Re: Newbie questions.


"Morgan" <Nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:nCPwg.29198$v02.20083@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi, I'm thinking of getting some chickens but I've got a few questions
that I was hoping some kind person here could answer.

I've got a medium size garden (by UK town standards) and I'm thinking of
getting 2-3 chickens from what I've read it's unfair to only have one
because they're sociable).

Right the questions:

1. Are they likely to do much/any damage to my garden/grass?

How big - really
What is the garden -- is it mostly lawns and shrubs and perennials, is it
manicured lawn and bedding plants, is it veggies and kids play area?
While birds kept on the same bit of ground will work over it in short order
and raise it to mud - if you have a decent sized space with a secure
perimeter and the planting is mature then a couple or three free ranging
birds will hardly leave a mark. There may be conflicts of interest over
particular areas which are designated by the birds as a favoured dust
bathing place. I have one such against the house wall which a few birds find
irrestistable. Despite then digging a small area up the plants have
survived.

2. Does anyone know a UK website (that delivers) where I could buy a
reasonably priced coup? I don't have £400 for an eglu. :-) Or a place in
Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire where I could pick one up from.

There are a number - including myself who can offer this service.
It rather depends on what you call reasonable and your perception of value
for that service
You can get VERY cheap housing which has lots of design faults
I would LOVE to increase the range of the houses we sell but have issues
with the designs of most of the others which is why we sell the ones we
do -- they are the most practical for birds and people as well as being cost
effective. They last for years and work well.


3. What would be a reasonable price for a wooden coupe big enough to hold
3 hens?

It depends rather on where you live.
If you are in wet, north, then you need a house that is more generous as
they will use it for shelter more, will be going to bed damp more as the
grass is wet even if its not actually raining, and the nights are much
longer in the winter
If you are in the bright and dry south then something like our Stafford
Junior at £191 including VAT and carriage would be eminently suitable


4. What else apart from feed a nd a coupe would I need?

Feeder
Drinker
A covered area for weather protection and in case of any local Avian
Influenza situation for the foreseeable autumns.You do not need an enclosed
run the rest of the time and unless you are prepared for the management of
that space or are often on holiday when a run can be easier for friends to
care for them.
Somewhere to store feed and bedding, preferably in secure dustbins
Somewhere to compost the bedding
Commitment to open them up EVERY morning and close them up EVERY night and
friends / relatives who will do the same when you are away
If you have day time foxes, mink, badgers, dogs etc then consider electric
fencing to protect the birds but still allowing them a good ranging area

A garden chair and a glass of something you enjoy to sit back and watch the
girls doing what comes naturally
They are the biggest timewasters since ducks


Many thanks.

have fun and enjoy your new hobby/ addiction

--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk


--
Morgan
---
* ...I don't know how to teach, I'm a professor.






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