Re: Keeping chickens

From: ex WGS Hamm (alpha.bitchREMOVETHIS_at_virgin.net)
Date: 12/30/04 

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 17:16:58 GMT

"CaT" <Catman@postmaster.co.uk> wrote in message
news:iud6t0prgosshdb1d3v8ns1ucinilrbdgt@4ax.com...
> My wife and I started keeping chickens about 18 months ago. Our garden
> is about the same size as yours. We live in the SE of England. We
> currently have five chickens, one each of the following. Black Cochin,
> Barnevelder, Welsummer, Maran and a Blackrock.
> My wife wants a couple of Buff Orpingtons in the spring. They roam in
> the garden during the summer and don't do much damage as the grass and
> flowers seem to grow faster than they can eat them. However, in the
> winter they can totally devastate the garden and last year we lost all
> of our lawn! So they now stay in the run until the grass starts to
> grow again.
> We did not talk to our local council on the basis that what they don't
> know, won't hurt them and our neighbors are happy with the free eggs.
> They don't make much noise usually but like to announce an egg to all
> and sundry.
> My original coop was made from an old shed with a run attached. The
> one thing I found was the run was difficult to keep clean as it was
> only two feet high. This has lead to some problems of smell. I am now
> in the process of making a walk-in run which is far superior, but you
> may find that a bit over the top for just a couple of chickens!
> The only problems we have had is a bad case of Red mite in the summer,
> which was easily taken care of by a spray (marked harmless to pets)
> from the garden centre and a case of Scaly leg. this was sorted out
> using benzol benzonate which is available from Boots.
> If you are in traveling distance from Ringwood I can recommend a great
> breeder to get your chickens from.
>
> My family have had great fun keeping chickens and would thoroughly
> recommend it. Its great to see them wandering around the garden and
> the eggs are fantastic. One last thing though, remember they are only
> chickens, don't get too attached. We lost a RIR and a Maran to a fox
> last winter. The kids were upset but it was a case of learning and
> just going out and getting two more.
> Hope this helps.
>
 I think your attitude stinks frankly. To lots of people they are not 'just
chickens'. I am a small hobby breeder and get more than upset if I lose a
bird. The run you provided was obviously too small and if it was stinking
you have a breeding ground for bacteria. I would not want any of your eggs
given to me as they would be a recipe for salmonella . I bet you don't worm
them either.

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