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Post by andy on Feb 8, 2015 13:13:52 GMT
Right, i missed the chooks so much that i've taken the plunge again. Just picked up a reletivley small run....1.8m long plus the laying area x 90cm wide x 110 tall. This is all done properly and we'll hopefully be keeping it up on the decking next to the conservatory.
Now...a few questions for you.
As the run is on wooden decking, what can i put down to make them happy. I was going to do the decking in astro turf bu i don't want them to eat it if the run goes on top of it. I have several gravel trays they could have filled with dirt, but any other suggestions ? would they eat/peck at astro turf, would decking be ok for them ?
Also, now i know, morally, i should get rescue hens, but i'd like to get small hens with fluffy feet !!!! How many would you keep in a run this size....i was thinking of 2, 3 at a push ?
What do you think ?
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Post by andy on Feb 10, 2015 16:59:22 GMT
Well i've had a look at some of the most adorable bantams today. I know they're not great layers but they make super pets, which is ideal.
Im going to extend the run by about 1.2m so that'll give a run of around 10 feet so i might look at getting 4.
Any advice welcome
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 10, 2015 17:21:26 GMT
Well i've had a look at some of the most adorable bantams today. I know they're not great layers but they make super pets, which is ideal. Im going to extend the run by about 1.2m so that'll give a run of around 10 feet so i might look at getting 4. Any advice welcome I was wondering if you had decided what to get Andy - take some pics soon, won't you !! I heard from OM that he had had another visit from a fox and lost all the rest of his chucks...such a shame!! |
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 10, 2015 21:10:49 GMT
I couldn't be without mine andy. I've copied in pics from an old post I did way back in 2009 which shows what I set up in one of my old dog kennels which had a concrete base. Mine now have a run which is on open ground and attached to the kennel the other side of the one in the pics. I also let them free range in the garden. The chickens in the pic have long gone to chicken heaven and I've had a few others in between times, I've currently got 2. Its all very rustic and home made looking but covers all thier needs. This was taken from the doorway looking into the run. They do naturally need to have something to scrat about in and dust themselves so I made the soil area out of decking boards and filled it with soil but it was on a concrete base. I used to top it up with soil/compo from old pots etc as it needs to be kept freshened up  This shows the doorway into the old dog bed area  This is inside  |
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Post by andy on Feb 12, 2015 16:56:10 GMT
After much searching and research, im probably going for about 5 Pekins of various colours. Not worried about the eggs, just want happy friendly chooks.
Going to put woodchip on the floor with a large gravel tray full of either soil or turf....or both !!!. The run is covered so the rain shouldn't be an issue.
Going to jet-wash the decking this weekend then get to work putting the run together. Should be looking at getting the chooks around the end of the month (payday :-D )
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Post by Chuckles on Feb 15, 2015 18:24:26 GMT
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Post by chickengirl on May 16, 2016 17:21:42 GMT
andy, just read your post - what did you get in the end? Pekins are great, less mess and less destruction in the garden if they get out! Any pics? We have now added to our flock and now have four chickens and two ducks. Nearly didn't have any left as I arrived home this evening to what I though was a chicken doing parkour, but was in fact my flock trying to avoid the fangs of my jack russell which had somehow opened the gate and decided lunch was in order...  prised Lola (khaki campbell) out of his jaws and then spent the next half an hour trying to round up the escapees who had gone to the garden trees for a bit of a chance. nerves of steel, red wine and a very early night!! Chuckles, how are your lot?
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Post by andy on May 16, 2016 17:57:46 GMT
Decided not to get any in the end. Couldn't risk the heartache of having Mr Fox again. Ironically, my wife is the manager of a local care home and they were looking for some pets to go in the garden to give the residents a bit of interest. They've just bought some rabbits but I suggested half a dozen chickens, which she thought was a great Idea....plus they get fresh eggs for breakfast.
We'll see what happens.
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Post by Chuckles on May 17, 2016 8:17:46 GMT
andy, chickengirl, I've got 4 chucks right now 3 legbars and 1 grey speckly one. The grey one called Lucy has been with me a few years now and lays me a lovely brown egg about every 10 days, the others I've had about a year now Bella, Maggy and Suzy they lay pale greeny blue eggs. I get at least 2 eggs a day which is plenty, I often give a few away. Always fun, games and a bit of drama when you have animals chickengirl. Do you have a bit of a pond for the ducks, my freind uses a childs plastic sandpit for her duck to splash about in. That sound like a good idea at the care home andy, keep us posted.
