Crazy_Eyes Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Yeahhhh! Just got my first egg today. I've had the girls (1 blackrock aka the boss, and 2 Sussex) for almost 6 weeks now. I was told they were 18 weeks old but have a feeling they were a bit younger - I was pulling my hair out waiting, every day checking the coop and nothing.....till today The egg was laid by one of my Sussex "Masie" - actually my sons chook - he's bagged the egg for his dinner..lucky boy. It's was pretty small, 50g but perfectly formed. All the advice on here has been great..and very accurate. Masie has been getting redder everyday for the past few weeks - bigger too, like a big ball of feathers. Best of all, laid in the nesting box....golf balls as suggested. I was a bit worried when we first got them never have had chickes. It's been a dodle...well almost. Some great tips I've picked up - Poo Pick everyday, just makes it easier when it comes to the big clean - Chickens like routine, I let them out at 7am and the free range for a bit. Then back into the run, bit more free frange from 5 and they tuck themselves up at 9pm - religiously - Get a red top fly trap - god send - treats are for after 5pm - not before....they'll have pellets and like it - fresh water everyday and top up the pellets - chickens love grapes - mine go mental for them. - get a bigger coop and run - I'm already planning a WIR. ebay bought one is just to small - Omlet chicken netting is great - keeps them in parts of the graden you can deal with being destroyed. They will desimate your garden if you let them. Yeahhhh! Just got my first egg today ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Great advice, thanks for that. I'm a newbie and will be picking up 3 chickens on 26th July. Do you have to empty their feeder at night to prevent rats? What type of coop and size of run have you got for 3? I am tempted by a walk-in run but for now they'll have their eglu , extended run and netted off area for roaming about whilst I save up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy_Eyes Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Hi Hammy, I went for a cocoon 2500. It's the biggest of the combo coop and run. The coop is plenty big for 6 i'd say, the run however is a bit on small side. They seem happy enough in there but can't bare to leave them in for too long. About a week after I got the coop and run I bought the netting - I only let them out when I'm around, works a treat. They like it but my garden is starting to suffer - I'm fine with it for now but definatley going for a WIR soon. I make sure the feeder and drinker is in the run at night - not had any vermin problems so far but have had mice before the chooks arrived. I've got a few traps outside the netting - 6 weeks and not had a problem. The chickens would probably eat them anyway - they eat everything else they can catch. I gave them some spaghetti yesterday - hilarious, specially when it stuck to their feet! I wish I'd gone for a WIR straight off the bat - may have saved in the long run. Would love a cube though - maybe santa will bring me one lol! Your set up sounds similar to mine - should be fine. for a while anyway...till you get WIR envy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I had a look at the photo gallery of peoples walk in runs and got WIR envy, there are some lovely set ups with eglus classics inside and ones with the cube joined on. I think the netted off space will be good to start with and as we have 2 dogs I want to get them all socialised and won't let them be alone together in the garden (and because of the urban fox risk for us). Also, because I want my hubby to get used to the idea of me dedicating part of our garden to them before I expand their empire!!! I'm really looking forward to being a chicken-mum but a little bit nervous too but I am getting lots of advice on this forum and from work colleagues/neighbours who have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy_Eyes Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Sounds like a plan! Like the empire quote - I already know I'll be giving up more and more space as my moreheans disease kicks in! Enjoy your new girls when they arrive. What sort are you going for? My sussex are a bit jittery, they'll eat out of my hand tho...as long as it grapes. The blackrock is fearless, a bit dim tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 The place I am getting them from suggested a Goldline, a Light Sussex and a Bovan Nera as they are all medium and she said were good for beginners as oppose to the other breeds that they have. My friends want me to get ex-battery hens but I am bit worried that I am not experienced enough yet to nurse them back to health and that the dogs might scare them. The chicken place 'socialise' them (if that's possible!) with their young dog and young daughter so they are used to being picked up by the little girl and will have seen a dog. My dogs have been sniffing the eglu and run as I bought it second hand and will sterilise it again but I wanted them to be familiar with the smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy_Eyes Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 sounds like you've won a watch there . The Ners looks quite similar to my blackrock actually Good luck with the chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
