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As many of our customers are first time chicken owners, the following FAQs have been put together based on the questions we are most often asked. If you have any questions which are not covered by what is listed below, please feel free to email us, the chances are - we'll add it to this list!
How long do chickens normally live? The Hybrids up to 4 years, pure breeds up to 8 years What is the minimum number of chickens you should keep? 2 At what age do they start laying? Hybrids start laying at about 18 weeks and lay almost non stop throughout their lives, except during a small moulting period. Pure breeds lay from about 24 to 26 weeks old. They don't lay as many eggs as hybrids, but carry on for many more years. They also stop laying through their moult which is longer than hybrids (usually between November and February), hence the smaller amount of eggs. With your hen houses - can the chickens be locked in at night? Are the houses fox proof? Yes they can be locked in at night and they are also fox proof. Fox proof floors can be supplied for runs if people require them. i.e. someone who may be out all day and lives in an area where there is daytime fox activity. What do you feed Chickens? They should be fed on layers pellets for there main diet and will eat any green vegetable waste you give them, as long as it hasn't been in the kitchen (to avoid cross contamination with processed food). They will eat the grass in the run together with any bugs and insects on it. They will eat most weeds and generally know which ones are safe, but unless you are able to identify all weeds it is safer not to give them to them. Do Chickens need vaccinations / worming etc? All hybrids are vaccinated against:
They need to be wormed every 6 months. this is done orally with a powder mixed in with their food which need needs to be obtained from an agricultural merchant with a veterinary background or a vet.
Are there instructions provided detailing how to put the house together? Yes instructions are provided, but they can also be supplied made up or we can make them up in your garden for a small fee. Price on application. |