Chicken Owners

[Oola]

Calling all chicken keepers

I've been drawing up categories and plans for my new henkeeping site for a little while. I've tried noting down all the areas of chicken keeping that I thought would be helpful to a new and prospective chicken owners, things I'd wished I'd known in the beginning, e.g. aspects of chicken health, what to put in a chicken 'first aid' kit (to avoid unnecessary vet visits!), what is normal behaviour (.e.g when it's pecking order and when you should separate them, broody behaviour etc.) different foods, what plants to avoid in the garden, different breeds etc.

I was wondering for all our resident henkeepers past and present (and perhaps future), what sort of topic areas do you wish you'd had to begin with? Is there any information you've struggled to get hold of?

Input most welcome!

[lily]

A bit off topic, but wondering how this will earn money for you? Could you get that nice Mr Oliver or his chum Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall to sponsor your site? Also wondered about hen keeping days at home.
Think maybe breeds are important, pros and cons of different breeds depending on what you want from hen keeping.

[Healing Hands]

For me Oola, one of the things I would like to know most which is the best food to give the chickens, even though I have read many books and they say which food to give but I am sure with people who have had a lot of experence with the chickens like yourself could advise on the best product and that is also healthy for the choocks.

[Pippa]

When you start hen keeping, the first thing you usually decided, is which breed to have. There is not always a very comprehensive or informative list of breeds, not just pure breds, but for 'factory gels' like Warrens and Lohman-Browns, which are very easy to keep, keep laying throughout the year, cheaper to buy and less stressful for a beginner. Just a thought.

[sunflower]

I totally agree with you Pippa. The 'little brown hen' hardly gets a mention on most poultry keeper and seller sites. Yet, they are fabulous birds, strong layers and extremely friendly.
There is a serious lack of information concerning introducing new hens to an existing flock. Even poultry sellers will play down the potential danger of mixing hens from the start. It can take up to four weeks, sometimes longer to introduce new hens to an existing flock, especially if the new hens are not laying yet or even at point of lay. The henkeeper needs to understand that they will need more equipment, such as a separate henhouse, a separate run or designated piece of land before even attempting to mix the hens. Flocks of hens are a close knit community and do not like newcomers to the point that the existing head hen will try to kill them. People need to understand that it takes time and patience and much observation and lots of hands on for the introduction to be successful.

[Oola]

I agree sunflower, we've been thinking about getting a couple of hybrids and then a couple more ex-batts, but it would be our first time introducing new hens to our existing 'flock'. We've not really found much advice, at the moment I'm relying on experience from henkeepers on forums. I've also struggled to find info on bovan nera hybrids and other breeds, so will definitely include a breeds guide.

Pippa I think Warrens also go by the name of ISA Browns, which were specifically bred for the battery system. I've also seen the name ISA Brown Warren, so I'm guessing it's the same breed? I've also seen references to Warrens being called Rangers but I'm not sure that they're the same hybrid breed. It can get very confusing!

[Healing Hands]

That is good advice Sunflower, I would not have known about putting new hens with existing hens, as I would like to get a couple of more hens.

I was told by a friend that I would be getting Bantums but not which sort, when they came I got Pekin and read that they only lay 60 eggs a year. They are very sweet and I love them to bits but I was hoping to have hens that laid a bit more then just 60 eggs a year.

Never mind it is all learning.

[Pippa]

Well, I think we have probably put any potential henkeepers of for life, what with 'killer hens' and confusing names. I have been told always to introduce new hens at night, when they are all perching or, shake flour over all of them, supposed to make them all smell the same, never tried it, didn't fancy the outraged screeches! I think Warrens, Babcocks, ISA Browns are more or less the same. I had about 24 at one time, we sold the eggs, they are nice gentle hens, really silly but rarely (crossed fingers) get ill.

[Sarahc]

I will certainly be interested in a chooksite. We have just moved and inherited the previous owners 2 hens and 1 cockerel, already having a few disagreements wit the cockerel so not sure how long he'll last but the hens are laying 1 beautiful large egg each every day. I did fear 1 wasn't laying at first but then we discovered a stash in the hedge - luckily all still fresh according to the bowl of water test! I have no idea what breed I've got so would be useful to have some kind of ID guide. I've found quite a lot of info on the omlet site but it's not really as thorough as I would like. Decent photos of potential pests would be handy - what do these dreaded red mites look like? I could go on and on here, I basically need to know everything!

