Keeping chickens in the garden

[hamblemary]

Does anyone keep chickens locally? Im going to be doing this soon and wanted some solidarity and to pick the brains of experienced owners.

We're going to be picking up some rescue birds from Bedfordshire sometime next month and are busy preparing the garden and building a run. We considered getting an Eglu to save space limited, but they are kind of ugly.

[lula]

Lucky you Hamblemary! I would LOVE to keep chickens, but our garden is a teeny tiny patch.

How exciting to be getting rescue chucks too- so they can have a happy life now. Hope it goes well. I don't know of anyone round here keeping chickens but I'm sure someone must! I went to an open garden in Blackheath a couple of months ago and they had hens. And in an eggloo too, I think they look alright.

If you do get hens, I would be really interested in buying any spare eggs from you as I do lots of baking and have been looking for a local egg supplier!

I wish I could keep bees too I know there's a man in Catford who supplies YDBMF with Catford Honey.

[GWHITTAKER]

Hi hamblemary

We've been keeping 6 chooks for 3 years now. I've got a lot of tips 2 help U get started.
Contact me either by email: figtree.house@gmail.com
Visit our B&B website to view Fig Tree Farm: http://www.figtreehouse.org.uk

Reiki Rooster G

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[Helena]

I would also LOVE to buy free range eggs locally!! I kept chickens when I lived in Spain but then, there were no foxes there! I think perhaps the foxes round here might be your biggest challenge. My garden is teeny tiny too.

[GWHITTAKER]

Hi Helena
Yes foxes were a prob @ first & we lost 2 chooks.
But we built a very much secure double run now with a top mesh covering.
Mr Fox can still worry them but he can't get @ them now.
http://www.figtreehouse.org.uk

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Reiki Rooster

[Helena]

Hey Gerry! I just had a look at your website! Nice to know there's a B&B near here for when peeps come to stay whom I can't fit into my flat! And very reasonable charges too.
Love your chicken run.

[hamblemary]

What fabulously positive replies!

We are quite excited about it all, and I'll update you all when we get them home.

Gerry- what a pretty house and garden you have!

You run will probably be bigger than mine. Can I ask what precautions you have taken to stop foxes from burrowing under your run? Researching into this Ive come across people who bury paving slabs on edge at the perimeter.

[GWHITTAKER]

The actual coop is fox proof with an extending base steel mesh flange.
Plus there are 2 closable doors for night security.
We only tent pegged the run mesh every foot or so around its perimeter.
Never had a fox try & burrow under it. The girls would give me a lot of warning & I'm on hand in the cabin alongside them most of the time with my sonic gun.

Your more than welcome to call round & view all we've done re de chooks any time.
There's quite a few more tips I could suggest.

We've no regrets having branched out into the 'Green Good Life'

Reiki Rooster
http://www.figtreehouse.org.uk

[hamblemary]

Thanks for the lovely invitation Gerry.

Im working from home much of this coming week, and so I'll pop round to have a look at your birds!
There isnt a PMM system here, so I'll give you a call / send an email via your web page.


Do you fancy it Helena? We could have a chat about the yard sale/ table top sale too.

[Helena]

Do you fancy it Helena? We could have a chat about the yard sale/ table top sale too.

Yes I do!
This coming week, I can't go on Wednesday between 11.00am & 3pm or Thursday during the day, but any other time is fine by me. Let me know!

[hamblemary]

Hi Helen, Hi Gerry,

Gerry, thank you for the hospitality and the advice!

Helen, you were brilliant company and Im looking forward to lots of fun again very soon!

I took some lovely photos of Hither Green's most spoiled chickens!








There are quite a few more chickens in the area than I had anticipated, Ive heard about two more local chicken keepers since meeting you Helen!

[fapl]

Hi Hamblemary,

I am another Hither Green chicken keeper. We have been discussing putting our house on the market and therefor we would have to get rid of our 2 chickens and our eglu because we are not sure if it would be practical to move them.

I don't know if you have decided to go with an eglu or not, they are very easy to clean and very well made and sturdy. We may have one to sell and 2 chickens to rehome

fapl

[Helena]

Since I've had security lights installed outside, I've realised that a fox visits my garden almost every night! (There are loads of them round here.) A bit worrying when thinking about chooks.

fapl - do let us know if you eventually put your Eglu + hens up for sale.

[hamblemary]

How is he getting in Helen? You've got decent fencing
Is someone leaving cat food outside?


fapl- Sorry to hear that you are leaving the area.

Id be interested in seeing a photo or two of your coop, if possible. Would it fit a couple more? It would be nice to house a couple of battery hens too.

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