The Poultry Keeper

jooles · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:02 am Post subject: Some questions

Hi all,

I'm new here, and new to poultry keeping. I have been thinking about keeping a few hens in my garden for a while and having pondered I have come to the momentous decision that I am definitely going to get some. I have gathered some information, but probably not nearly enough.

I understand that the minimum number I should have is three.
I want full size hens, not bantams, but not sure what breed. Obviously I want them to lay eggs but I also want them to be relatively friendly and handle-able. Any suggestions?

What sort of surface should I put the run on. the area of my garden where it is going to go is currently graveled. Is it ok to put the run on gravel or should I clear the gravel away?

What is the best type of bedding to use in the house and nest box? If I use straw or shavings is it the same as you'd get for rabbits from the pet shop?

As you can see I need educating and I'd be very grateful for your suggestions. I'm sure I will have loads more questions soon.

Jooles

Knobby · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:08 am Post subject:

Gravel, no, bark chips, yes !!
Orps are friendly !!!
In the house use wood shavings or dust extracted sawdust !!!

Hello by the way, sorry its not a long answer....im rubbish at typing...!!!
Someone else will be along soon to explain more in full !!!! Very Happy

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Hi Jooles,

Best place to have a look for some of the answers is the golden nuggets section,

As for bedding in the house, some people use Hemp core others have different things they use.

for the nest box, dust extracted straw is fine (the stuff from pet shops for rabbits)

As for breeds, everyone has their own personal favourites,
http://www.kippengrabbelton.be/engels/index.htm

Has a good list of breeds with pictures of most of them, and details of their temperment etc.

debcat · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:51 am Post subject:

Hi,
if you want loads of eggs then hybrids would be a good choice
the best way to pick is to look at loads of pictures and see which you like the look of.
Light sussex are pretty laid back and freindly Very Happy

I use woodshavings in the house and nestboxes
Debs

Pete&Jackie · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hertfordshire

There is a place in Letchworth that have 13 week old Hybrids ready now, it is a well looked after place and the chucks looked fine when we went to have a look, they have about 8 different hybrids to choose from.

I have the details of someone in Cambs who sells rare and pure breeds, he comes highly recommend and I have spoken to him several times ans I am considering having a couple off him.

I got my 5 girls from Rob at www.orpingtons.co.uk which is in the New Forest, only a 2 hour drive, the place is fantastic and he has a selection of Orps and Wyandottes and the other pure breeds on his site ready at the end of November. I can thoroughly recommend going there if you can wait.

If you want housing, supplies, feeders etc then Colin at http://www.twopotsbantams.co.uk/ he also posts on here and I can say is the nicest and most helpful person you could wish to meet. (When are we getting that dinner invite Colin!!!??? Rolling Eyes

)

I am sure others will tell you of more but the ones above may be nearish to you PM me if you want anymore info.

I hope it is ok to mention places by name that have been really good to deal with... don't want to be told off! Embarassed

jooles · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 8:43 pm Post subject:

Wow ! thanks for all the replies guys. Looks like the rabbit straw is popular so perhaps I start with that, or maybe a mixture of straw and wood shavings like I used to use for our rabbits.

thanks particularly to Pete&Jackie, I'd be interested to know where the place in Letchworth is, I'm in Flitwick in Beds so that's quite near to me. What hybrids have they got there?

Someone has suggested Rhode Island Red x Light Sussex, does that sound like a good cross ?

Thanks again for your help. I guess the gravel is a no no then?

Jooles

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

jooles · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 8:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks George, perhaps I should replace it with bark chippings as Knobby suggested.

Pete&Jackie · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hertfordshire

The bedding I use is a mix of hempcore and medicated dust free wheat straw... very 5 star hotel. The hempcore I get from Colin and the Straw from Letchworth. I also use Diatom in the house and bedding which acts as wormer, mite extractor etc.

The place in Letchworth is called Thornes and is off the A505, they sell feeders etc but are quite expensive. They have Sussex Star, Bovans Nera, Bluebelle, Maran cuvee, Rhode star, Bovans Goldline& Speckled.

As I said PM me and I will give you further info if you want. We were going to have birds from Thornes but changed to the Pure breeds as we like the large size and Wyandottes and Orps are really friendly, which they are.

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

jaydee67 · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:03 pm Post subject:

If you're going to use wood shavings try to find a supplier that sells it by the bale - a lot cheaper than buying it from the pet shop.

debcat · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:22 pm Post subject:

Pete&Jackie · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hertfordshire

But don't buy a horse because they look stupid in a hen house!! Rolling Eyes

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

debcat · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:20 pm Post subject:

In the middle of winter I have a barn full of hens, ducks and ponies Shocked