[Oola]

Thanks Sarah, that's really helpful :) Red mite look like tiny little spiders, and I mean *tiny* - they can look browny or grey but when they've sucked on the chicken's blood, they obviously go red.

[sunflower]

I've just thought of another topic that needs addressing. Recently I have read two articles in different magazines that state henkeeping only takes five minutes a day. It seems that the writers think that, if they state the minimum amount of time, more people will keep hens. In my short experience it takes at least thirty minutes everyday to care for hens. Changing their water, topping up food containers, cleaning out the nestbox and house. Then, depending on your set up cleaning up excessive hen droppings to stop smells and flies, and of course egg collecting and observing the hens for a few minutes to make sure they are OK. Then there is the weekly clean of the house, and then the major clean...and depending on a person's set up this can be between every two and four weeks and can take up to three hours. Far from being a burden, this time spent is an essential part of henkeeping which genuine henkeepers will enjoy. This time does'nt include red miting the hens, shopping for their supplies and getting rid of soiled bedding.

[RebPax]

Hey Oola, as a potential maybe hopefully someday chicken owner I see myself facing a moral dilemma about the clipping of their wings. I'd like to see a discussion of this practice and whether there are instances when it is neither necessary or desirable , whether certain breeds are less likely to fly off (due to being heavier perhaps) or if there are any other alternatives.

[compostwoman]

I would be interested in a site about poultry...:)

and I agree Sunflower about the time aspect...I seem to spend a lot more than 5 mins a day!

I can't actually see how, even with a couple of hens, it could all be done in that time? IMO?

Oola, re the Black Rocks/Bovans Neras...I have successfully introduced 2 POL Rhode Rocks.( RIR x Black Rocks...look the same as BR) .to my existing set up of 2 ex bats ( Warrens ) a Calder Ranger ( Omlet Gingernut Ranger) , a Bovans Nera ( Omlet Mrs Pepperpot) and 2 Barred Plymouth Rocks.

As you know (!) there was a lot of kerfuffle for a long time and it has taken more than 2 months for it all to sort itself out, with a few minor injuries on the way...I would say that the most persisant offender was Henny the Bovans Nera ...who seemed to take great exception to the 2 newcomers who looked like her..:eek:

Before Babs and Goldie arrived she was the only dark hen, the others were either grey or brown....I have wondered if that made a difference?

Not sure if that is any help? its mid afternoon and I need a tea break...before I go and put the flock away for the night! :)

[sunflower]

Here is a question for all you henkeepers. Because of all the rain we have had, today I found moss growing on the inside of the run wall. We have a large walk in run which, strictly speaking should be waterproof. But it has been so difficult to keep it dry. The hens had a wonderful time today trashing the garden while I cleaned out their run and tried to scrub off the moss. Hubby says it wo'nt do them any harm, especially as it is seven foot up by the roof. However, I'm not so sure as the presence of moss means a damp environment. What do you think?

[MrZebra]

Regarding the "5 minutes a day", I think I spend about that much looking after my 3.

Every morning, I open the coop, give them a scoop of food, and clean out the poop. It really only takes a few minutes.
The chickens then spend the day wandering and pecking around.
In the afternoon, I give them a bit more food and collect any eggs. This only takes minute or two.
In the evening, I have a quick peek into the coop to make sure they are all in there and there are no more eggs, then I close the door for the night. 30 seconds.

As well as mucking out the poop every day, I do a full clean out when I think it needs it. All the old bedding is removed, and a new load is set down. This takes about 10 minutes max.

[MrZebra]

Here is a question for all you henkeepers. Because of all the rain we have had, today I found moss growing on the inside of the run wall. We have a large walk in run which, strictly speaking should be waterproof. But it has been so difficult to keep it dry. The hens had a wonderful time today trashing the garden while I cleaned out their run and tried to scrub off the moss. Hubby says it wo'nt do them any harm, especially as it is seven foot up by the roof. However, I'm not so sure as the presence of moss means a damp environment. What do you think?

My entirely uneducated opinion is that it will be fine, a bit of dampness in the air won't do them any harm. However be on the look out for mould, as that would indicate inadequate ventilation and may lead to respiratory problems.