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Chicken keepers

Meet others keeping chickens on our Mumsnet Chicken forum.

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Original poster

Please can I join too (almost, nearly a chiken keeper)!

23 replies

herladyship · 20/03/2008 14:15

Have persuaded DH (with help from the two dc's) that chickens are a good idea

Have been looking at those 'eglu' things, but DH can't resist an opportunity to moan about all the DIY he 'has' to do, and so is currently busying himself with planning a custom built chicken enclosure..

So, any 'top tips' for a first timer still in the planning stages??

all help gratefully received

OP posts:

captainmummy · 20/03/2008 14:35

Ooooh I'm putting a watch on this thread i'd love chickens, but need a patio/garden first. I looked at those eglu things but they look realy small to me. I wouldn't like to be cooped (haha) up in one!.

tortoiseSHELL · 20/03/2008 14:41

I think you either love or loathe eglus - I think they are too expensive personally, but they are very easy to keep clean.

tortoiseSHELL · 20/03/2008 14:42

herladyship - have a look at my blog - if you go right back to the beginning there are a few pics of our (dh-made) house. I really want to extend it now, and build a walk in run, but dh is less keen on the idea!

Beetroot · 20/03/2008 14:42

you have to learn to spell chicken before you join

tortoiseSHELL · 20/03/2008 14:43

lol beety!

Original poster

herladyship · 20/03/2008 15:06

lol and at chiken!

will look at blog straight away..

OP posts:

BoysOnToast · 20/03/2008 21:27

eglu resale value on ebay often higher than new price , so not really that big a risk.
and apparently, they like to be cuddled up, so if youre only having a few, the little eglu is fine. i wouldnt want to keep them in that tiny run all the time tho, that looks well sad.

mine will be free range {foxes start licking their lips }

GentleOtter · 21/03/2008 07:55

How much are Eglus anyway ?

GentleOtter · 21/03/2008 08:06

www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Eglu%20Cube&about=pricing And you have to pay extra if you are 'north of the bridge' ie most of Scotland.
Sorry but £600 plus seems an awful lot of money as you could get a proper large hen coop for that amount.

captainmummy · 21/03/2008 09:18

Actually the eglu-cube looks a lot more like it - I was thinking of those tiny things like a bucket on its side with a lid. And the little run they have with it would turn anyone stir crazy.

Agree they are a bit exp. tho.

Original poster

herladyship · 21/03/2008 10:46

dh's current plan revolves around a timber frame 8x6 greenhouse (that someone we know wants to get rid of) and our dc's old wooden playhouse! i think space wise it will be fine, but i am concerned that it will be less than aesthetically pleasing as dh does not seem to consider 'it looking nice' as part of his diy brief!

what about noise levels, will my neighbours be complaining about the sounds of clucking?

OP posts:

GentleOtter · 21/03/2008 11:34

My hens are a fairly quiet lot...there is a bit of cackling after egg laying but generally they are peaceful little things. I cannot say the same for the cockerels though but we are a fair distance from any neighbours.
The old playhouse is just grand for a few hens and regarding aesthetics, we have window boxes on ours and that heathery/screen stuff over the roof. It looks like something out of Heidi.
Plus the old adage- if you want something to vanish paint it green.

Threadworm · 21/03/2008 11:35

This new topic has made me so broody. I WANT HENS!

GentleOtter · 21/03/2008 11:39

They are not difficult to look after Threadworm plus you will not have to buy eggs again.
A little run and even an old dog kennel would be sufficient for housing.

Threadworm · 21/03/2008 11:42

Oh you are tempting me. We have the space. Only difficulty would be teaching dog not to murder them -- and finding holiday care.

GentleOtter · 21/03/2008 11:46

Cod will hen sit-she loves hens.
No the dog won't murder them as it can't get at them. The cats might leer at them a bit though.

GentleOtter · 21/03/2008 11:50

NOT that we ever get away but friends or neighbours are generally quite happy to give feed and fresh water in return for eggs and a bottle of whisky. Thats the currency round these parts.

redwino · 21/03/2008 19:23

Threadworm... we have a dog and she has not laid a tooth on the chooks. Chicken poo however is another matter. It is caviar for dogs. She has had her nose pecked a couple of times.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 21/03/2008 20:38

I think a timber frame greenhuse would make a great run.

I'm wanting to build a big walk-in aviary for my girls but my DIY is pants.

If you put perspex stuff on the roof then it would keep the run dry which would be good. Would mean that you could put straw down for them to scrat about in.

You could maybe paint the wood a nice colour - bet it would look great.

Original poster

herladyship · 21/03/2008 21:06

we are thinking of a perspex roof with some extra shading, the walk in aspect definately appeals.

the dc's are very excited, ds (13) is thinking of names and dd (7) has been suggesting lots of egg based meals that we could eat! dh is grumbling a bit, but i think secretly he is excited too !

any recommendations for the 'right' number of chickens for an 8x6 run with a 4x5 playhouse for overnight?

OP posts:

tortoiseSHELL · 21/03/2008 21:11

I reckon with that space you could get 4 or 5. The run size is the critical thing - they don't need much room at night at all as they all huddle together. Mine often sleep in the nest box.

There's a special thing you can get for roofs - called onduline I think.

Original poster

herladyship · 21/03/2008 21:15

thank you, will investigate onduline..

OP posts:

ska · 22/03/2008 09:43

yes you should join. if you wnat an eglu try ebay as tehy are going for around £2-300 i think.
but ours is from flytes of fancy - really lovely and look nice in the garden as we needed it to blend in! once you get even 2 you will become addicted. our first 4 were a wedding present and they were the best thing we got. we all adore them and of course the eggs are great too

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