lozkate Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Hello Forum, First post for me. I'm new around here. Its reassuring to see that most people on here are as daft as I am. I'm really keen to get some hens. That said I have a few reservations. The FAQ's section has put my mind at rest re. Finlay the black lab. Think he'll be fine anyway - hens will have far more intelligence the he has. Firstly, I worry about the local cat population, should I worry? Second. I have a big garden which backs onto farmland and two 6 acre paddocks. There's a 3'6" sheep fence which I guess most hens would clear in a flap or two. I don't think the landowner's bothered if the hens roam his paddocks but....If they get out will they come back (assuming local fox doesn't intervene)? Are they 'homing ' hens? Third I have a vegetable garden. Will they destroy it. Can I let them in it to dispose of slugs etc.?? Fourth, there seems to be a lot of hen-love going on on this site. Do most members only have free eggs in mind or are we talking eggs for breakfast and a Roast for Sunday lunch? Couldn't think of a more sensitive way of putting it. Penultimate, I'm thinking of converting a 6x4 garden shed into a hen house. Possible? or do I buy a cube? Pro's/Cons? Finally, How many chickens for about 1/4 of an acre?? Thinking of having 3. Most other Q's answered by the FAQ's so these are the final hurdles. Any help would be appreciated. Loz (and Kate) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 (edited) Hi and Welcome, I'm new to this - got eglu and 2 hens in April. A few answers - I'm sure others will fill in the gaps. Local cats - my local cats fight each other but don't seem to bother about the hens, even when they're free ranging in garden. I still keep a close eye on them though Homing - my 2 do seem to home but I've read of others being escape artists - I think it depends on the hens. Foxes - I never let them out of the run unsupervised. I now close eglu door at night since seeing (urban) fox on run at 4am. Gardens - my 2 don't seem too bad - other are destroyers as above - I think it depends on the hens. Slugs - mine didn't eat slugs at first but do now Fourth - we still eat BOUGHT free frange chicken portions - not sure I could cope with whole (dead) chicken any more (but thats just me being illogical) Why not visit an eglu near you ? Lists on this site Hazel Edited August 28, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Welcome! I would make the fence a bit higher and try and keep them in - quarter of an acre is more than enough for 3 hens (I would have more!) Most of us keep hens as pets and for the eggs (like me many are vegetarians) but there are a few (Lesley springs to mind) who do put them in the pot. However, I would say this is mostly a forum about hen keeping rather than hen eating! It is fine to convert a shed as long as you provide proper perches and nest boxes - but a cube would be much easier to look after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 (edited) Oh yes - it would be better to pick the slugs out of the veg garden and feed them to the chickens than let the chickens in to the veg garden! Edited August 28, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Hi and welcome, I don't think cats will bother hens, my cat certainly doesn't. You'll need to leave the chickens in the run for at least a week so that they know where to return 'home' to ! Be careful of foxes, most people seem to have a 'Foxwatch' and still supervise the chickens too. I supervise mine (i've got 10 at the moment - one was taken by the fox when i'd left them for 20 mins or so). Yes, it is definately possible to convert a 6x4 shed into a house, just make sure you sprinkle red mite powder around the shed and the straw / aubiose / shavings that they nest on. This would mean that you could have loads of chickens (That's what I would do !!) I would definately have at least 4 (or maybe more - chickens are so addictive !) Good luck in whatever you decide and please post some pics when you get the chickens ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 hello and welcome! 3 hens in quarter of an acre sounds fine...you could even have more We have hens for eggs only....but saying that - mine have had an "egg drought" lately - so have had to buy eggs....plus im a vegetarian too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Hi, I'm quite new here too and we have 2 hens in an eglu and wouldn't consider them for Sunday roast as they're ever so sweet to watch and are thought of as pets now, and we've only had them a month or so! Cats - ours are fine with cats and actually scare them out of the garden for us as they had a habit of using our lawn as their toilet - the hens go beserk with squawking when a cat comes into view! Fence - I'd increase the height of the fence to 6 ft or so - we have 6ft high hedges and fence around our garden and don't clip the girls's wings and so far they haven't attempted to jump it although I do see them eying it up sometimes Foxes - we always supervise ours when free-ranging as we back onto a dis-used farm and there are lots around - also supervise as our two being the nosy things they are find the one tiny gap in our hedge and try to squeeze through when our backs are turned! Veg garden - we odn't have a veg patch, but are growing peppers on our patio in growbags and every time our two think we're not looking they sprint over to them, eat as much as they can of the leaves then when they see us approaching takes one large mouthful more and run away only to lurk a few feet away to begin the process again so I'd advise putting some netting or something up around it or position yourself on a chair nearby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted August 28, 2007 Author Share Posted August 28, 2007 Hi All, 5 replies in such a short amount of time... WOW! and big thanks so far. I've already had an afternoon of random hen surfing on the internet (work is currently on 'hold' until chicken matters are resolved). It sounds very likely that I'll go for the Cube. I've been looking at them on the other bits of the website and it looks ideal (and a bit sexy). It seems to have wheels which means it could be moved around the garden and I can use my spare shed to store food bedding etc... Black Rock thingy's look like a good starter hen?? What say? Lovemychooks - Thanks for your help.....Red mite