Bizzare question sorry

[BUSHWHACKER]

u have a dirty dirty mind lol

So is her truck.........apparently.

[Bibs]

So is her truck.........apparently.

Well it's not quite polished

[darkdezigns]

Well it's not quite polished

polishing is errr good for u lolol

[Bibs]

polishing is errr good for u lolol

[darkdezigns]

or was it makes u go blind?i forget lol

[Bibs]

or was it makes u go blind?i forget lol

Can't be that now can it...........

[darkdezigns]

Can't be that now can it...........

true id have guide dog by now lol

[Bibs]

true id have guide dog by now lol

faf have to be up early so off to bed. Night

[darkdezigns]

faf have to be up early so off to bed. Night

nite,have fun....................

[spoofer28]

i sometimes go on the allottment growers forum as they have a chuck section
we have 5 light sussex and a black rock if you get them at about 20 weeks they will lay soon after they recon a 4ft square is a big enough house but they need a run i have mine in an 4x4x6 shed and kept them in a run for 3
weeks now they are totaly free range but dont expect to keep nice flowers and thing cos you wont

[Mitsy]

Bibs have pm you also lynda is a very good source off info and jax.

[MattF]

i prefer ones that LAY also lololol

I'm having serious doubts about you, you know............

[jax]

OK, I can't keep it in any longer ...........just make sure they're going CHEAP. (Well someone had to say it)


.........................
Jacqueline

[TonyN]

OK, I can't keep it in any longer ...........just make sure they're going CHEAP. (Well someone had to say it)


.........................
Jacqueline

God, don't start them all off again!!

[Linda]

Joking aside, trust me, she dosn't want boy chicken, unless you have no neighbours and good double glazing.

Little insomniatic git, but Linda won't get rid of him!

OOOHhhhh thats SOOOO not true...

He's a very good little boy - he rarely gets up before 6am (down boys - I mean to crow :wink: ).

Actually he was a bit loud right outside the bedroom window - but now he's been relocated to the back garden we dont really hear him.

Ok - well if its eggs you want, and you are not going to get into showing etc etc then get some hybrids - there are a few types about - but they are basically bred to lay without getting broody, to be hardy. Most will lay around 200-220 eggs per year. Be aware that hens lay from about 6 months of age for about 2 years on average, but can live for 15years, so you will end up with unproductive birds for several years (some people cull them and some keep them as pets)

Pure breds generally cost more, some breeds gets very broody (they will stop laying and try to hatch anything for several weeks during which time they won't eat or drink much) then take a week or two to come back into lay. You can "break" them by sticking them in a cage for a couple of days, but you still get a couple of weeks off lay. Some pure breds can be flighty and hard to catch too.

If you are feeling charitable then consider rehoming a couple of ex battery hens - they live their lives in a cage the size of an A4 piece of paper, unable to stand properly or turn around, then they get culled at about 70 weeks of age. They are funny friendly little characters and usually very friendly. Mine each lay every other day, a nice big brown egg. They cost a couple of pounbds to buy, and you have the satisfaction of seeing them have a lovely life.

In terms of housing - you can buy losh hen houses with run, and we did that at first, but personally I think a better solution is to convert a garden shed - it will just need a small hole for them to go in/out (size depends on breed) with a door that can be opened/shut,a perch and a nestbox. All very easy to do and it has the advantage of easy access for cleaning etc.

If you can get an electric fence - its the best defence against the fox.

feeding - you can buy layers pellets from feed merchants - these are a good choice as they contain all the vits the hens need to lay well.

They are really easy to keep and give you hours of fun -

PM if you want to I could bore you for hours and if/when you are ready to get some hens let me know - I can probably put you in touch with a reputable breeder in your area (unlike the one we got our first hens from - complete with Mycoplasma infection which nearly killed my cockerel.)

Oh and on cockerels... yes they crow but they also keep the hens in order and you have a more settled flock. Not a problem if you only have a couple - but if you have 4 or 5 then a boy is very useful.