The Poultry Keeper

loreal · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 8 Location: lancashire

Hi we are at the early stage of wanting to have a couple of chickens, we dont want to go in to this blind and im trying to get advice and learn about looking after chickens before i learn the hard way.
Weve decided on a large off the ground wooden house and enclosing it in a chicken wire run. Looked in to ventilation and letting light in with a corrigated plastic roof.
As for the chickens we wanted to rescue 2 battery hens, allow them to settle for a month and look into getting 2 more at point of lay.
Also should we wait because of the bird flu or carry on with building our hen house.
Any advice on having chickens would be welcomed.
thanks in advance loreal

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Hi Loreal,

I would continue on with your plans...by the time you get your coop all set up and prepared, the supplies purchased and such, the flu will be either be in full swing or it will have passed without much to speak of.

I would like to suggest getting 3 rather than 2. If something where to happen to one of them, then you would only have one lonely one left. Being as chickens are a flock animal, you wouldn't want to be in that situation.

Take it slow...read up on all the wonderful knowledge that is already here and don't be afraid to ask us questions......the only silly question is the one left unasked. Wink

CP · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 12:28 am Post subject:

Hi, and welcome! Very Happy

I would say carry on with your plans for getting chickens as DEFRA are still saying that the risk is low for it getting here.

Do you mean clear plastic roofing for the coop/house, or just the run? The house, where they roost at night, doesn't need to have a clear roof.

I don't know what everyone else thinks, but getting rescued chickens is probably not a good idea for your first birds. They do have to have a lot of TLC & special care, but if you think you are up to it, then go for it!
It's not something we can do, unfortunately, as we don't have the room, but wish we could.

Oh, and get 3 birds instead of 2, as if something happens to one of them you will still have 2 to keep each other company.

Hope that helps a bit! Very Happy

Lisa · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Hi advice needed

Hi loreal,

Welcome to the forum and hopefully soon the exciting world of chicken keeping Razz

I personally wouldn't let the current problems with Avian Flu put me off. The more I read about it the more I think it needs to be put in perspective. Yes, it is something we need to be aware of as poultry keepers, and know what our obligations would be if it came here. But that is just the same with Newcastle Disease - another notifiable poultry disease of which there was an outbreak in England earlier this year... If you still have any doubts, check out the DEFRA website's Q&A's on AI.

I agree with the others - get a minimun of 3 chickens at a time if you can. If something happens to one of them, a chicken on its own is not a happy thing. If you introduce new chickens in the future, simillar applies ie don't just add one on their own or they won't have any friends for company and might get very bullied.

Personally, I would go for either 4 ex-batts, or 4 hybrids (assuming you want 4). That way you avoid any potential problems introducing new birds in the near future. If you do want to introduce new birds one way to get them used to each other is to have the new girls in a seperate run for a while - close enough for them to see each other and get used to the "strangers".

Do you need to protect your chickens from foxes? Most of us do - there are country and town foxes these days. So I would consider going for the stronger weldmesh for your run - there have been cases of foxes chewing through the thinner chicken wire to get a free meal Sad

Where were you thinking of using the corregated plastic? I think it might let too much light into the house. Chickens want somewhere safe and dark to lay their eggs, and a plastic roof might let too much light get at the nest boxes? I've never seen a commercial chicken house with a clear roof.

Corregated plastic on the roof of the run would stop the ground below getting very wet and muddy in the winter, especially if your garden is that way inclined anyway. I'm going to have a partially covered run for mine this winter, but it won't all be covered.

Also consider where you want to put the house and run, and if they could benefit from any protection from strong winds in winter- depends how sheltered your garden is.

It is also worth considering what you would do if one of your chickens became sick? It is very useful to have somewhere you can isolate a sick chook if need be - partly so they can't pass anything on to the rest of the flock, and also so they can have some peace and quiet to recover.

But the most important thing to do..... is have fun and enjoy them Very Happy

Lisa

loreal · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 8 Location: lancashire

Thanks for advice, Think we will get 3 or 4 from the beginning, their house will be in a sheltered bit down the side of the house, with a wall at the back and 6ft fence (congrete base at the bottom ) we we going to fully enclose the run with strong chicken wire.
what is the best material for their coop roof as i read felt attracts mites etc.
Other question what food do we need to get and vitamins etc.
and do they need innoculations.
Any information you can think of that will help us would be welcomed.
thanks loreal

nigel · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 9:30 am Post subject:

hi Loreal

for roofing I would look for onduline - it's available in most DIY stores and has the added advantage of allowing ventilation and giving red mites no where to hide.

If you buy your girls at POL then they will be on layers food, either pellets or mash, your preference really. I prefer pellets as there is less waste and less scattered around to attract vermin (either rodents or wild birds, both can carry disease). Layers should be freely available all day. Just leave the feeder and they can eat as they will. I also give mine mixed corn in an afternoon, it gives them something to scratch for, is an excellent treat for taming them and as it is digested slowly keeps them full-up over night. You might want to use Cider Apple Vinegar (at a rate of 2%) in their water this is full of essential vitamins and minerals and is good for acidifying their gut, which keeps internal parasites at bay.

I wouldn't worry about vaccinations, most birds will already have been vaccinated when you get them. The things you need to do are worm them and keep a look out for mites.

EDIT to correct percentage ACV

Lisa · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 9:42 am Post subject:

Food wise I would see what they are eating where you get them (ie mash or pellets). It might be worth getting some of that kind of food first. If you change over straight away, they might not recognise it as food.

Another thing to get is some poultry grit. Put it in a separate feeder or pot that they have access to all the time. Some people use flint grit, some use mixed grit (this is flint grit, plus oyster shell and limestone granules). Poulty grind their food in a muscular organ called the gizzard, and the grit helps break the food down. They can also get extra calcium from the oyster shell and limestone. There is some debate as to whether or not they need this extra calcium or whether a complete food should have it all in, but most people find chickens just take what they need, and leave the rest.

It might be worth getting a balanced vitamin and mineral supplement designed for poultry. Especially for when you first get them, for when they are stressed, or for if they get ill or are off colour. Their requirement for these increase at such times so it is a useful thing to have on hand.

Re vaccinations most hybrids will have automatically had all the vaccinations they need, but if you are buying other birds direct from a smaller producer it is worth asking.

Lis

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

nigel · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 9:46 am Post subject:

You're right Lisa thanks i'll edit the post

mojo · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 9:58 am Post subject: hi

well done nigel yes 2% is correct in water for apple cider vinegar (the cloudy one if you can get it if not the normal is better than none) but for best results use for one week then plain water for three i always do it on the first week of the month so not to forget.............another tip green stuff ie cabbage broccolli etc given in moderation helps health and intrest best of luck................mojo Cool