The Poultry Keeper

dannyllama · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Hi everyone,

Firstly I would like to blame my partner for getting chooks in my mind ! She kept hens when she was younger, and it sounds fantastic to me.

I live in a town (Southport) and have a smallish paving slab back yard. I wanted to keep a few hens, mainly for the enjoyment but also for free eggs ! I seem to be on a self-sufficiency drive at the moment, producing herbs, rhubarb, mushrooms and cider Shocked

myself.

My better half advises me that Bantam's may be the best to keep, on account of their size. I was thinking 2-3 birds would be sufficient.

I have the following questions :-

Would straw down on the run be sufficient ?

Are 2-3 birds enough ?

Are Bantam's the best beginner breed ?

Are they particulary noisy (NOTE - a neighbour has a cockrell...v noisy) ?

Pellets or grain (mixed with garlic powder to minimise smell) ?

Is there a complete (ish) guide online to start off for beginners such as myself ?

Sorry for so many questions, that have probably been asked a million times before.

Thanks in advance,

Dan.

JustChickens · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 855 Location: Sussex

Would straw down on the run be sufficient ? Chickens would be fine on paving slabs, but a little straw is good to.

Are 2-3 birds enough ? there flock animals so 3 would be best Smile

or more!

Are Bantam's the best beginner breed ? I think the best starting breeds are hybrids that lay lots of eggs and rarely go broody, breeds such as black rock, bovan nera, white star etc.

Are they particulary noisy (NOTE - a neighbour has a cockrell...v noisy) ? Hens dont crow, strangely enough, the only noise you will hear is the occasional cluck, maybe and alarm squark if something startles them, and also when they lay there egg!

Pellets or grain (mixed with garlic powder to minimise smell) ? You can buy free-range layers pellets, everything a chicken needs + some greens + mixed corn every now and again (as a treat)

Is there a complete (ish) guide online to start off for beginners such as myself ? If you type "beginners guide to chicken keeping" in google im sure you will fine something Smile

Best of luck!

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:53 pm Post subject:

As for 'free' eggs -forget it - you will spend more on the hens than you would have in buying eggs - think of them as pets with edible benefits! Wink

They will be the best tasting eggs you will ever have mind you!

There is no reason for not starting with bantams - but remember that the eggs will be smaller.

Best online guide? The Poultry Keeper of course! Wink

All questions answered with friendly advice - what more could you ask?

Welcome to the forum!

CP · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:59 am Post subject:

Welcome to the forum. Smile

Nothing wrong with bantam eggs. Yes, they are smaller but just have 2 instead of 1. Wink

The yolk to white ratio is larger too. Very Happy

What breed(s) were you thinking of having?

dannyllama · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the responses and helpful advice. I am hopefully being given a coop from a fellow FreeCycler soon, so will be able to embark on this new "experience".

I think Hybrids would be the best breed to go for, as a starter. I appreciate that comparatively, the eggs are more expensive...but for me the pleasure of growing or making far exceeds the financial cost (within reason).

Will keep everyone advised as to my progress.

Thanks once again,

Dan.