Complete novice needing advice

[Words]

I am moving house in October and inheriting two hens. The owners say they would be happier with a couple of other pals, and am happy to accommodate that if need be,

They have a very large fenced enclosure and a separate dark shaded area under trees with coop, presumably for night time? Do I move them from one to the other at night? ( how? Will they potter over themselves?)

What food, bedding, other supplies do I need?

How often does everything need cleaning, and what would their routine be?

When do they stop laying in the winter?

Understand about rats and foxes , and have seen something about mites?

What other advice can you offer?

I realise I need to ask current owners about their peccadilloes ( sorry) but I also would like as much info as possible from other experienced keepers.

Any and all advice gratefully received.

@ScottBakula @OrlandointheWilderness

Tagging as old thread hope ok. X

I'm sorry to hear about the death of your lovely dog, that sounds heartbreaking.

It's great to hear that you're now the official owner of your chickens.

I'd keep an eye on the feather loss... it actually sounds like feather pecking to me, as you mentioned that she's the non-dominant bird. You could try increasing foraging or enriching their run with a change of scenery, etc...

https://grubblyfarms.com/blogs/the-flyer/how-to-stop-chickens-from-feather-pecking

Regarding the bedding/compost heap, I'd probably try to keep it out of their run for both practicality (accessing for the garden once composted) and as a precaution in case they ever get worms/parasites (to prevent reinfection). Having said that, mine have always had free access to the compost heap when not confined to their run (for avian flu reasons) and I've not had any issues...

Oh I am so sorry that your dog has died , they are such a big part of our lives I know it can be hard to get over the death.
You said it was sudden so hopefully s/he won't of suffered a long illness before hand and you won't of had to make that horrible decision that every pet owner hates.

I am glad you now have your two ladies ( it's been a long wait ! )
I hope they settle in well.

I have a image of you sitting with your afternoon tea of cucumber sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and Earl Grey while the chickens eat their afternoon corn 😃

A strong disclaimer I know nothing about chicken keeping but I remember years ago the stables that I worked at had some keen fishing enthusiast and the would occasionally leave some maggots and meal worms for the chickens and ducks we had.
They got mixed in ( live ) with veg peel and fruit scraps .
The chickens went absolutely nuts for them !
Perhaps your ladies would like this too . ( if other chicken keepers think its ok)

Thank you for tagging me 🙂

@ScottBakula @Poppins2016

I will keep a close eye on the feather loss. They have a huge run with branches, dust bath and foraging areas. I think I should have cleaned them out sooner, no excuse but I was almost paralysed with my dog's death qnd the move. I could barely speak so concentrated on the basics. Also my car won't start so reliant on friend for lifts.

I might ask my vet to call in as they live up the hill, and she ´ does' chickens and is very very kind.

It was peritonitis, probably triggered by a liver tumour. She was only 8.

Sorry to hear about your poor dog, you must be heartbroken.

It's best to keep soiled bedding out of the run, just as with any pets you should clean up their poo and keep it away from them because it's a disease risk.

I hope your vet is able to put your mind at rest re the plucking.

Hello. I am really not thinking clearly about things. I would never have done that with the bedding normally, having given it a moment's thought.

Things are better. The feather pecking seems to have stopped. The ladies run towards me now. I seem to recall now also they lose feathers naturally in winter? Alas the Haynes manual is who knows where in the Great Wall of Boxes. I will consult google.

I've called them Enid (Blyton) and Agatha (Christie) . They have a lot to say about everything. Having them is giving some much needed structure to my day.

@ScottBakula @FictionalCharacter @Poppins2016

Hope you three don't mind the tagging.

All the posters on this thread are cordially invited to a virtual version of the afternoon tea scott sensibly suggested upthread. A pot of home made damson jam for all of you to take home for your advice and kindness too.

Ooh I would love to join you , I haven't had damson jam in years .

As its getting a bit late for afternoon tea , might I suggest some hot chocolate with a drop of baileys/ tea Maria/ rum in ( just to ward of the cold and damp obviously 😀)and some crumpets with damson jam .

In all seriousness , I am glad the plucking seems to be stopping and that they recognise you, it shows they are settling in now.

Hi @Words how's things going in chicken world ?

Hi @ScottBakula I am a little more settled and in a routine with the ladies. I've called them Agatha ( Christie) and Enid ( Blyton) as they love to tell stories. They are fascinating and I could watch them for hours.

Best of all they have started laying and their eggs are beyond delicious.

My main concern is what to do with the soiled straw. The compost bins here seem fairly full. Do I just deposit it on the flower/ veg beds? Is it best to remove the poo daily and do the straw less frequently ? I've been doing it fortnightly.

Chicken poo is too strong to put directly on plants. It needs to rot for at least 6 months.
Remove poo every day and straw less often , however watch out in red mite season as they bed down in straw.
compost bins fill up very quickly. We give ours away to the local allotment society in exchange for veggies.

Hi @Words, I am so glad things are going well .
I love the names , have you seen that there is going to be a TV version of The Famouse 5 ? , I loved them and The secret 7 when I was a kid .

How did you get the plucking under control?

Fresh eggs huh , me jealous? No not at at , no one bit , nope definitely not.. ( >>>stares longingly <<<<) 😀

@Lollygaggle do you wait until its rotted for 6 months before taking it to the allotment or give it to them 'fresh' ?
It's a great idea of exchanging a by product for useable stuff , it's a shame it can't be put into practice in other walks of life.

They take both when my bins are full . They are very pleased with free chicken manure, it's powerful stuff.

Well I am now in a proper routine with the ladies. I find them enthralling! They run to the front of their enclosure when they see me and will take treats from my hand. Spinach has gone down well.

I love to hear their soft little voices also. Agatha's plumage now looks great. The pecking I think was just moulting. Her comb is paler than her sister's and I think she isn't laying but she is a speckled hen and her sister Enid is a copper colour and very vigorous with a red comb

The eggs are incredible .

It's so good to know they are settling in well.

Apart from spinach what do they like ? I know my local pet shop sells live meal worms , crickets and locust and a lot go to chicken keepers.
But you have to make sure the critters don't escape into the wild as they are not always indigenous.

How do you know who is laying the eggs ? I am guessing that they don't sign each one .😂

Signed eggs

It's just a hunch. I've read that a pink comb means they are off lay, and Aggie is in fine fettle so just an assumption.

Re the mealworms- I can get dried ones but have read different opinions on those so holding off. Would welcome any advice!

I wish I was a authority on chicken keeping but I know bugger all ( so am living vicariously through you )
This link is from pets at home .on the last line they say live ones are good as a treat but don't feed dried ones. It's a shame they don't explain why .
Hopefully someone else will be able to advise you.

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/advice/chickens-care-advice/chicken-food#:~:text=Finally%2C%20chickens%20love%20to%20eat,not%20feed%20chickens%20dried%20mealworms.

Mine get maggots as a treat from the fishing shop.

They are good, our vet recommended them when one of ours had a bunged up crop.

@Words The comb is sometimes called a barometer of the chicken’s health. Pale comb can indicate anaemia. But it can be just because she’s starting a moult, which sometimes but not always sends them off lay. Just keep an eye on her.

Hello - I suspect she is off lay and older than her sister. She is the less dominant girl but both eating , pooing and running about cheerfully so hopefully ok. She lost feathers a few weeks ago but now looks great.

I'm feeding layer's pellets and corn as a treat, plus kitchen scraps - cabbage, sprout leaves, carrot shavings and a few bean sprouts, broccoli, all gone down well. They eat from my hand now.