[jameslindsay]

Me and my mouth. Last week our friend from Trading Standards, Enviromental Services dropped in for a coffee and to see all our animals. She asked us if we would please re home/rescue a Rhode Island Red hen, so ofcourse we said yes. This will duly arrive here on Friday. I have never kept chickens before so about to start a new chapter...

[sandy]

Sounds  great, you are true Foster parents....

[jameslindsay]

or mugs? ha ha ha. Fall for a sob story every time!

[doganjo]

But it will be lonely, James, you will need to get more - how about ex-batts - contact Jim Duff from the BHWT - www.bhwt.co.uk
Have fun with your new Mums on Sunday - wish I could come but I'll be in Norway judging dogs.

[jameslindsay]

She won't be lonely she will run with the ducks. Is that not enough for her?

[doganjo]

No she'll need a couple of ex batt friends - have a look at the website James, it will convince you.  I rescued 6, and just got 2 for another friend a couple of weeks ago - they are so friendly.

[shetlandpaul]

dont forget to isolate it for a couple of weeks. worm ect. they are flock birds when we had six they stayed close to home now the numbers have creeped up they are ranging over a few acres.

[jameslindsay]

Thanks for the advice. Annie I think I may just go down the road of getting perhaps another 2 possible 3 from the rescued batt people. It's all your fault.

[doganjo]

But I'm lovely with it   seriously, I'm suer you and kenny will love having ex batts, and you can offer your customers a choice of eggs too. 

[sandy]

You can serve Freedom omelets!!!! I need some more chickens but am going to Waite until the Ducks are established and them get some pullets

[jameslindsay]

I am now eagerly awaiting the arrival of this wee girl tomorrow. For the first wee while she will share a bed with the ducks but as I am thinking I now want a couple more hems I will need to buy a coop. Does anyone have or know of anyone that is selling one, or even make one? I will have no more than 4 hens so it doesn't need to be huge. Failing that I will go and buy something, a bit warey of buying off computer - without seeing first, will probably end up with a small shed.

[doganjo]

As I've said before I bought a 6 x 4 garden shed from Focus - got a deal of £100 delivered.  Donald (my son) and I put it up in a couple of hours, vinyl on the floor, and old drawer for a nesting box and round dowels jammed into the opposite corners for perches.  There are lots of people making chicken coops these days though - maybe Sandy could sell you her coop 2nd hand now she has that ginormous shed!

[sandy]

Well, I am keeping my coop, it was about £130 with postage and it's cr**!!!!!!!p, well I think it is, I wish I had bought a shed in the first place although some are much much better for the money. I only have 3 Black Rocks and I think that is all there is room for although it did say 4-5 hens!!!!! My shed will be up this weekend and it is large so I may section it off for the Ducks to have a bit and then get some more chickens when the Ducks have grown as I do not want them to get "Hen Pecked" I should get a shed unless you pay a lot for either one of those arks or plastic bright coloured pods....Loved the pictures,so cute, I shall post one on my Facebook, thanks.

[jameslindsay]

Well I have just ordered a chicken house off the internet, it looks really well so fingers crossed. It says next day delivery so hoping that it may arrive Saturday or Monday at the latest and it's not a "flatpack" which makes life easy.

[sandy]

Just what I did and it was flat pack but I love doing that, I think you can get some that come made!!!!!!! get your screw driver ready