Over the Gate

Viva

Although I've only got a yard and some may feel that I can't give a chicken a good life because I haven't got the privilege of having a lawn for them to run on, I have got plenty of space, scratching patches and accommodation for them to have a happy, safe and interesting life. So ...

Could someone help advise what sort of chicken would be suited? Big chickens probably wouldn't be sensible but I would prefer something big enough to see off local cats should they dare. Also something agile that likes to scrabble about round pots, perching on some of the bushes and scrabbling through the compost pile? Any ideas what sort of bird? I'm only intending to get two just enough for some eggs and I am a beginner on a budget.
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bodger · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject:

I'd definately plump for two Warren hybrid layers. They are brown in colour, extremely docile and will lay you loads of eggs.They should cost you about a fiver each.

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true-game · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject:

You dont say if you can have or want a cock bird.

Old english game are always good and can live in most out door conditions. They are very hardy but they wont give you loads of eggs, but afew hens can give enough for the family. They are tastier than normal eggs IMHO.

They also come in loads of colours if you want variety.
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random · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:32 am Post subject:

I'd consider a couple of hybrids, like bodger said warrens, or maybe black rocks/bovans nera or speckeldy.

All are good hardy birds, not expensive to buy or keep

chickenstu · Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 463 Location: Nutbush city

black rocks are better looking
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Viva · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject:

No noisy males in this house! Never had chickens before so something hardy would be better.

Do chickens eat everything or do they know not to eat poisonous plants like ivy?
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dtalbot · Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 920 Location: Derbyshire

Ivy keeps growing over my garden wall from the council depot side (council claim because I'm at the top of a 50th cliff and they at the bottom it isn't their fault!) My chooks hide in it but haven't poisened themselves with it. They do eat pretty much anything else though, no problem the slugs eating my plants, the chooks eat the slugs then have the plants as pudding!
My little flock of 5 pekin hens, 3 aracuna hens, 1 Pekin cockerel and 1 Pekaruna chick (looking very cute now, fluffy pekin legs and feet fluffy aracuna head!) certainly supply me and the kids all the eggs we can eat from early spring to early winter with plenty left over to give give to family and friends. Don't know if they class as hardy or not but my pekins were my first chucks and survived whatever beginner mistakes I no doubt made!

kaz · Site Admin Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 6147

Have fun with whatever you decide Viva :smt117
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Viva · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject:

Well if they had unusual fluffy heads and feet it would probably freak out any potential predators. But I don't think I can't do fluffiness, I fancy a slick chick with an eager eye and the more slugs it has the better, planty pudding or not, I'm overrun with slugs and it's turned into a real battle that I'm losing! I've decided the greenhouse is a waste of space as just when it should be really useful for over-wintering and spring growing it just gets blown into a crumpled heap in the corner anyway. I may as well make some proper use of the space.

And I bought a cheapo paddling pool thinking the dogs might enjoy splashing around in it in the hot weather - no chance. So that's going to be a deep bed for scratching around in. Got bags and bags of home-made compost on the go already so plenty to keep them busy, I'll green mulch it on top first. And I am not beyond raiding the wormery as a treat every now and again if they look bored. It'll just be a matter or fate was is and isn't left in the pots and hanging baskets can be very useful at these times

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Whipcord · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

If you have plants about and you want all the slugs eating if I were you Viva I'd get 2 runner ducks or kahki campbell ducks-no worry of mites etc and they'll easily outlay a hen

cheers
chris

bullcross · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 172 Location: Mid West Wales UK

, see off the local cats?, how about I lend you my mutts or one of my rifles? :smt066

Viva · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

:q37: Cheers bullcross :smt064 :smt064 :smt064 :ROFL:

Runner ducks? Tempted but not enough space

. Thinking about pottering peckers really.

But they would love the paddling pool and under the greenhouse! Luxury, might join them :q33: :ROFL: .
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jainw · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 87

I have 2 warrens, and they are great, 2 brown eggs every day, and they are really friendly, in fact they love to come in the house and sit on the settee!!

They are very pleasing to look at, although not stunning like Pekins or Wyandottes, but a great beginner's bird.
POL warrens are cheap too, about £3 each.

Ex-battery hen (ISA brown) on on the right, the babies are lavender pekins and a cream legbar.
Mine have access to allsorts in my garden, and only seem to eat sensible stuff, plus of course scraps like old bread, pears that have turned to mush, carrot peeling, middle of pineapples etc.
Bear in mind they will also eat any veggies you are growing, plus bedding plants, and herbs especially chives!!
Also, rather than buy a hen house they can live in a garden shed if you have one, just make a quiet corner, filled with straw and they will soon find it and a pop-hole that you can lock at night.
If you are thinking of poultry, and use slug pellets, stop using them now so they get out of the food chain!!

Viva · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks Jane that was a nice post, I love hearing about chicken antics. I've got an enclosed yard so they can more or less have the run of it. I'm going to make a hole in the brick shed door so they can come and go during the day. I've got a mini greenhouse stand that I think will convert well to their bed. It gets really cold in there in winter though, what's the best way to keep them warm?

.... I must admit I'm having visions of them sitting next to me on the sofa with the cats and dogs at this rate [smilie=pdt_aliboronz_24.gif]
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Whipcord · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject:

Don't worry about heat Viva as long as they're dry and off the floor

cheers
chris