WELFARE / TIPS and FAQ’s

Our most frequently asked questions:

Chicks vs. chickens?
It’s great for children and adults to incubate eggs or buy very young chicks. The downside is you get cockerels (noisy!) and you have to decide whether to dispatch them. Usually better to buy girls at Point of Lay (16-18 weeks old.)
What to look for?
A clean environment, clear bright eyes, clean nostrils, clean smooth legs and clean vent area. Also make sure they have not been ‘de-beaked’, a sign that, as chicks, they have been very highly intensively reared. Cutting the beaks back is done to primarily stop cannibalisation not for the welfare of the girls.
What varieties to buy?
All Rhode Red Island hybrid varieties are the result of over 250 years of selective breeding to achieve a placid nature (great pets) a large annual production of eggs (between 250- 300 per year). You can mix the varieties but there will always be a settling in period, the ‘pecking order’ you particularly need to keep a watch on integrating new girls if there is a marked age difference. If persisting use talcum powder, garlic or Vinegar to ensure they all smell the same.
When will they start laying?
Anywhere between 18-21 weeks, maximum laying capacity is for 2.5- 3 years.
What do we feed?
Layers pellets or mash contain everything they need, vitamins, minerals and supplements. Only additional treats should be small amount of scattered corn and occasionally scraps, do not overdo the latter. No pellets, no treats!
How many to keep?
It is addictive, recommend starting with 3 or 4 girls, but buy a coop for 6/8 in order for you to potentially expand your flock.
Are they high maintenance?
You have to let them out in the morning, unlike children they put themselves to bed at dusk! Another reason to keep a couple more birds is to give fresh eggs to neighbours, relatives, in return they can close the pop holes at night, once they are in, and this helps you with evenings out or holidays. Once a month give their house a complete thorough clean out.
Worming and Red Mite problems?
We recommend worming once a month this is simple, an additive to their pellets, we use Verm-X. Red Mite usually carried by wild birds can be prevented/treated by dusting the girls every 6 weeks; we use Barrier Red Mite powder.
What kind of coop?
3 basic choices, convert by DIY an existing garden shed and build a run. Buy (but don’t buy!)from the net/eBay cheap coops, nearly all Chinese imports that will hardly last for 2/3 years, if that. Thirdly buy a house properly built, using treated wood and sturdy run, this should last you for say 15 years minimum.
Prevention against the fox?
A sturdy run, and add if you wish wire dug into the soil. To deter, methods include hanging up a bag of human hair, and, believe it or not, male urine around the perimeter. You also buy lengths of electric fence to fit your garden/ area to allow them to roam when you are not there.
Will they fly away?
No, the common method is to clip one wing to unbalance them, if you have a low-ish perimeter fence this is often a good idea.
Do I need any permissions to keep?
Not unless you have more than 50 birds, where your flock needs to be registered with DEFRA