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Post by chickengirl on May 18, 2016 17:41:50 GMT
andy, don't rule out the girls for yourself, there's plenty of ways to keep them safe.... The Care home idea sounds fab! Although they might prefer duck eggs - no as much mess on the grass and richer eggs which are higher in iron, protein and calories etc... Looking forward to hearing how that goes! Chuckles, four is a great number - great names too! Our oldest girl was looking a bit sad today and a bit hunched... I have prepared the boys just in case, knowing how fickle hens can be - happy one minute, dead the next! She was one of our first girls too, so will have to keep everything crossed that it is just a blip after the dog's antics on Monday...We have a pit type thing for the ducks, but will be creating a pond in our new patch when it all goes through... having said that, it will be occasional use rather than a muddy puddle.. (I hope) Our are Khaki Campbells which don't need to be able to swim - they are happy with a head dunk. However, they do jump in from time to time and I have brought them in to the utility room, but they make a really big mess very quickly! I don't mind, but my husband isn't as keen to help with the inevitable tidy up afterwards 
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Post by Chuckles on May 19, 2016 13:40:55 GMT
Hope your chuck has improved chickengirl, I've learnt how fickle they can be and have OH on standby  These are mine left to right, Martha, Lucy, Suzy and Bella at the back.  |
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Post by chickengirl on Jul 19, 2016 16:06:51 GMT
Chuckles,your girls are lovely. I have posted on another post - sadly, my ducks have been killed by my jrt along with one of my chooks. we are moving them all into the field at the bottom of the garden soon and will get some new ones which will be safe :s
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 24, 2016 6:54:41 GMT
Hope your chuck has improved chickengirl, I've learnt how fickle they can be and have OH on standby These are mine left to right, Martha, Lucy, Suzy and Bella at the back. I somehow missed this, what lovely girls you have Chuckles. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 22, 2017 7:10:44 GMT
Well chickengirl bought some land alongside their garden last year and have made a safe run for their chucks. A while ago they invested in an incubator, sent off for some eggs and today have had 2 little ducks hatch. Everyone is mega excited of course, here is a pic of the latest additions to the family. andy, Chuckles, have you ever incubated any? I know Ruth was mega mega stressed these past few days, dreaming about them when she's sleeping too.  They do still have some of their other girls who are happy in their new home.  |
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Post by Barbara on Apr 22, 2017 8:13:34 GMT
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 22, 2017 19:25:49 GMT
Barbara, Just look how cute they are after about 26hrs or so. andy, Rosefriend, Chuckles,  Willow is the brown one with the yellow breast and Fern is the yellow one. 
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 25, 2017 6:35:41 GMT
Barbara, Just look how cute they are after about 26hrs or so. andy, Rosefriend, Chuckles, Willow is the brown one with the yellow breast and Fern is the yellow one. These 2 little ducks are running round their new inside home now and doing great. They're already imprinting on Niall and Connor.  |
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Post by maggy on Apr 25, 2017 6:51:25 GMT
Oh how lovely and how clever to incubate the eggs and see such lovely results Congratulations to the new stepmum chickengirl, |
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 25, 2017 18:41:03 GMT
maggy, Barbara, thanks, they are so adorable are'nt they, I'll pass on your congrats, they were watching the eggs every day for a month or so while they were in the incubator. I hope they survive and grow for them, they've had their fair share of tragedies over the years with loosing chickens and ducks. Hopefully this new land and the coops they have will be so much safer but who knows.
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Post by Ladygardener on May 1, 2017 5:32:27 GMT
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Post by Rosefriend on May 1, 2017 5:37:03 GMT
What a great pic Ladygardener, - I cracked out laughing to start with as when I clicked on the Notifications I only saw the headgear - mind was racing as to why a rabbit was stuck in the air and looked decidedly weird....scrolled down and the laughter turned to comprehension and a smile and then an Awwwwww - sweet!!! |
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Post by Rosefriend on May 1, 2017 5:38:03 GMT
What a great pic Ladygardener, - I cracked out laughing to start with as when I clicked on the Notifications I only saw the headgear - mind was racing as to why a rabbit (looked like it to start with) was stuck in the air and looked decidedly weird....scrolled down and the laughter turned to comprehension and a smile and then an Awwwwww - sweet!!! |
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Post by Ladygardener on May 1, 2017 5:39:27 GMT
I had a similar reaction when he sent it to me Rosefriend. |
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Post by Barbara on May 1, 2017 6:25:50 GMT
 Ladygardener, I thought why a rabbit, then I looked again and it got worse. Lovely chick I found it in the end. |
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Post by maggy on May 1, 2017 7:50:47 GMT
Oh thats great a moose daddy |
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Post by Ladygardener on May 2, 2017 5:33:32 GMT
Barbara, Rosefriend, maggy, I have no idea whatsoever why he was wearing that Moose hat, boys, who knows why they do anything.
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Post by Ladygardener on Jun 29, 2017 10:15:59 GMT
Ruth and family have some more additions to the family. A mother duck and 5 little ducklings have been added to the crew. They're all getting on grand. I'll get her to try get us a pic.
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prised Lola (khaki campbell) out of his jaws and then spent the next half an hour trying to round up the escapees who had gone to the garden trees for a bit of a chance. nerves of steel, red wine and a very early night!!
