Very excited!

[dgillings]

I'm very excited! Getting 2 pullets on Sunday. I've managed to as good as finish my "converted-dog-kennel-chicken-coop", bar a lick of paint.

I've given them a permanent area in the garden, fenced off  (3ft high) and chicken wire lined (but open at the top). This has been covered with about 3 inches of bark mulch for them to scratch around in... I'll let them out into the lawned area when I'm around, but for the most part they'll be in their area :) Hope that they like it!

Once my 2 Rhode Island Reds have settled I'm looking at getting 2-4 rescue hens to join them :)


VERY EXCITED!!!

[dgillings]

[shirlton]

Just a word of warning. The foxes on our plot can jump nearly 5 ft. We have a fence at the back of our plot and it's no problem for them to get over. Perhaps you don't have any foxes where you live. Sorry I don't mean to put a damper on your excitement but would hate to see your chicks in trouble

[manicscousers]

you'll not regret it, they're brilliant, we still have 13 of the 18 ex batts we got last year and are getting regular, lovely eggs from them, we feed them all the weeds in return  ;D

[small]

I'll echo the fox warning. The only way we found to keep them out was electric flexinet, which is excellent. Even that needs anchoring down all round though: there's no Houdini like a hungry fox.
Another thing to watch: if you introduce new hens to an established flock they will fight, even to the death. If you keep them separated physically but in sight of each other you have a better chance eventually.
Don't be put off though! We've stopped eating eggs since we stopped keeping chickens, the taste is incomparable.

[dgillings]

Thanks for the words of warning! :) We are mid terraced with no rear access (2 neighbours each side and garages backing on to us, but I will still keep an eye open for fox evidence. Our Dog is on the look out :)

Thought I'd upload some photos, as I now have them!! :):)

[shirlton]

Wow that looks lovely. Great to hear that you are in a safe environment. Don't forget the advice about introducing your new birds. I dont keep chooks meself but have a friend who does. I thought that they were quite amicable with each other but they do have their moments according to what she told me. She takes in ex bats.