Hi i'm new and have a question or two!

[drewcole81]

Hello my name is Drew, just started to build my coop in the back garden, have a 6ft square shed and about the same size outside run.

I'm keeping it fully covered so the chicks can be left out all day without the worry of the foxes getting in, I have also burried the outside run in to the ground so there wont be any diggin out!

Anyway, I'm still to get my chickens so am hoping that someone on here can point me in the right direction.

I live in Maldon Essex and would be happy to drive any distance to get some good chickens, so can anyone tell me where a good place is to get some and how much I should be paying?

I don't want baby chicks, probably some that are older that can be left during the day.

Sorry if these are dumb questions!

thanks for any help.

Drew.

 

[2manyhats]

How many chickens are you planning to have? Your coop and especially the run size will determine how many you can have and maintain a healthy environment.

 

[jacyjones]

I live too far away to be able to help with stockists. I found my 2 suppliers through my local free newspaper. Look in there or ask at your vet or feed merchant for names and numbers. You want someone who sells point of lay pullets or POL and they will be mature and almost ready to lay - the best age to get them I think. We have had warrens and black rocks and they are both hardy and good layers. Make sure you do not get too many - your run is quite small so 2 would probably be enough. Will they free range at all? If so you could get a few more birds but if they are shut in them 2 is ample. I pay about £4.50 or £5 per bird but I am in Wales, you may have to pay a bit more. Best of luck and enjoy the birds. This site is really good for advice, also try the accidental smallholder forum for good advice.
Cheers
Barb

 

[drewcole81]

Quote:
I would idealy like to have 4.

looking at the design the run is going to be around 8' x 5' and around 6' high. there is going to be a couple of ramps and perches in the run to make it slightly more interesting for them.

The shed will be 5' x 5'.

 

[drewcole81]

Quote:
They will be able to free range but only when we are at home, evenings and weekends. I'd rather not when there is no one at home.

I was thinking about getting some Reds? Not really knowing much about the breads would anyothers be suited better.

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

 

[jacyjones]

Sorry - I am talking to you on both forums now. I think the recommended area in a shed per bird is 2 sq ft - not sure about the outside area but I would think twice that would be about right. If birds are too crowded they make a lot of mess, need feeding more green stuff and can start pecking each other. I would say start with 2 or 3 and add more if you think the system will take it. I find Black Rocks and Warrens to be hardy and good layers.

 

[drewcole81]

Quote:
Yeah that did confuse me slightly!

Thanks for the advice though, I'm going to make the outside run a large a possible I think 3 birds will be plenty for me to start with anyway.

I'll have to look up the breads, are there any you know of that don't get on!?

 

[jacyjones]

I have only had the warrens and black rocks and they get on fine - we also have a couple of ducks always and they all get on together. there is a pecking order of course but I have never had any major fall-outs! People on here seem to have all kinds of breeds - Rhode Island Reds and Sussex get mentioned a lot. The more special the breed the more expensive to buy and we only want pets that lay eggs - we never show or go for looks!!
Good luck and I would just say make sure you have everythiing set up before you buy the birds. They will settle in quickly and soon associate you with food and be very pleased to see you!!

 

[drewcole81]

Great thanks for the info.

I'm aiming to have the garden all done as it looks like a bomb site at the moment, I know of somewhere that has some chicks that are going to be ready by September so think I shall aim to get some of them.

Should give me plenty of time then.