That reminds me ... adding a few Guinea Fowl to the mix will help with any potential predator problem ... they’ll cackle loud enough to raise the riot squad if a fox, stoat, polecat or even ambitious moggie appears to have designs on the poultry shed. Mind you, they’ll need some lowish trees to roost in. They don’t want to be kept inside.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Oooh Dove. I love guinea fowl to look at and eat (tho I wouldn't eat my own) and we do have lots of trees all round the perimeter and a handy, branchy mimosa and an oak. I just happen to have a friend who lives up the road from a guinea fowl farm. i wonder if they have spares.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I love guinea fowl. They’re gorgeous creatures. One misty morning I watched one of my guinea fowl ‘chase’ a vixen through a meadow ... her beak was about 18” from the tip of the vixen’s tail, her head doing that ‘bobbing’ thing that they do ... I thought the vixen would turn around and grab her ... the fact that she didn’t made me curious ... she disappeared into a thicket on the old disused railwayline. I noted the spot and checked later ... she had a den of 3 cubs within 200m of my poultryshed and five dozen rare breed chooks .
She didn’t want to draw attention to herself did she? 😆
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Sounds as good as having a llama to protect your sheep from foxes. I read of one farmer in Sussex who tried it and was so pleased with the results he bought his llama a mate!
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Just a bit of grain ... otherwise they’re pretty self sufficient, foraging for insects, grubs, seeds etc. The eggs are fantastic, but you’ll have to watch them to find out where the nests are. I’d keep a few more than just two ... they feel brave and comfortable in little flocks.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I wanted to keep hens, I was really into looking up all the info regarding their upkeep, and although enthusiastic, I just couldn't muster up anyone else living here to help me with their upkeep. Now we have 8 houses being built over the other side of our field I fear there will be dogs/kids tampering with them, so I too have dropped this idea. Pity though.
GD - if you have a secure boundary between you and the new builds and a secure run for your hens it should be fine. If you provide cheap, fresh eggs to the new neighbours they'll have an incentive to make sure their kids behave and new neighbours can be a good thing.
As for caring for them, there are feed dispensers that only need filling once a week and if the run is secure they don't need shutting up at night so don't need letting out in the morning either. Chappy yesterday has this system - former pigsty in a fully caged run and a big hole where a front door might have been.
We will get house-sitters when we do eventually go away. In exchange for free holiday accommodation they look after your plants and pets. Maybe worth considering for you.
OK Dove. Several then, but first I have to run it past OH who is already having to get accustomed to the idea of hens.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
All brilliant ideas Obelixx, which I will pass on to OH and our daughter who also would like to keep chickens but works full time and won't be home before dark and leaves in the dark during the week. Something to talk about over Easter Sunday dinner perhaps especially as turkey is on the menu (well not quite the same as chicken but close enough). I certainly like the eggs for neighbours - a sure way to help keep our chickens safe too - notice I say OUR chickens - I am warming to this!
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Mind you, they’ll need some lowish trees to roost in. They don’t want to be kept inside.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
She didn’t want to draw attention to herself did she? 😆
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I’d keep a few more than just two ... they feel brave and comfortable in little flocks.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
As for caring for them, there are feed dispensers that only need filling once a week and if the run is secure they don't need shutting up at night so don't need letting out in the morning either. Chappy yesterday has this system - former pigsty in a fully caged run and a big hole where a front door might have been.
We will get house-sitters when we do eventually go away. In exchange for free holiday accommodation they look after your plants and pets. Maybe worth considering for you.
OK Dove. Several then, but first I have to run it past OH who is already having to get accustomed to the idea of hens.