buffie Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I realised the postings have slowed down because of all the festivities and i just wanted to welcome new chicken and Eglu owners After a little over 8 months I can tell you it's well worth it and the worries soon fade. At the begining most of us are almost taking the chickens pulse every hour for fear they are unwell as they are a different pet to our usual iIdon't think I'm alone in saying you worry if they are eating enough and are they going to upset neighbours and will you know if they are unwell etc. The answer is you soon settle into it and the joy they bring, well just you all wait until the spring . It's not glamorous keeping chickens in the winter but I still love it. Getting muddy in the run and chatting to them in the rain. Use the forum to seek help and the chickens are a hardy bunch (obviously find a type that suits you and your needs), even if you experience or read of sad losses it's just an unfortunate thing that can happen with any living thing. Enjoy your girls and tell us all about their goings on, I love the first egg experience and try the grape run it's the best!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaS Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Hi BB. Lovely posting - just wanted you to know someone was reading it! And I'm looking forward to the spring - but still raring to go each morning so that I can dash downstairs (in dressing gown, coat and wellies if necessary!) to say good morning to my chooks and let them out. One thought though - what happens, come mid summer, when it's light at, er, 4.30am? Do I have to get up THEN ? Seriously, (and especially if, with holidays, someone else may be taking care of the chooks....), when should they be let out in the morning? It's not as if (like other hen houses) there is an automatic opener or anything (JAMES - ARE YOU LISTENING!). I'm enjoying being here! (Hubbie's out for the eve and children are long asleep (the joy of having young children) so I can forum post to my heart's content!) Cheers. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Donna, they can let themselves out in the morning I "trained" mine in the summer by initially leaving the door open, then closing it a little just so they had to push it gently to get out, then left it slightly less open and so on. Now, as long as it's not locked they know to push against it and out they come As far as holidays go you can leave the door open all the time if you haven't got anyone available to let them in and out morning and evening, as long as it's warm they'll be ok, although I'd suggest putting something over the eglu/run junction to provide shelter from rain, sun and draughts. You would need someone to go in to check on food and water and so on, to make sure they were OK, but early morning starts aren't essential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaS Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 Hurray Hurray Hurray! Thanks Kate - that's great to hear. Good news too is that the neighbours are going to Oz for 3 weeks at Easter - so I can earn 'taking care of guinea pig' points before they are asked to reciprocate! How are you? Will you be looking for a replacement for Sage? Cheers. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 I'd suggest putting something over the eglu/run junction to provide shelter from rain, sun and draughts. . Kate, what do you use? We did actually just leave them over Xmas in the snow with the door open as they are quite hardy. Ahh poor things though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 I did the Ikea shower curtain thing - it provides a clear, rainproof cover which keeps the run dry and most of the wind out, but they still get loads of daylight in the winter. I used webbing tape and bungee hooks frrom B&Q, see the link below to my album where there are photos. Album Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 Yes, I remember that from somewhere else. We actually have the winter cover which covers most of the run. I thought you meant you had a cover over the door. We could train them to push through the door though..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaS Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 I did the Ikea shower curtain thing - it provides a clear, rainproof cover which keeps the run dry and most of the wind out, but they still get loads of daylight in the winter. I used webbing tape and bungee hooks frrom B&Q, see the link below to my album where there are photos. Album Hi Clare. I've just looked through your gallery - some lovely pictures (and I can see what you look like now too ) But your hens are so beautiful. What are they? I can see that Layla has feathered feet. Is she a Cochin? Sadie and Ruby have gorgeous feathers - esp Ruby. Do tell all! Cheers. Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 Ahhh, I just posted this on another thread for you - we must think alike Layla is a black pekin bantam, she was quite young in that picture, she's now laying and has a more adult physique with a prominent chest and upright posture, she also has loads more fluff expolding from her bloomers! Ruby in the corner of the pic Iposted on the other thread has the most striking markings, she is a sliver laced wyandotte bantam (they come in all sorts of colours) and Sadie, the more delicate coloured one is a silver pencilled wyandotte bantam. They have got more rounded as they have started laying, which is a wyandotte characteristic. They are lovely girls and have such cheeky personalities, they are also less destructive in the garden. I must get some recent photos of them up on the gallery Thanks for your interest Donna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaS Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 Thank you Clare. I figured that they were laced something or others! Alas and alack - all of the laced wyandottes (regular size and bantam) are sold out at the place we are visiting on Saturday! Cheers. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 That's a shame Donna - they come in regluar chook size too. Have a look in the back of Practical Poultry mag or Country Smallholding, they often have loads of ads for chooks, split into geographical areas. Good luck and let me know what you get. PS they don't lay as frequently as a hybrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
