Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[number1chick_2008]

Hi will be grateful for any advice -- we have cube up in garden (on grass to start) and will be collecting our four pure breed hens in a couple of weeks! Can't wait!!! Now starting to panic -- what are the basics we need to start with. Have been on an omlet chicken course which was great but have no other chicken lovers around us to ask questions of. Look forward to your replies.

[merlina]

Have you read the FAQs?

There's a huge wealth on information on a whole host of topics there:

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=42

 

The search facility is also very useful.

 

When I arrived I spent many useful hours reading all the back posts here - an excellent tool for procrastination too

 

And welcome to the boards

[carrotspine]

Hi,

I'm pretty new too. I got my four girls in May and so far it's been brilliant. I went on a chicken keeping course first too and it really helps. The forums on here are brilliant and whatever problem I've had (wet chickens, filthy chickens, what flooring to use, why are they fighting and many more) someone has offered some advice which has been brilliant. There are no other chicken keepers near me so it's nice to know there is help out there.

Good luck and welcome

[gavclojak]

Ok so my basics were, cube, straw for nest box, amboise for litter trays in the cube, food/food dispenser, water dispenser, diatom to spray everywhere, in the nest box ,in the straw, in every nook when cleaning coop and in the dust bath, poultry shield for use when cleaning out coop. And a big container to keep all your stock in near the coop. That's about it I think x

[redsunset]

Hello and welcome! Think all your needs have been covered in the last post. I spent nights reading I think nearly every single post on this forum and a few others when I got my first chooks over a year ago and thought 6 was a lot (highly addictive pastime as now have 28!! ) You will be just fine, as long as they have shelter, food and water the rest will fall into place. You will have loads of wasted hours watching them and spoiling them! I guess if you are in a fox area only advice is to make sure your run is totally fox proof, other than that enjoy!

[good_egg]

I'm a bit more obsessive than the people that had posted before so also had purple spray, nutri-drops and tonic - plus marmite as someone had told me that it was good for stress - they turned their noses up at it!! Food, diatamous earth, wood shavings, wood chip for run, grit and oystershell and a pet friendly anti-bac spray and rubber gloves completed my starter kit! Oh, and meal worms for taming/corn to get them back in run!!

[number1chick_2008]

Thank you everyone -- glad to know there's lots of folk willing to share their experiences Not in so much of a panic now, just can't wait to get them and get started! No doubt will be asking more questions very soon, not long to go now!!