Reply to: Chick this out...

[threaded]

Hello Farmer T - Maybe we should set up a "Agricultural Group"...... of maybe not!

All my Birds are pretty rough and scraggy although it must be said they are a brilliant lay......... and the Chickens aren't much better

boom-tish-BOOM!

OK IGMC

Maybe we should, I know two other posters here are farmers as one's in the same farmers group on another website, and another is a member of the same farmers union.

[Amiga500]

And I thought this would be a throw-a-way thread LOL.

[pzz76077]

You could always get some virtual chickens http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/rootbeer/550996

Dont taste as good as the real thing though!


PZZ

[Drewster]

Mr C is around, but I'd don't think he'd like to take over the responsibility (they'd be 'mine' but he'd have to do the routine stuff).

Don't think the idea is a goer, sadly (but may put the proposal forward over a beer tonight..)

4-5 Beers later....

C: Hey! Mr C..... How would you fancy sharing with a few chicks.....
Mr C: <Looking up from Bottle - Thinking "Did I just hear right?"> Eh?

(another) couple of Beers later

C: You can sort them out while I am away in the week......
Mr C: <Chicks.... Sort out... Cojak away.....> Eh?

just another one

Mr C: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Uuuurp! <Fart>
C: OK thats agreed then!

[cojak]

Mr C is around, but I'd don't think he'd like to take over the responsibility (they'd be 'mine' but he'd have to do the routine stuff).

Don't think the idea is a goer, sadly (but may put the proposal forward over a beer tonight..)

[Drewster]

If it wasn't for the fact that I'm away for most of the week I'd love to have a couple of chicken...

Seriously - Get some....

All they need is:
A safe place to Roost....
A bit of shelter....
Food & Drink....

Safety is the hardest bit...... Fox proof etc - and (as you are away) allowing them room to roam, dust bathe etc during the day (which obviously still needs to be secure cos you are not there to lock them up at night).

Several proper sturdy wooden posts set deep into the ground with "Chicken Wire".
Either some sort of roofing (also Chicken Wire) - the Cheap way
or
A decent Electric Fence (Those Foxes don't like it "up em")

You can use "commercial" feeders which will hold enough food for them for ages.

It would help if you could get a neigbour to collect the eggs while you are away - but not essential.

Mine have free run of the back garden - No Electric fences or other elaborate stuff as we are able to shut them in at night (Mix of Sturdy wooden coops and "Omlet Eglu" (Its an Omlet Cube actually which is much bigger/better).

Start with some "Rescue Batts" and off you go.............

[cojak]

If it wasn't for the fact that I'm away for most of the week I'd love to have a couple of chicken...

[voodooflux]

We've got three hybrids (via Omlet): a couple of "Miss Pepperpots" and a "Ginger Nut Ranger" I think.

[Drewster]

There's more than one on this board who's a (hobby) farmer.

It just so happens that hiding from the rain, I have a good few whose names I've forgot, but them I remember are:

Barnevelders
North Holland Blue
Black Rock (although they aren't strictly a breed, but a cross)

Blue Mille Fleur d'Ucle, a lovely bantam.

I tend to go for the ones that are pretty looking.

Hello Farmer T - Maybe we should set up a "Agricultural Group"...... of maybe not!

All my Birds are pretty rough and scraggy although it must be said they are a brilliant lay......... and the Chickens aren't much better

boom-tish-BOOM!

OK IGMC

[threaded]

I wonder if I can change my Login to "Farmer Giles"

There's more than one on this board who's a (hobby) farmer.

It just so happens that hiding from the rain, I have a good few whose names I've forgot, but them I remember are:

Barnevelders
North Holland Blue
Black Rock (although they aren't strictly a breed, but a cross)

Blue Mille Fleur d'Ucle, a lovely bantam.

I tend to go for the ones that are pretty looking.

[Drewster]

That's well impressive. How many have you got?

Chickens - 9 hybrids/ex-batts, 3 Scots Dumpy's
8 ex-b still laying..... one old girl who is past it..... we have had her over 3 years since she "retired".......

and before anyone suggests it - No its not worth wringing her neck on Sunday for a Roast Dinner........... they are bred for laying eggs and they are scrawny, stringy little things with less meat than "Posh Spice"........

[cailin maith]

I wonder if I can change my Login to "Farmer Giles"

I'm sure the mods would be more than happy to help!

[Menelaus]

I wonder if I can change my Login to "Farmer Giles"

That's well impressive. How many have you got?

[Drewster]

I wonder if I can change my Login to "Farmer Giles"

[cailin maith]

Scots Dumpy - The shells are very pale... not white but pale brown.
Marans - The shells are very dark... not quite "Bourneville" dark but darker than CDM dark....
although as Marans get older thier eggs actually get paler...