Advice for a new chicken owner

[SummerofHoo]

I've been reading this, which has been really useful, but is there anything else I should know beforeI buy my first chicks?

Any tips would be good.

[SummerofHoo]

Thanks Shigella. I've been looking at Marans today. I think I'm going to take the plunge!

How come you can't have hens? Are you renting?

[meltedmarsbars]

Chickens are definately easier than a dog - you don't have to walk them.

You do need to prepare for foxes.

[SummerofHoo]

meltedmarsbars, what's the best way to prepare for foxes?

We bought a coop and have made sure its fenced off, but is there antything else?

Thanks!

[thesockmonsterofdoom]

you can get a man or a dog to wee round t he garden, the main thing is to ensure the coop is fairly sturdy, foxes will chew through chicken wire, needs to be weld mesh. a skirt or lip round the bottom of the run will help stop foxes digging down. as much space as possible or they will fight, half what the coop recommendations are.
rescue some ex batts, it is the m ost rewarding thing we have done, watching them turn into proper hens.

[SummerofHoo]

Thanks, that's really helpful. As I write this my husband is taking a leak round the garden. He's trying to persuade the dog too, but he's not really interested!

[SoupDragon]

Think about what you are going to do with the eggs. I've been looking after a friend's 6 chickens and I've had 6 eggs per day. I can not possibly eat 6 eggs a day!

Will have to bake and give lots away.

[SummerofHoo]

We had our first eggs last week! I'm loving it - I'm making mayonnaise tonight!