knittingmama Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Hello everyone! Looking for advice on timing of when to go off and get my hens. Found a great secondhand Eglu Go at the beginning of the summer, so went ahead and bought it with the idea of getting all set up and getting the hens about now. However... a couple of complications. We are in an urban setting, with a small-medium sized garden, so the coop will be in a permanent location in one of the borders. (Planning on using aubiose or something similar and replacing when needed.) Just along from the border is where we are waiting for a garden shed to be erected... and we are also planning on doing a little bit of construction work on the house which will mean workmen coming and going for about a month or so, starting at the end of August. Oh, and I'm pregnant. Due mid-October. : ) In my excitement I thought I'd just go for it and get my ladies this week, but then I thought- would the workmen erecting both the shed and doing work on the house make it hard for them to settle? I didn't really want to wait much longer as I'll have a newborn in October! Thought it would be good to get into the routine of looking after the chickens before the baby arrives. But if I wait for the work to be done (possibly late Sept/early Oct), I'll have to wait until after baby. : ( Hoping the answer is 'just go for it' now.... ; ) Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I'd go for it you could always site the GO on the other side of the garden while the shed is been fitted which shouldn't take that long a couple of hours at most if the base is already down. And the chucks will soon get used to the comings and goings. mine loved watching the builders next door over the last 6 or so months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I'm no expert of how chickens settle, but it's funny you should mention construction and chickens settling in. We just got five young birds and they are in a fixed position in a cube, and a few yards from where they are, we have a 'massive' reconfiguration of the rest of the garden going on, and this has meant a rather oversized digger and dumper truck in residence for two weeks. Even now, there is noisy machinery going. The chicken..? They're settling in nicely, have no symptoms of being stressed, and whilst they ran away from the noise at first, within a few minutes they are at the wire, watching what's going on... quite the thing. Chickens are far more robust than we give them credit for. I stand to be corrected by someone with more knowledge, but... go for it..! and good luck... our garden has never been the same since we lost of last bunch, and I am really pleased to have a few 'ladies' back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knittingmama Posted August 12, 2013 Author Share Posted August 12, 2013 YAY! I only needed a couple of people to tell me it was fine! Yes, I suppose I could move the Go for a bit while the shed goes up, and by the time the builders start on our utility the girls should have had a couple of weeks to settle in. Ooooh I'm all excited now. Buk, buk, buk, buk. (chicken sounds) : ) Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Go for it ..No time like the present . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Need one more to tell you to go for it ? Go for it! I think it would be good to get into a routine with the chickens before you have your baby (congratulations, btw ). I've had work going on in my garden and the chickens weren't fazed by it at all, they found it fascinating to watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I'll add a "go for it" vote. Mine have survived various "projects" and took great interest in the laying of the patio for, and building of their walk-in-run .... That's like a shed!! Pictures please when you've got! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Another go for it from me too. You will probably find that silly things will scare your chooks. When I take grandchild out in the buggy or the pram the chooks don't like it Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 [quote You will probably find that silly things will scare your chooks. Chrissie[/color] I can hang the washing out and the washing can flap about but the other day I dropped a peg and they all ran under the hedge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 My girls don't like my son, they' come up to greet whoever goes in to the enclosure but the don't like my youngest at all, won't go near him:)also they tolerate me taking the cube apart and cleaning it but are scared of a blue saucer!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I'd say go for it too! I have had a new build going on down the croft behind me with grinders/cement mixers, scaffolding dropping and they bat not an eyelid now! Not a lot fazes them after a while from traffic sounds to cats (they do the meerkat impression at first until they know they are not a threat) Babies take a while but take their cue from the big girls. If I drop a peg as in previous post they come running incase it's a treat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knittingmama Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 Thanks, I'm glad to have found this forum. Have enlisted hubby's help this weekend to set up the run and we are definitely getting them on Sunday. I can't wait. Also got very excited on a walk around the neighbourhood yesterday with my two older children, because we spotted another garden with hens in... and their garden is smaller than ours with a trampoline right next to the coop! I didn't have the nerve to knock on their door to say hi but I might do one of these days. Will post piccies when I get the chance. : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
