Nige, a new member in the UK, Norwich, Norfolk

[Imp]

from Washington State

Just read a short mystery story about a couple who owned a post office in England. Very different from Post Offices here.

Imp

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Well, I gather it is easy to dislike Marmite. Even Marmite says so in their Love it-Hate it advertising.

Me, I love it. Some buttered sourdough toast, slathered with Marmite, a boiled egg sliced on top and a cup of coffee... brilliant!

Welcome again, Nige.

 

[write2caroline]

I think - looking at my little flock and seeing what my two Golden Laced Wyandottes do in the coop - all chickens scratch - they seem wired to do it.

The solution is maybe in the coop.

I have a catawabe coop - I built it from plans I purchased on line. But I think any moveable coop would work and you must decide what is best for your yard. I have a lot of potential "critters" in my yard and neighborhood, Stray cats, roaming dogs, kestrels on the power lines, owls, opossums and raccoons.

So my coop lets them "free Range" but I control for how long and where because I can move it frequently. Also due to the "critters" I added additional side panels so my coop looks like Old Ironsides but so far so good. The only mishap was when building it I let my dogs go in it and when I had the chicks in it - the door dropped open and my dog went in to play with the peepers and killed one.

I also plan to add some electrical fencing to further discourage the neighborhood and wild Critters from sampling my poultry fare.

When I am out with the girls - I lower those bottom panels and I have taught the dogs - and discouraged interest with a water sprayer to keep back.

 

[orplove]

Hi Nige!

Welcome from northern Massachusetts! I LOVE my Orpingtons! Mine semi-freee range in an electrified poultry net, and so far they have not entirely destroyed the grass. They do however pick out several spots to dig dust bathing holes, but so far have stuck to the same three. (we don't have holes everywhere

) Good luck and have fun deciding. Chickens are so addicting!

 

[Willjg]

Hey there! Welcome aboard Nige!

I hope you have a great time here on the BYC!

My Buff Orpingtons I have to say are big time scratchers and 'ground movers.' They love to dig and scratch for worms, and they just might do that a lot in your garden.

I agree on the Cochin or Pekin Bantams....They do dig and scratch, but the 'damage' is fairly minimal compared to standard breeds.

What it comes down to is, do you want the Large Eggs of a standard breed...or would you be satisfied with smaller sized eggs of something like the Cochin/Pekin Bantams?

You could always fence off a piece of the yard and garden and just see what yours do. All chickens have different personalities and habits in their foraging, so you might get lucky with the Orpingtons that you want.


Best Wishes,
Bill.

 

[Nige97]

Thanks to all you guys who took the time to give me the benefit of your experiences. Brenda and I have been to visit a lady in the village who ha three Warrens. They have had free range over her grass and garden for 18 months and though they obviusley dig and scratch under some of the bushes they haven't destroyed the grass area. I guess it is a suck it and see situation. We will jus bite the bullet and get some hens and go on from there.

I have to say that on reading about the Warrens they do seem to be a docile and very friendly chook and they are available locally so it looks like we will probably go for them. They are known apparently for large brown eggs (we dont actually care about the colour) and are good layers so that seems to be the decision made.

I have some pictures to post of us getting the garden ready for the chooks so I will try and post them up as an ongoing project.

Again, thanks for all the help and advice

Nige

 

[JessHall]