Reggit Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 Morning all, I’m somewhat a newbie, so forgive the questions that have probably been asked before! I’ve finally caved in to my wife’s desire to have some chickens (the other choice was a cat, so chickens won!) We’ve just invested in an eglu cube with 2 metre run, which currently has no occupants. We’ve got 3 ex-battery’s due to be collected tomorrow. Was going to mostly let them free range, but can’t at the minute. now several questions... 1. I’ve put the coop and run inside a permanent gazebo with a wooden roof, with tarpaulin over the run, does this conform to chicken COVID lockdown requirements? As it’s on concrete, I’ve filled the run with about 3” of wood chippings, again is this ok? 2. Will the hens be warm enough in the cube if they are feather bare, I’ve had conflicting advice regarding covering the roosting area with straw for warmth - any advice? 3. Will ex-batts cope with the ladder or is it better to build a ramp? I know I’ll have to put them into/out of the coop for a couple of weeks or so? I’m sure there’ll be more questions soon! 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, Reggit said: Morning all, I’m somewhat a newbie, so forgive the questions that have probably been asked before! I’ve finally caved in to my wife’s desire to have some chickens (the other choice was a cat, so chickens won!) We’ve just invested in an eglu cube with 2 metre run, which currently has no occupants. We’ve got 3 ex-battery’s due to be collected tomorrow. Was going to mostly let them free range, but can’t at the minute. now several questions... 1. I’ve put the coop and run inside a permanent gazebo with a wooden roof, with tarpaulin over the run, does this conform to chicken COVID lockdown requirements? As it’s on concrete, I’ve filled the run with about 3” of wood chippings, again is this ok? 2. Will the hens be warm enough in the cube if they are feather bare, I’ve had conflicting advice regarding covering the roosting area with straw for warmth - any advice? 3. Will ex-batts cope with the ladder or is it better to build a ramp? I know I’ll have to put them into/out of the coop for a couple of weeks or so? I’m sure there’ll be more questions soon! 😂 1: Both will be fine. Hardwood chippings will last you longer, but soft wood will be fine 2: See how feathered they are first. Some ex-bats aren’t that naked. As long as they are dry and free of drafts, they should be fine, unless you get well below zero. 3: they often prefer a ramp, but should be able to navigate a ladder too. You could add a perch or stump next to the ladder to help them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 And yes, that does confirm to chicken lockdown rules (which are for avian influenza not COVID!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggit Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 2 hours ago, mullethunter said: And yes, that does confirm to chicken lockdown rules (which are for avian influenza not COVID!) Thanks, sorry for the confusion, avian flu has become known as ‘chicken covid’ in our house after I tried to explain it to one of the kids and that was the analogy he used. 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 Good luck trying to tell the chickens they need to keep their social distance! 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggit Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 2 hours ago, Cat tails said: Good luck trying to tell the chickens they need to keep their social distance! 😂 I’m sure they can form a support bubble 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggit Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 Just settling into their new home. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 Just a tip: lower the drinker and feeder and place them away from the perch. They don’t aim well 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggit Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 Lowered the drinker and feeder earlier as realised they where too high. All the hens have been feeding well. I’ll take that on board regarding the aim and move the perch forward now I’ve put them to bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 They are very well feathered! They’ll make a lovely addition! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggit Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 Just now, Cat tails said: They are very well feathered! They’ll make a lovely addition! I was pleasantly surprised after reading the condition of some ex-batts on receipt and pre-warned the kids they may look unwell at first. The one in the picture is fully feathered, one has a bald rear and the third missing a few on its side. They all seem alert and have been inspecting and pecking at their new home. Just peeped into the coop and they’re all nestled up together in the back of it. Looks like there’s loads of room in there, another 3 when they’re allowed out and I can extend the run - hmm🤔 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girly Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 Nice to meet another ‘ newbie’! Your girls look lovely. What’s your bike though? My daughter and (nearly) son-in-law have been building a walk- in cage for me all day and they haven’t been out on the bike for ages and can’t wait to be out again on the road. I guess they feel like the chickens - they don’t seem to like their lockdown and keep trying to escape! ( I mean the chickens of course!! