bokbok87 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Hello All, I got my 4 lovely hybrids on Sunday and they have settled in well however I have two queries which I would love any of you lovely guys to address. One - has anyone had any chooks taken? The reason I am asking is I have very small fences in London which can easily be climbed over and I am end of terrace meaning anyone in can look into our garden if they walk down our alley way to get to their houses. Would anyone steal then and should I someone secure them? Secondly my ladies aren't POL and are a bit younger. The breeder I got them from hasn't handled them very much and I need to somehow tame them and not to be cared of me! I have been hand feeding them but 2 completely refuse.....even with meal-worms. Any ideas? Thirdly living in London I am struglling to get wood chips for their run. Does anyone have any ideas where I can get them cheap? I bought them for almost £20 for only 70Litres......very pricey. Thanks so much in advance! I really appreciate any help especially since I am so new to this all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsunset Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Hello, and welcome to the forum! Lovely to get your first chooks! Re the stealing, well is there any way to put a wee padlock on run door if you're worried? Wood chips...have you tried calling any tree surgeons in your area as they could maybe do a bulk delivery quite cheaply as saves them dumping it and landfill costs? Some Londoners will be here soon re that one as I am totally opposite you geographically! As for the chooks being scared of you, my first six were too, but patience and the hand that feeds 'brings treats' will in time have them almost tripping you up! Lots of lovely people on here with a ton of advice and remember to ask anything as no question is to silly, we all start somewhere and I learnt a lot on here from reading others posts and just plain old asking..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Welcome to the wonderful world of chicken keeping . I agree a padlock. I live on an estate in a terrace block and have never had a problem .. More worried about foxes. It takes a while for them to get used to you .Even if the breeder had not handled them they would not be used to you. Just keep sitting by them ,talking to them and having a treat ready like dried meal worms (from £1 shops)so you can hold your hand out flat and they will come in the end. Not all chickens are the same though .I have had a lovely Bluebell since January and she still thinks I am the mother from hell and won't come any where near me but she is getting better. Wood chip may be £20 but it does last a while .If you poo pick every day , i use an old BBQ spatula and rake it all over. A tree surgeon is also a great idea. Jackie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Do you mean white wood chip like you would use for horses? Try this web site, I use it all the time, they are fantastic - www.farmandpetplace.co.uk. Their prices are brilliant and delivery isn't too expensive, and very efficient. I use bed max or easichick from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Something like Easichick or Snowflake Softchip would be ok for the run if its reasonably sheltered. If it has a full cover or roof then even woodshavings of the harder type such as the Bedmax suggested above would be fine. B&Q sell woodchips if you have one nearby. to tame the birds remove them from the coop about half an hour or more after they go to bed, they are usually very quiet and docile at this time, learn to hold them properly and this will cut down on any flapping. It comes to something when you google for a demonstration pic and nearly all the chickens are being held incorrectly but this lady has it about right (scroll down) if you trap their legs between the fingers on your upturned palm under their body they dont flap http://frangallo.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/visit-to-vashon-island/ With reference to thefts, this is sadly on the increase and I have been a victim however the targets are normally pure bred chickens that have a breeding value. I would say that garden chickens are pretty safe in the great scheme of things so dont worry too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Interesting point about holding them - never having been taught, I've always pinioned the wings and then clasped them to me so they don't flap. When I collected my last lot the breeder showed me how to hold them like that picture - finger between the legs and one either side - and it's absolutely true, they sit calmly on your hand. If they do flap a little you just bring them in closer to your body. I wish I'd learned this at the outset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 The seller where I got my chickens from, just grabbed their wings at the base. She was holding all three chicks in one hand... I'm going to try this when I get back from holiday. And not with Ginger because she is a screamer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Leia Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Agree with the comment above, try finding a local tree surgeon and ask him if he can supply hardwood chippings (not chipped softwood or bark). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bokbok87 Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) Thanks! Edited August 1, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bokbok87 Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 Hello all, Thanks for the replies so far! I will definitely think of putting a lock on the run - everyone in my area wants to know what everyone else is doing! Didn't think about b and q and the price isn't bad at all - willl definitely be picking some up on the weekend! I want to put my run on concrete and put the chippings and bark in the run itself. Within a week my grass is already destroyed! Now that they have settled a bit more I will let them roam around that garden and try to handle them more often. At current I have hybrid that likes to peck me anytime I go near the run or put food and water out! I'm sure that will change with time. Handling a chicken I presume is quite similar to holding a baby. You don't know how to do it at firs but once you've done it a few times It becomes more natural!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
