The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: jarvisgav1964 on January 07, 2013, 12:42:31 pm

Title: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: jarvisgav1964 on January 07, 2013, 12:42:31 pm
Just browsing the web and came across this friendly looking and informative site.
Come April 2013 we will have had our six chickens for two years, four black rocks and two marins...
Firstly it was hard to imagine my jack russell would ever accept them but he has finally/grudgingly
The eggs are so tasty and the birds are such charachters good fun watching them root about.
The question I was going to ask was, does anyone have an ideal feeder, we have the circular galvanized gravity feeder but the little devils seem to wazz most of it onto the floor with their head flicking feeding habit, wondered if a wall hung feeder would be any less wasteful?

any thoughts appreciated....

 
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: happygolucky on January 07, 2013, 12:51:53 pm
Hi,  :wave: , I am in Central Scotland but on the move one day, I like it in your area, handy as well. I had a few more chickens around 15 but got rid off all but 4 black rocks due to selling our house, not sold yet and I would like more one day!!! I feed ours in a normal feeder on the floor then scatter some to get them looking, although they are all over the top part of the garden so roam around a bit...its the water container I struggle with, I now use any low container, sometime, the plastic trough window box type, its not frozen much so far so not had cracked ones, I also  put water into a bird bath but not had to re fill for a while due to mother nature doing it for me  :gloomy:
I find chickens fascinating too so would like to start again and like you say, nothing like your own hens eggs!!
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: jarvisgav1964 on January 07, 2013, 01:00:29 pm
when i first built their run it was an undulating adventure playground within 100m2 it was soon apparent that this was not enough, started off with four, not long after they had the run of the garden, quite amazing how their little scarifying legs can destroy all vegetation!! still fun to watch, especially when i come into kitchen and they all come running down for food, tapping at window now as i'm typing..
i am self employed as of last year, june, worked on golf courses all my life so not too worried about state of garden it always comes back.

Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: happygolucky on January 07, 2013, 01:23:24 pm
I tried to plant stuff but only shrubs or trees survive in there bit...you should see my husband pick when they get over into his flowers.    :excited:
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: HappyHippy on January 07, 2013, 01:26:09 pm
Hello from me in Lesmahagow  :wave: Welcome to TAS  ;D
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: Rosemary on January 07, 2013, 02:15:19 pm
Hello and welcome to TAS from damp Carnoustie  :wave:
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: mojocafa on January 07, 2013, 02:17:27 pm
Hello from Arbroath, once had a top night out in Helensburgh , could I have been in a windmill? Infact as I type , huge smile has appeared with the memory !!!  Anyway back to reality and welcome

Ohhhh those were the days!
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: Lesley Silvester on January 07, 2013, 03:02:36 pm
Hi and welcome from Shropshire  :wave:

I used to keep hens but not got the space now or the physical health to let me look after them properly.  I manage to get eggs from a friend occasionally.  When I last had them, they were in a run during the summer then had the run of the garden (and the neighbour's garden on occasion) during the winter.
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: ballingall on January 07, 2013, 07:42:35 pm
Hello and welcome  :wave:


Our chooks aren't too bad at wasting food to be honest, sorry I'm not much help!


Beth
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: darkbrowneggs on January 07, 2013, 07:48:35 pm
Hi there and welcome from Worcestershire.  :wave:
 
I use the spring type pheasant feeders, and they are not too wasteful, but sometimes a hen will get bored and just peck and peck, or a young cockerel will get overexcited by his feeding abilities and the feeder is just emptied  :o
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: Ina on January 07, 2013, 08:32:46 pm
HIya, and welcome!

I have a few nice memories of Helensburgh, too... Not been there for a few years, though. :-\
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: jarvisgav1964 on January 07, 2013, 09:58:08 pm
well thanks to all of you for posting on my wall, the self weighted feeder looks a good option, will let you know how i get on when i decide to purchase and install.
Unfortunately Helensburgh is a drab place roll on spring and some better weather
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: Fowgill Farm on January 08, 2013, 10:35:18 am
Unfortunately Helensburgh is a drab place roll on spring and some better weather
as is the rest of the UK at this time of year!
from an equally drab north yorkshire!
mandy :pig:
Title: Re: Hi to all from Helensburgh, nr Glasgow
Post by: Mammyshaz on January 19, 2013, 08:41:31 am
 :wave: hello and welcome from durham. Hens are such funny characters, I can watch ours all day then much work gets done.