New to BYC and chicken keeping in general! + a few queries!

oakeve

In the Brooder
Apr 8, 2017
13
4
14
Hampshire, UK
Hey everyone.

I've posted a few general queries in other topics but thought I would say hello properly.

I am completely new to chickens! Always wanted them, then a month ago my partner and I were clearing our shed out and thought this would make a banging place for chickens to sleep. Then it just escalated... We turned the bottom of my garden into a nice sized coop. Next day we went to our local farm and got four hens. Two warrens and two light sussex. Two days later, one of the warrens was laying already.

I am loving having them. I am so reluctant to eat Debbie's eggs though, only if necessary! (I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon haha) And I tell you what, the different between her eggs and shop bought eggs ( even if they say free-range ) is absolutely mental. We have had a few double yolkers too bless her.

We love the warren hens so much that we went back and got two more from the same place. They are getting on really well, no pecking or bullying which is amazing. (There is plenty room for more hens still
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So we now have six hens. And only one is laying. I can't wait to be getting a few eggs a day!

They truly are really happy here - this is the routine I have at the moment for them... I've read others.

About 7am I let them out, give them some fresh water, put some fresh pellets out and chuck a few handfuls of corn out for them. I also chuck in some grass, weeds, veg, just stuff for them to peck at and forage amongst.

Debbie goes in the nesting boxes to lay like clockwork daily - 10.30am. I put off visiting them until afterwards.

I clean the coop out daily - mostly just clearing any chicken poo and wiping any surfaces down that are soiled. Also topping up the straw (or hay, can never remember what the difference is...!) in the nesting boxes. So far I've completely changed the flooring/bedding once which I think is normal?

A few times in the afternoon I'll pop up, make sure they have water etc and are OK. It gets to about 1930-2000 and they all take themselves back to bed so then I just pop the hatch down.

I actually love being involved and spending time with them, as soon as they see me come out the back door they all gather up waiting for me hahaha!

I do have a query though, one of my light sussex - she follows me everywhere lately, if I'm cleaning their house out, she'll come in with me, if I walk down the other end of the coop, she follows... she lets me pet her etc but if I'm not watching, she'll peck me... Is this normal!? Is she trying to prove she's boss?

Also, what do you do for worming? I've not seen any wormy poos but just for future reference. They have ACV in their water about once a week. Also they have DE to bath in a few times a week.

On another post, I mentioned one of my warrens has a bent/broken toe - any ideas on this?? She is walking, eating, drinking, playing etc but I just hate the thought it's hurting her. It's not inflamed or infected. The farm said it will just heal that way.

Thank you and nice to meet you all!!!

Eve

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Greetings, oakeve, and :welcome! Pleased you joined our community! Here's a link that will help you with the worming issue: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/internal-parasites-parasitic-worms-in-chickens
On the hen behavior I'm wondering if she's just trying to see who is at the top of the pecking order - you or her???
Not sure on the broken toe....you might inquire here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures
And you can chat with some fellow U.K. folks here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/2199/anyone-in-england
Best wishes and thank you for being a member of BYC! :)
 
G’Day from down under Eve
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Welcome!

Thank you for a lovely introduction; your Sussex sounds adorable.

As you have already received links to some good starting points, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out
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