Chickens on a patio

I attended a rural course with my son. We were shown two methods: neck pulling and cone (put the head through a cone, club, then bleed out). My son was more adept at the neck pulling, whereas I was more adept at clubbing.
There is another method called the "broomstick" method (you can Utube that).

 

Omg I've neen utubing some ways and I'm horrified I think the cone looks the best for me as the bird is asleep and it ain't gonna run round like a well, erm headless chicken. Is the the broomstick the clavicle whatsamijig? That's wrong defo not for me. Too hands on

 

I can empathise with the "too hands on" feeling, Dan; I had to dispatch one of my drakes (poorly boy :( ) soon after the course.

Being more of a clubber than a puller (and not having a cone) I had to hold him in one hand and club with the other. Now, I'm not going to say for one moment it was something I am in a rush to do again; but, I'm glad I was *able* to do it - swiftly and without stress - for the birds sake.

If it's too much for you to contemplate, maybe you have a friend you might step up if the need arises?

 

Don't worry too much about 'sorting out' poorly birds. There are 12 hens buried under one of my apple trees and only one needed 'assistance'.

 

Well I ordered 3 warrens today should get them back end of the week so ill get some pics up when they arrive. I'm also going to extend the run at the weekend
Scrungee you buried them? How come they didn't make it to the dinner plate

 

I think I'm getting my head round the idea now mum
I'd be a hypocrite really if I couldn't do it as ill happily eat meat from the supermarket so it would be one less chicken on their shelves thats had no life

 

Really excited for you Dan, and yes, pics are compulsory

 

I don't eat meat except for fish, even then I didn't eat my daughter's pet goldfish when it died (I used it as sea fishing bait). At least my daughter's got past the stage of insisting every fish, guinea pig, hen, etc. has to have a coffin made for it.

 

Ah I see that makes sense I'm guessing you eat eggs though
How did goldie fare as bait?

 

Just to let you no I've had the phone call from the GC this morning my chooks have arrived so should be picking them up back end of the week. For the food I'm going to get layers pellets and probably some mixed corn for treats. What about grit? Also what's the best substrate for the run, house and nest box. I was thinking straw for all or will I need something else in their?
Cheers
Dan

 

That's exciting news, Dan

I use layers pellets (layers mash is just too messy).
Instead of spurging on corn treats, use veggies and the like (less expensive and they love them! Just one word of caution if you feed them tomatoes and let them freerange - and cherry tomatoes are a favourite for my girls - this year I had quite a lot of "volunteer" tomato plants spring up all over the place ).

Yes, you do need to provide a dish of grit - unless they free range all day, in which case they will find their own.

I use auboise. Straw is ok (never use hay though; damp hay can cause them problems). I put a bale of straw in my girls run so they had an elevated platform and something to have a good scratch in. They scratched it so very well, it is now the run lining At this time of year, I tend to let the run litter build up so it produces its own "underground heating". So, I turn it and just add a bit more to it. If you can get straw bales from a local farmer, it will work out hugely cheaper than buying from a pet supplier.

Have you thought in advance about names?

Also, teach your 3yo daughter good practise from day one: so, if she handles the chooks, keep a small bottle of hand gel in your pocket so she can "wash" them straight away. Likewise, indoor shoes, outdoor shoes and ... chicken shoes! She is going to love having her own chooks and fresh eggs

 

Really looking forward to seeing your new girls Dan
I use straw in the nest boxes and auboise in the 'toilet' area makes it easier to poo pick ...yes and grit is really important too Just wait untill you get your first egg...you'll nearly lay one yourself i know i nearly did
Can't you go get them today....i can't wait

 

good tip on the corn mum that will save me a few quid and being a true yorkshire man thtats very important
the tomatoes shouldnt be a problem as my garden is all paved and decking i do have fruit trees in very lare pots dotted around but i can "weed" those as necassary i might get a few more actually they would probably like that being jungle decsendants
all the rest of my flowers were in pots and containers so ill have to find chicken friendly plants for next year.
will my hanging baskets and fence mounted containers be safe from hens?
whats auboise?
my kids have already got wellies (i also have a 1yo boy) that they wear when gardening with me (i have a front garden with turf and flower beds etc) so they can use those
my wife is a carer so hand wash is never in short supply im also a bit ocd when it comes to hand washing and spread of germs
Niah has already named the chooks are you ready for it jermima vanessa and sarah ill give you ten points if you no no were the names came from ill give you a clue she wants a rooster called neville aswell (which wont happen)
lollimac you made me lololollololl i hope its a big egg because its gonna have fried egg sandwich all over it

 

I was supervised by our site chicken whilst building this place. She had free range of the building site & used to roost on the stepladders.

Any spiders I found, I would put them in a superkings cigarette packet, mrs's brand.

So the chicken got used to getting fed spiders from that type of packet.

Mrs never understood why the chicken used to go for her every time she reached for her fags

 

Ha quality did you ever tell her why or did you leave her thinking the chickens were just anti smoking