Help with decisions please before DH changes his mind!

[Blackpuddingbertha]

I've been wanting chickens for ages but DH has been adamant that he didn't. Finally today, after spending a weekend eating other people's freshly laid eggs, I managed to get him looking at chicken coops in an interested manner. Therefore I need to get some advice quickly before he reverts to his previous, 'over my dead body' stance.

So - hen house - been looking and think the Flyte so Fancy Cottage Hen House with 6ft run is a fairly good though pricey option. Will have three birds only but they won't be out of the run much (too many foxes so will only be out if I"m actually in the garden with them) so I figured they'd need the extra run space. Any thoughts/opinions on this house from anyone?

Breeds - any advice for choice? Is there such a thing as a good 'beginner' bird. Need something friendly so that the DDs will get involved.

Plus advice on anything else I need to know or make decisions on at this stage much appreciated please!

I would recommend an eglu (new or second hand) as they are so easy to keep clean. I have a covered walk in run which was expensive, but gives peace of mind - no fox attacks to worry about. We have had 5 girls for just over a year, there are three of us in the house and we always have loads of eggs despite constant baking .... three chicks is probably a better number to start with.

have a look at the omlet forums for all you need to know

DH will only consider a wooden house as he doesn't like the look of the eglu (and similar).

Will have a look at the omlet forums - thanks

Have tonight, after lots of research and agonising over the money ordered this with the 9ft run. Also found and visited a local organic chicken man. So we will be getting 4 hybrids (of various flavours) from him once run set up.

DH still not totally convinced that chickens is a good idea but he was very keen on ensuring that said chickens be as happy as possible . Also have lined up neighbour to chicken-sit when we're away. All good and I'm very excited.

Hybrids are a great choice. White stars are a little less friendly then most other hybrids (quite pecky and flighty) and some say blacktails are to, but ours sleeps on dd1 lap! Good luck, DH will love them soon enough! I never thought they would be such a big part of the fam as ours are, I'm truly addicted now, going to breed soon

Took the DDs and the niece and nephew to see the chicken man today. Wanted them to see the chickens and state some preferences as I don't think I'm going to take them along when we actually get the birds (too excitable). They loved it. Our niece (8yrs) just sat down beside a run for ages and chatted to the chickens! Chicken man very helpful again and said to avoid the leghorns as they can be flighty and may not suit our DDs (too excitable again! Not sure if that was in reference to the chickens or the children really).

My advice would be to go for variety of egg colour, as that is the most interesting bit for the kids, and also means you know who is laying and who isn't!

Enjoy choosing your hens! I'm desperate to get a new flock, I only have 2 retired hens atm, and I want some new babies!

Excellent choice of coop - it's very similar to the design of my own (home-built) one, and there's very little that I'd ever change about mine.

With regards to breeds, I'd suggest Welsummers. I have had both large fowl and bantams, and have found them to be friendly, good layers, extremely hardy and very pretty in their own way (not flamboyant like a Polish or Frizzle - no I don't recommend those - but with a beautiful feather pattern.

Coop is here, built, put in place, fox-proofed (fingers crossed), bedded, mite-powdered, feeders hung under coop. Getting the ladies tomorrow. Very excited .

Four ladies now installed at the bottom of the garden. Been outside loads today in the rain having a chat with them. Had to hoist them out of the house initially as they didn't seem to want to go down the ladder. Might be exciting trying to get them in again later. They seem quite happy though (if a little tentative) and we've had our first egg! The chicken lady gave them the once over when we chose them and apparently two of them are already laying and the other two will be within a week or two.

We got a blue, a speckled, a french maran and a black rock (who laid the egg and appears to be the boss already).

Glad it's going well :D

How exciting. Hope it's going well. Photos please!

Oooh - good point, must put up chicken photos!

How is it going? Once you are feeling a little more confident do go and have a look at your local Fur & Feather Mart, you will have an amazing choice and some of the old farmer chaps are very knowledgeable and happy to talk chickens for hours......whereas my DH tends to have glazed eyes after a while. Probably best to spectate initially and get there early to have a good look at the birds. I went to one at the weekend and now have 17 chickens and another coop

Thoroughly enjoying our ladies. They're very amusing! Don't think I'd be allowed any more though and to be honest four is plenty! They're all laying now so they are keeping us in a good supply of eggs.

What a pretty house that is! Glad it's going well.