superfurryanimal 91 Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 just ordered hen house of ebay hoping to get it in the next few days, never had any before so this is new to me , they'll be out in a large area in the day, what time should they be put in at night in summer and winter ? a.t.b.sfa Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darbo 4,774 Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 put mine in at dusk. but usually find they go in thereselfs as the light starts to fade. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bouncer 51 Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 i used to shut them up when it gets dusk but they will go in when they are ready so you can shut them in then atb. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_stig 6,614 Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 likes been said they make thr own way in mine used to be in at 6 in the summer once one went in the others tended to follow ...winter time they`d be in and settled by 3 ish .. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
superfurryanimal 91 Posted March 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 (edited) are there any good forums anyone recommend ? what about rehoming battery hens ? Edited March 27, 2011 by superfurryanimal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
matt_hooks 188 Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 There are loads of chicken forums. There's the poultry section on downsizer.net, some very knowledgable people on there, and extremely helpful. Mine put themselves to bed about half an hour before sunset. They've got a decent sized run that's reasonably fox proof. If you have foxes around, you'll need to spend some time and effort making sure their run and house is secure, as charlie can be very good at working out how to get to them, especially now with the cubs being born. Ex battery hens are fine, they usually have plenty of laying left in them, and get a good rate of lay and egg size. They're normally pretty sickly when you get hold of them, and will look extremely scruffy with feather damage. They'll eat everything in sight, forget trying to keep a lawn as they scratch like mad, making up for all the time spent in a wire cage I guess. They'll soon settle in and take over your life given half a chance. I will warn you now, they are addictive, and you won't be happy with just two or three. I started with two bantams off Freecycle, now I have nine, and am looking for a couple more. It's great when they lay their first egg, and you won't taste better eggs than free rangers picked straight out of the nesting box. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ade33uk 86 Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 How much did it cost you on ebay .. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jo54 255 Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 How much did it cost you on ebay .. put them them in when they go to roost pal unless your going out of course Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darbo 4,774 Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 you can get them from places which breed for the battery hen industry. got some isa browns in jan £5.50 each 17 weeks old ideal for your first birds. very docile fantastic layers. good luck whatever you choose to do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
superfurryanimal 91 Posted March 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 How much did it cost you on ebay .. it cost £85 plus postage 6 nest boxes but no run which isn't a problem as they'll be kept in an enclosed area hopefully clearing a future veg patch! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moll. 1,770 Posted March 27, 2011 Report Share Posted March 27, 2011 I will warn you now, they are addictive, and you won't be happy with just two or three. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ade33uk 86 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 How much did it cost you on ebay .. it cost £85 plus postage 6 nest boxes but no run which isn't a problem as they'll be kept in an enclosed area hopefully clearing a future veg patch! if you need a run , get some chicken wire and i will knock you one up always got some wood lying around Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trappa 518 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Plenty chicken talk on here in the living off the land section. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
artic 595 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 You will be fine, they do all the hard work for you, so long as you make sure to feed them a good quality layers pellet, add fresh water daily, and condition them, just Good Husbandry Practices. Would you cull a sick or unwanted bird? Or would you go the vets to carry out the process? ££££ Buy/borrow a decent book, (there are too many to list) and ask lots of questions to other bird keepers. As for forums, again lots of them, just be careful on there. It depends on which catagory you may fall in. The nancy pancy I sleep with my birds, or I keep chickens for show/fun/ fresh eggs, loving the breed for it's looks and history, and knowing when to call it a day, and cull, not spending £££ at the vets for silly things..... Backyard keeper is the way to go. Often produce the best results. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
baw 4,360 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 As for forums, again lots of them, just be careful on there. It depends on which catagory you may fall in. The nancy pancy I sleep with my birds, or I keep chickens for show/fun/ fresh eggs, loving the breed for it's looks and history, and knowing when to call it a day, and cull, not spending £££ at the vets for silly things..... Yeah and watch out about taking advice from guys with fingermouse as an aviator......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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