[escapedtothecountry]

Hello chicken experts. These questions have undoubtedly been asked time and time again - but I know you will be patient with a newcomer.

We have our new place and as the daylight hours extend we will be wanting some chickens (probably around 4).

I've bought a chickens coop to build and have plenty of fencing materials and chicken wire to build a sturdy fenced area to keep the foxes out - though given the number of wild rabbits in my two acres there seems to be food a-plenty.

My questions are as follows....

What else do I need to purchase before getting some chickens (I think I know but all comments will help give me a good list)?

Any tips on looking after them once we've got our four hens?

How much do you reckon keeping 4 chickens would cost a week (not including initial outlay for housing them and all the kit.

Any tips for keeping them happy hens.

Thanks in advance.

Jonathan
www.escapedtothecountry.com

[deepinthewoods]

a chicken coop, some chickens and a run is all you need to get started, theyll need some bedding i use straw.  they like to scratch around in grass and will eat almost everything green, a sack of corn and a sack of layers pellets would probably last 4 hens a month maybe more.
  i feed layers in the morning, acouple of good scoops, and corn in the evening, to help them keep warm.
  they need constant access to water and to grit, although freeranging chickens wont need much grit.
 hope that helps! and hello from cornwall!

[escapedtothecountry]

Thanks - very useful... do they peck at stuff like nettles? Maybe they can help peck them away!

[deepinthewoods]

some of mine will eat young nettle leaves but not big coarse ones, the best place for nettles is in a bin, fill it to the top with cut nettles and then fill up  with water and weight down the nettles, give it a month to stew and it makes great liquid feed for your veg.

[escapedtothecountry]

There were that many when we got the place it burned out a petrol strimmer cutting them down, so I am sure there will be plenty to collect this coming summer. That and the comfrey beds Im going to plant should make plenty of liquid fertiliser.

[deepinthewoods]

chicken poo is great done the same way, i feed my cucurbits on that.

[Victorian Farmer]

Some very good water and feed contaners enough for 3 or 4 days just incase off problem we got flooded the birds were ok for 2 days cold etc.or a nice week end brake att the sales.

[Rosemary]

There's some information on the main TAS site - click on Livestock above 

[Mammyshaz]

We have had our chickens since last summer and read lots on Line &in magazines but best buy I found was the Haynes chicken manual. got ours from amazon reasonable.

I like all things in lists and easy  to follow steps. Found this book really helpful with daily, monthly and seasonal tasks listed ( not that I follow each one exactly but it's a good starting point until u find your way.

I still refer to it now for bits of advice but there again am still in my 1st year of henhood. 

[princesspiggy]

, the best place for nettles is in a bin,

or dry them for the goats/rabbits in the winter.

[escapedtothecountry]

Given the amount of wild rabbits and how many rabbit guards I've had to buy I certainly don't want to help them out  . Though getting a few goats - now there's an idea.

[princesspiggy]

we breed rabbits too, they love the nettles!