Hens and an Eglu??

Hemcore is made from dried nettles - a close relation is also available called Auboise. Both are brilliant - absorbent and smell lovely. Added bonus, add to the garden and it disappears within weeks, unlike shavings that take forever to break down.

 

That looks like the stuff we should get.

What routine do you have for cleaning your house and run? I'm not sure how to do that to protect against mites etc.

Also - do chickens get fleas? If so what do you do about them?

 

If you start reading up on the various pests and diseases get you'll turn into a walking chicken hypochondriac! There are lots out there but a trio, kept in a clean, well ventilated house, in a run that is 'aired' regularly (so moved or the ground cover changed regularly) won't be susceptible to that much. If they are in good condition to begin with.

I poo pick (great term) after the nightly offerings as part of the morning routine - feed, check water, let them out and poo pick. It stops it building up and starting to smell. With only three it will be easy...,and you can do the run as well. I scrub out the hen house once a week in summer, once a fortnight in winter with a good poultry house cleaner...but Jeyes Fluid or Dettol works just as well. Red Mite are a huge problem for any poultry keeper however. They live in the hen house (usually in hidden cracks etc) and come out to suck the blood of the poor chickens at night time. I can guarantee you will get some, but good cleaning and treating the hen house with good, old fashioned Creosote will keep them under control, if not irradicated. So don't panic when you see them.

 

That is extremely practical advice, thank you. I think you're right about getting bogged down in possible problems. I think we'll read some basic knowledge, so we know what to look for, and then just keep a good cleaning routine and be alert.

We chose our chickens last night, they are lovely! I cleared a whole corner of the garden today, which was. a huge log pile and some rubble. We had screened it off but I don't want anywhere for rats to hide with chikens in the garden.

House arrives sat (fingers crossed) and chickens on Sunday afternoon.

Can't wait!

 

I shall expect photographs

 

Damn right!!!

 

:D Less than three hours to go.....

 

And now....have they arrived?

 

YES!!!! I am just going to poat a new thread with some pics...