Gardening Methods

Any info. welcome on keeping happy chickns.?

We have just been given two Bantom chickens and have not kept chickens before. Any good general advice and also any tips on getting the dogs (we have 3) and a cat not to chase them, the chickens themselves are already used to dogs. We want the chickens to live free range in the garden and obviously away at night. At the moment they are in a coop for 3 days to let them get used to their new home. They are about 3 months old, so when will the lady hen start laying? Many thanks.

Congratulations on getting your chickens they are sooo lovely to keep. Chickens start laying eggs normally around 22/24 weeks of age so you may have to wait a few weeks for eggs from yours. Chickens are also quite feisty and should a cat or dog become too inquisitive then they will get a sharp peck for thier troubles. Let your dog and cat see them in the pen first and then introduce them but its not usually a problem. They dont need much just somewhere warm and safe which is kept clean regularly. I use layers pellets to feed them and water is really important so make sure they have plenty of it. You will find that once they are free range they will put themselves back in thier coop as soon as it gets dark and all you then need to do is lock it to prevent any fox attacks. They are characters and you will soon find yourself in stitches watching thier antics. You can even train them to come when you call them. Good luck with it all. x

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