kicking it out everywhere. Got all my vits, meds etc on order from Omlet (delivery on Tues) and have found a good feed supplier locally.... have I forgotten anything?????

 

Want to be 100000% ready for when we go and get some ladies next weekend!

 

Here are pics of the Cube set-up so far....

 

This is the area we had to completly clear!

 

Digging... and more digging...

 

As of 6pm tonight!! Still need to lay 3 more rows of slabs to accomodate the run but finally feel like we're getting somewhere!

 

I'm so excited I could pee!!!!

Edited June 12, 2011 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Wow, what an idyllic spot .

 

Congratulations on that and on your own hatchling . When's it due?

[bigmommasally]

I'm so excited I could pee!!!!

that made me laugh

 

 

Beautiful chicken spot I'm

[ZoeBunny]

Wow, what an idyllic spot .

 

Congratulations on that and on your own hatchling . When's it due?

 

Thanks!!

Not due until end of November... but have had a VERY rough first 12 weeks this time!!

[ZoeBunny]

I'm so excited I could pee!!!!

that made me laugh

 

Beautiful chicken spot I'm

 

Well it's the truth!!

Hardly slept a wink last night... kept thinking someone was going to steal it

 

Yes it is a beautiful spot, only the best for my girls!!

 

I'm thinking of having 5 in total. Would it be best to get all 5 at the same time so that they can establish their pecking order as opposed to getting 3 and then having to introduce 2 more at a later date? Decisions decisions...

[jennym]

Hi Zoe,

 

Congrats on all the soon-to-be new additions to your family! Your chicken-spot looks fabulous.

 

I'm 'freshly laid' too so this is just my opinion based on what I've read, not experience (yet!).

 

I think if you want to introduce new hens later you might need temporary separate accommodation for them while you introduce them gradually. If you can't do this it might be easier just to get them all together. Besides, I think as soon as you get your first lot you'll want more right away. Moorhens disease strikes quickly! If only we had room we'd have a bigger coop, walk-in run, more chooks, etc etc

 

Best of luck,

Jen

[teacake]

oh wow, looks amazing! get as many as you can, we were only going to get three and I'm really glad we got four hens!

soooo exciting x

[fluffy chick]

Very

 

Definately get your birds in one go if you can.

[Plum]

Smashing site, can see why you are excited. Congratulations on your chicklet to be

[bigmommasally]

I'm thinking of having 5 in total. Would it be best to get all 5 at the same time so that they can establish their pecking order as opposed to getting 3 and then having to introduce 2 more at a later date? Decisions decisions...

 

As long as your run is big enough I'd go for 5 straight off. I started with 5 in a cube and standard cube run and had to quickly order a couple of extensions as they were too cramped.

Good Luck and enjoy whatever you decide, but try not to pee your pants

[ZoeBunny]

Progress!!

 

Despite the weather definitely not being on our side today here's where we are now...

 

 

Still got the lawn edging to put on around the bottom of the run, but almost there!! Those of you with clear tarps on the run did you attach it under the roof ridge on the house end (under the washers) or have you put it on top of the roof edge so that you push the roof underneath it when you take it off?? Thinking of putting it under the washers...

 

Is there enough room in my run for 5 girls? Hopefully they will free range for at least half a day, most days

 

<-- is still VERY excited!!!

[Plum]

I put mine over the roof so rain water didn't run inside

[ZoeBunny]

Cool beans... didn't even think of that

Over the top it is!

[fluffy chick]

[Sageandonion]

Looks great, happy chook shopping and congratulations on your little bun in the oven .

[ZoeBunny]

Thanks everyone for your posts!

 

Ok, now comes the most important part... what girls to go for???????

 

As I said I would ideally like 5 girls, and would prefer to get a mix of breeds/colours so that my son could easily tell each bird apart (different egg colours would also be a bonus!)

 

Maybe a Bluebelle, White Star or Light Sussex & Black Rock - with a cream Legbar & Welsummer? Nice range of colours there but would the breeds mix ok together?? Also, can't seem to locate any CClegbars or welsummers at POL (only chicks)... like I said I wanted to get all the girls at the same time so now sure how I'm going to do it

 

Any advice greatly received!!

Edited May 23, 2011 by Guest

[beach chick]

what a lovely spot, they will be lucky girls! I'd definitely get all 5 together, you dont want to be supervising introductions when you are even more pregnant... congrats!

[ZoeBunny]

Went to a local garden centre which was advertising pullets for sale to have a look at some breeds in the flesh and was disgusted at the cramped & filthy conditions they were keeping the birds in! Needless to say I made a hasty exit and will NOT be going back!

 

It has made me think whether or not I should in fact re-home 5 ex batts... typically I've just missed a collection by Fresh Start for Hens by 2 days and I can't seen to find another one planned until July... unless anyone knows of one sooner?

Edited May 23, 2011 by Guest

[fluffy chick]

You could give them a ring anyway, sometimes they have some left over. Not sure what happens to those girls

[ZoeBunny]

Almost set!!!

 

Getting my girls from 2 different breeders so I have divided the run down the middle for the entire length of it to keep them separate. Collecting 3 POL Hybrid ladies this afternoon so they will go on the left-hand side with access to the cube. Hopefully picking up 2 slightly younger cream legbar girls on Monday (or next weekend) so they will have to go on the right hand side. Hope the insulated cat kennel will suffice as a temporary house for them.

 

 

Have put Auboise & Mixed grit down in the run... with a sprinkle of bokashi bran. Layers pellets with a bit of grit, bokashi & garlic powder in the feeder and water with some cider vinegar. Have I missed anything???????

 

SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ubereglu]

By the looks and sound of things I think you've got it all covered. Have fun buying chickens!

 

I have a bluebelle, (used to have 2) and they are lovely, quite big hens, but very good for the first time chicken keeper as they're really friendly and good layers. My cream legbar is quite small, but despite being the smallest, holds her own against the others and is very daft!

[ZoeBunny]

The girls are home!!!

 

Sky was dark & cloudy so put them straight into the cube via the egg hatch... they are currently snuggled up together. They haven't wanted to venture outside yet but I'm sure they will tomorrow (left the door open in case they get brave)

 

So Cluckingham Palace now has it's first residents... Queenie - Speckledy , Camilla - Bluebelle and Kate - Sussex

 

Will post pics once I get some! They are paparazzi shy at the moment

[fluffy chick]

Looking forward to the pics!

[Chicken shack]

Looks great, what a fantastic set up you have given the girls. Just one thing I only leave the tarp on the top and down the side by the wall where there is no sun (north facing). It can get like a green house in the run. You will be surrprised how dry the run keeps with just the top covered and even in a bad storm like the one we had Thursday. You can alway put the sides down when it rains if you preffered. In the winter I kept the sides down to keep the girls snug.

[Plum]

Very clever look forward to seeing them.