Egg_x Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 I came on here over a year ago with the aim of starting my own little hen family however following advice we decided to put the idea on hold as I wasn't 100% sure we'd have the room for the right sort of set up in our garden, boo Now for the good news! My parents have also always been keen to start a hen family but despite having a reasonably large garden were concerned the dog mightn't take too kindly to his new companions. That said they are currently in the process of moving to a house with a much bigger garden that would allow for a hen set up (and keep the dog happy!) so we've finally got the green light!! SO excited Now just got to get back researching and buying everything Any advice greatly received for complete newbies starting from scratch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Hooray What do you want to know? What breeds are you getting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg_x Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 Hooray What do you want to know? What breeds are you getting? That in itself is a very good question!! When I looked last year I'd originally settled on going for bantams because of size but that's not so much of an issue now. Would like reasonably good layers though! Which breeds tend to be best for first timers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargazer99 Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 How exciting! I too took about a year to finally get my girls. Hubby built me a fantastic WIR and the chooks have settled in and are happy. We went for a Black Sussex, Colombian Black Tail and two Warrens. All are really friendly and all eat out of my hand and occasionally sit on my lap and I have only had them for two weeks. It's all cupboard love but that's fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 If size isn't an issue, most people recommend hybrids for first timers. They're generally fairly easy going (I said generally!), lay good numbers of good sized eggs, and are easy to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 So eggcited for you Do let us know what you get and what set up you give them. We so love photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Great news . Welcome to our world . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 How exciting, getting hens is one of the best things we have done. Look forward to hearing more about your chooks as the months go by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sezimodo Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Hi, We too are joining the chicken gang. We have nearly finished building a big run for them, with our second hand eglu original. Going for a couple of hybrids to start with. I'm trying to put together a list of the bare essentials that you should have to start with, like food and medication. Any tips gratefully received as the internet is failing me so far! Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Ooh eggciting times! I'd agree with the Hybrid route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 How exciting Sarah. I would get three rather two just in case one does not enjoy a long life that way you are not left with one on its own. I hope to get some more ex batts and I will get three as in the first lot Annie didn't live for very long. What hybrids are you going for? Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 How exciting Sarah. I would get three rather two just in case one does not enjoy a long life that way you are not left with one on its own. I hope to get some more ex batts and I will get three as in the first lot Annie didn't live for very long. What hybrids are you going for? Chrissie Yep chrissie is right, three or more s always best and the same happened with my last girls, poor merryweather only lasted 24 hours:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Hurrah! Another newbie here with my girls due to arrive at the beginning of July (after I've been on holiday). I'm slowly but surely getting all the things I need. I'm just working out how to protect the vegetable patch at the moment and filling in any gaps that might allow a route of escape when they are free ranging. There just seems to be so many things to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sezimodo Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Hi Cosmo, I know how you feel! I don't know where to start, other than a house, run, hens, grit, pellets and worming meds. we have lots of veggies in raised beds, but the girls cant wander around unsupervised as we have a few poisonous things in our garden - rhubard, yew tree and ivy, which cant be removed. The garden is huge though, as it their run Currently having the debate about how much to cover, and with what roof wise. Its already a dirt patch as the grass died off! Up the side of the house though in an area we don't use so that's ok. I'm liking the idea of 3, easier to get a pecking order too. I'm looking at basic birds that are hardy. Maybe an ISA brown, red ranger, bovan neara, maybe a belle blue or specklady. Any thoughts on what are easiest and forgiving for beginners!? Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Welcome all and how exciting. I have a Bluebell and have found her very nervous and flighty. The WIR section is good for ideas re covers etc and Poundland or similar for wallpaper s"Ooops, word censored!"per ( to pooh pick) mealworms for treats and wipes for hands and nest bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 We have ivy and foxgloves too but from what I can tell they won't eat it. Birds are usually pretty good at not eating things that are bad for them so I plan on doing some very supervised free ranging to check. I think I might just free range them in the 'ornamental' [read weed filled with a lawn in the middle] until I've worked out fencing off the veggies. The only criteria I have for which breeds to get is based on egg colour. I just want them to be distinct so I can tell who is laying so I'll be taking advice from the breeder beyond that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 My experience is that chickens also will go for the poisonous stuff... Mine will devour tomato plants, strip the ivy and demolish the hyacinth, snowbell and narcissus bulbs and greens. When given a chance that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