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggit Posted December 13, 2020 Author Share Posted December 13, 2020 Well I didn’t expect being presented with our first 2 eggs this morning! 11 hours ago, Girly said: Nice to meet another ‘ newbie’! Your girls look lovely. What’s your bike though? My daughter and (nearly) son-in-law have been building a walk- in cage for me all day and they haven’t been out on the bike for ages and can’t wait to be out again on the road. I guess they feel like the chickens - they don’t seem to like their lockdown and keep trying to escape! ( I mean the chickens of course!! ) The one in the picture is a very early (1998) Jap import Honda CB1300, also have a 1996 CB1000 and a 1982 Yamaha 350LC - I’m not greedy 😂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria A Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 Hi l am also new at this l purchased a go up with a 3m run l also worried about the ladder however when my chickens were ten weeks old, l was told to put a torch in the coup and they will head towards to light at dusk; it worked l also have wood bark on the ground and they like scratching around it in so yes good call on the flooring. as my chickens are young and still laying l got an old single duvet covered it with black bin liners and taped it up so it’s waterproof and put it across the coup at night leaving the back door part uncovered for air. My chickens love corn on the cob so l buy it frozen a lot cheaper, defrost it and they share one daily, also sunflower seeds. we have foxes and when l let them out l am in the garden with them and to get them back in they will follow you if they see you have a grape for them, don’t underestimate mr fox my neighbour told me he saw the fox sitting in my garden at tea time watching the coup, they were inside then but l have been more wary now. it’s not the foxes fault it’s in their instinct however just be one step ahead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggit Posted December 13, 2020 Author Share Posted December 13, 2020 (edited) I was impressed that they managed to get out of the coop on their own this morning, jumped from the top rung of the ladder to the perch to the floor, well 2 of them did, one missed and landed unceremoniously on the floor although it was unhurt. I’ve ordered the coop light that fits the auto door controller, read it’s supposed to guide them into the coop as it’s going dusk before the door closes. Was cheap, so worth a go. Do you cook the corn on the cob or give it to them raw? May try that out for something to relieve their boredom. Don’t think we have any foxes around, but liked the idea of the anti-fox measures on the run ‘just in case’. Had to temporarily take them off to fix the run in the gazebo, however I’ll defy one to dig through concrete 😂 Edited December 13, 2020 by Reggit Autocorrect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 38 minutes ago, Maria A said: Hi l am also new at this l purchased a go up with a 3m run l also worried about the ladder however when my chickens were ten weeks old, l was told to put a torch in the coup and they will head towards to light at dusk; it worked l also have wood bark on the ground and they like scratching around it in so yes good call on the flooring. as my chickens are young and still laying l got an old single duvet covered it with black bin liners and taped it up so it’s waterproof and put it across the coup at night leaving the back door part uncovered for air. My chickens love corn on the cob so l buy it frozen a lot cheaper, defrost it and they share one daily, also sunflower seeds. we have foxes and when l let them out l am in the garden with them and to get them back in they will follow you if they see you have a grape for them, don’t underestimate mr fox my neighbour told me he saw the fox sitting in my garden at tea time watching the coup, they were inside then but l have been more wary now. it’s not the foxes fault it’s in their instinct however just be one step ahead. Careful with the bark chippings. Bark tends to go mouldy much faster. Woodchips will last you longer than bark chippings. Guessing since they are laying, your hens are about 22 weeks? They really don’t need extra insulation at night, unless temperatures get well below zero. I really wouldn’t bother with the duvet. Also corn on the cob has a lot of sugar, so should be given sparingly. Mine get the cob leftovers in summer, but only once in a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria A Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 Thank you for the advice, l better cut back as they get it every day, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria A Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 I give it to them raw and l have cooked it but raw mainly, l may have to not give it to them everyday as l did not think about the sugar level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 Yeah I wouldn’t give it to them every day, but it is a great treat every once in a while. There were lots of maize fields around me this summer and a few cobs definitely went missing from them ☺️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
