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baublegirl
Beginner January 2007

Keeping chickens - anyone have any tips?

baublegirl, 23 June, 2008 at 08:03 Posted on Off Topic Posts 0 5
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Hi

I've been thinking about getting some chickens for a while, but more so since reading about all the ones that need rescuing because their egg shells are too thin for the supermarkets (was an article in the Metro about them last week - 13500 need homes or get made into pet food in 3 weeks time).

Anyway, we have a big garden (at least 100 foot) and two small boys who I think would enjoy helping to collect eggs and generally look after the hens. I've been looking into chicken coops and enclosures. I remember people saying that the Eglu wasn't much good before - but I can't remember why? Can anyone enlighten me? TBH I think I prefer the wooden houses with attached runs Like this:-

http://www.ideas-4-pets.com/pages-productinfo/category-247_197/product-2472/products-for-chickens-chicken-coops-and-chicken-runs-rabbitshack-small-chickenshack-chicken-house-rs709s-r-s.html

But I have to admit that the Eglu does look as though it's easier to clean and maintain. Any advice on the best type to get?

I hope that the hens would have daily access to our garden, although we'll need to renew some of the fencing first. Any other things i need to think about? How much do you think it would cost to have 3 hens - food etc? We have cats, but I've heard that's not a problem.

Thanks in advance!

5 replies

Latest activity by RuthG, 23 June, 2008 at 13:01
  • J
    Beginner January 2007
    Jacksmum ·
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    My friend has an Omlet Eglu http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Chickens&about=the%20eglu&rolling_image_id=2 and 3 chickens which lay an egg each every day! I think she lets them roam the garden most of the time and she has two dogs who don't seem to bother.

    HTH

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  • boof
    Dedicated August 2014
    boof ·
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    My friend's got chickens and she's got two Omlets. https://www.omlet.co.uk/ she raves about them. Easy to clean, easy to collect the eggs. The Omlets are in a big fenced off part of their garden so they're able to walk/scratch about all day. They've got one that keeps escaping, but it rarely gets very far from the coop before being spotted (usually by their dog ?) The fence surronding them is about 5ft high. Grace (2.5) loves it when we visit and alsways asks to see the chickens and helps collecting the eggs.

    I can't help with any of your other questions though, sorry!

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  • baublegirl
    Beginner January 2007
    baublegirl ·
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    Thanks Boof and Jacksmum. Looks like that's two positive votes for the eglu!

    I have to say I think it looks nice and easy to maintain, but i'm sure I've heard negatives about it, I just can't remember what.

    I've been researching a bit more today, and I'm really itching to start rescuing some hens and giving them a lovely home in our garden. Although our local fox might think I've just opened a nice takeaway for him!

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  • F
    Beginner
    Fred&Ginger ·
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    We are also looking at getting chickens, probably next year now as we want to be well researched.

    I don't like the Eglu's as they seem really small. Most of our neighbours have proper coops and they are much nicer.

    Regarding fencing, we have been recommended electric fencing. It will mean we can move them around the garden if they run out of grass. Just a thought.

    Fx

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  • Diamond Star Halo
    Beginner October 2004
    Diamond Star Halo ·
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    Can I crash and ask how much looking after do chickens need? I'm starting to think about it more and more, but actually I don't know a lot about it, in terms of how much the coop needs cleaning out, how often they need fed, whether they need much in the way of looking after..... enlighten me please?

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  • RuthG
    Beginner July 2004
    RuthG ·
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    There is loads of info on this forum http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/ and lots of xperienced chicken keepers too.

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