powder??? Pictures will be a few weeks. It looks like a cube takes 8 weeks to deliver. Chelsea - Thanks for the confirmation that 3 will be OK. Tina C - Many thanks. I can't heighten the fence any. Its on land that can't have fencing over 3'6" (without permission from some suited no-faced bureauocrat). Its daft but 20ft of the garden has 6" fencing the rest has to have the stock fencing. I guess I'll just have to hope for the best with that one. For the record, I was thinking primarily of egg production BUT I'm a committed omnivore when I can confirm the source of the meat. That said, I have a great deal of respect for the vegetarian who sticks to their principles. The way I see it is that a non-laying chicken still has a bit of protein left to offer albeit in a long stew of some kind (apologies vegetarians). I guess Kate and the kids might have grown fond of it by then though so plans will be amended. The main reason for the question was to ensure I didn't upset anyone on the forum with clumsy references. Ettiquette! Hazel - Good news about the slugs - I guess I'll let them in to the veg under supervision only. Perhaps when watering. Company will be nice the dog won't go near the hose pipe! Once again thanks all. Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted August 28, 2007 Author Share Posted August 28, 2007 Arowland, I think we were typing at the same time. Good to know about the peppers! Ive got some but they're in the greenhouses. All the veg is in raised beds in a separate (fenced of area). I'll supervise when they're in there!! We also back onto farmland but don't see foxes at all. No doubt we will once the chooks are in. Thnaks again. Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogs Too Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Whats all this, new to the forum and insulting Dogs!!!! A sensible point, my chicks are behind 3ft plastic netting on poly posts ( designed for electric fences) and they CAN get over but don't bother unless they see me with the corn scoop! Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 lozkate Red Mite Powder is to keep red mites at bay. They are mites that suck the blood out of the chicken at night and hide in cracks and crevices in wooden houses but I don't think i've heard of thinking 'setting up camp' in an eglu apart from recently where someone had a few in the door to the egg port. There might be more information on the Chicken Clinic topic. Hope this helps and good luck with the chickens, how ever many you decide on ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted August 28, 2007 Author Share Posted August 28, 2007 Dogs too, He's a black labrador with all the intelligence of a melted icecream. 2.5 years young and mad as a balloon. I feel justified in my comments as factual representation of actual situation rather than insulting!! The 3ft fence is electrified (mainly to stop kids going in with the horses and getting hoofed) so might deter the foxes from coming in the garden (hopefully). Thanks for all the support. Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Hi and welcome Loz! A cube definitely has an advantage over a shed - easier to clean and prevent red mites which can be a major problem in wooden hen houses. I think most hens tend to stay where the food is - your garden sounds ideal. I let mine have supervised access to flower and veg beds in order to weed and de-pest. They do a great job of clearing, weeding and raking the soil ready for planting! If you can't bear to eat favourite layers, why not buy some young 'eaters' (not much meat on layers anyway), raise them for the pot and call them all 'Dinner'. You have the space for layers and eaters. All the best, I'm sure you'll love'em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 If you can't bear to eat favourite layers, why not buy some young 'eaters' (not much meat on layers anyway), raise them for the pot and call them all 'Dinner'. You have the space for layers and eaters. All the best, I'm sure you'll love'em! Welcome to the forum, Loz Dinner indeed! Snowy, that made me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 Welcome. Can't add much to what everyone else has said..except a cube will be sooo much easier to look after. Re the fence...could you rig up some netting which could be removed if the faceless yes men show up? It could be used to protect your veg patch if the hens are free ranging. Make enquiries locally about foxes...but always assume that there is one in the vicinity to be on the safe side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted August 29, 2007 Author Share Posted August 29, 2007 All, How good is this I started the year with a half-cocked (pun intended) idea that it would be good to have a chicken (one). I made no progress until Sunday when I discovered online chickens here. I'm now about to click the button on a cube and lots of feathery friends....Thnaks to y'all. Excellent! Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 Fabulous - you're making excellent progress How exciting !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 you won't regret it! Looks like most of your questions have been answered. Just for the record - I still eat chicken, but only organic, free-range meat. That rules out most chicken meals in restaurants, pubs, burger bars etc! I wouldn't dream of eating one of mine, for a start I'd have to kill, pluck and draw it - not a job for the faint-hearted and certainly not one I could do. When they stop laying, they will remain as delightful live garden ornaments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted August 29, 2007 Author Share Posted August 29, 2007 Olly, For my sins I mostly try to eat meat that I know has had a half decent life. I 'do' my own fish and pigeons and have a supply of 'complete' game that I deal with on a regular basis so despatching and dealing with a chicken is not a problem for me. I like the previous post which suggests raising eaters and keeping them separate from layers. I think I'll leave that alone until I've had the layers for a while. I realise now that will upset a few, which I fully understand, so I think I'll leave that subject well alone from now on! I've got my sights set on my first (Hugh Fearnley style) one egg-one courgette souffle entirely (ex milk and flour) from the garden. Exited is not the word! Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
