zachyd Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 we have just moved to the country as my dad is now a dairy farmer. we got 7 chicks yesterday, they are about 5 days old now & are very cute. i like them alot. the smallest one is about 2 inches tall & the largerst about 3 inches tall. we have 2 brown shavers & 5 orpingtons which will grow quite big. i love living in the country cause we get to have animals that aren't normally in town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Hi zachyd. How lucky are you?? :lol: I'd love a couple of chickens. Fresh eggs from well fed, free range chooks are the best. I'd love to see pics if you have any. Have a look here re: posting pics if you want to put any up...... viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4307 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enzoom1 Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Lucky boy zach I had 3 brown shavers from when they were young chicks to when they stopped laying eggs. They were really cool... except for their poos that they left everywhere :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zachyd Posted February 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 yeah there not very cool when they poop every where.today they pooped 2 times on my hand all tho they are pretty cute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 yeah there not very cool when they poop every where.today they pooped 2 times on my hand all tho they are pretty cute It's not their fault. Keep your hand out from under their butt and they won't poop on it. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 they want to buy you and are just making a deposit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Hi Zachyd, we used to have chickens too when we lived in Timaru. The trouble was we were in the town and the neighbours weren't too happy when the roosters crowed. At least you won't have that sort of problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zachyd Posted February 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 but there to cute I can not resist picking them up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenna Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 we're planning on doing the same in a few weeks We're in the middle of Christchurch city but there's nothing that says we can't have as many chickens as we like here - the only thing is that they aren't allowed to mae a lot of noise, hence no roosters! We are building a coop and run, fully enclosed so the local cats don't get at the inhabitants, and when it is built, we will put a few (3 or 4) 8-week old chickens. That makes them old enough not to need heat-lamps etc. We're also putting a quail or 2 in there. Loving the idea of having super-fresh free-range eggs available all the time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 I really want a pet duck or chicken. Apparently they need lots of space though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 we're planning on doing the same in a few weeks We're in the middle of Christchurch city but there's nothing that says we can't have as many chickens as we like here - the only thing is that they aren't allowed to mae a lot of noise, hence no roosters! We are building a coop and run, fully enclosed so the local cats don't get at the inhabitants, and when it is built, we will put a few (3 or 4) 8-week old chickens. That makes them old enough not to need heat-lamps etc. We're also putting a quail or 2 in there. Loving the idea of having super-fresh free-range eggs available all the time! when the chickens are bigger the quail may get pecked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 I want chooks! :bounce: Unfortunately we're renting and my partner points out that moving the hens and all their stuff would be a nightmare, as would trying to get around the 'no pets' clauses in a lot of lease agreements. :roll: In Auckland City you can have a maximum of 4 hens per property but no roosters. One day we will own our own home, then watch out neighbourhood! The chooks will be moving in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 we're planning on doing the same in a few weeks We're in the middle of Christchurch city but there's nothing that says we can't have as many chickens as we like here - the only thing is that they aren't allowed to mae a lot of noise, hence no roosters! We are building a coop and run, fully enclosed so the local cats don't get at the inhabitants, and when it is built, we will put a few (3 or 4) 8-week old chickens. That makes them old enough not to need heat-lamps etc. We're also putting a quail or 2 in there. Loving the idea of having super-fresh free-range eggs available all the time! best to check with the council, I know that in auckland and Manukau district plans actually state how many chickens you can have and whether or not you are allowed any roosters. I wanted some chickens for the eggs, but wife didn't like the pooey idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenna Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 when the chickens are bigger the quail may get pecked Apparently they're fine as long as the chickens are young when the quail is introduced - even better if the chickens are young and the quail is already established. best to check with the council, I know that in auckland and Manukau district plans actually state how many chickens you can have and whether or not you are allowed any roosters. I wanted some chickens for the eggs, but wife didn't like the pooey idea. We're pretty lucky here as far as che council goes - there's no limit to how many chickens you can have, as long as any roosters don't make too much noise (and we're not having any) ...and the poo will be awesome for the garden :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 ...and the poo will be awesome for the garden :lol: That's what I think too. As long as you have a way of keeping the chooks off your deck and your paths (and stop them coming inside!) the poo is one of the beneficial by-products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 Chook poo is too strong for some plants though isn't it? I remember when our local scout group used to fundraise by cleaning out the poo from the local chicken farm and selling it in large bags. It was very popular (but not with the boys who had done the shovelling :lol: ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 Chook poo is too strong for some plants though isn't it? I remember when our local scout group used to fundraise by cleaning out the poo from the local chicken farm and selling it in large bags. It was very popular (but not with the boys who had done the shovelling :lol: ) As with other fresh manure, you should add it to your compost and let it rot down before using it on your garden. If you have straw etc on the floor of your chicken coop it's just perfect to add to your compost and you end up with a delicious, nutritious, dark, crumbly, gorgeous compost! mmmmmm sometimes I wish I was a plant! *licks lips* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 17, 2009 Report Share Posted February 17, 2009 Sounds like you are going to have to start vege gardening too Zach! Not sure whether 7 chooks are enough to help the compost. Perhaps you need more :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zachyd Posted February 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 Sounds like you are going to have to start vege gardening too Zach! Not sure whether 7 chooks are enough to help the compost. Perhaps you need more :lol: mum & dad plan to have 12, here's a pic of the 7 we have. We have 2 brown shavers & 5 orpingtons. orpington play time snooze time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted February 18, 2009 Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 Mate, they are too cute :bounce: :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted February 18, 2009 Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 Awww they're lovely! Where did your parents get them from? And are these the kind that you can sex from a very young age, or do you have to wait for them to get older before you know if you have any roosters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zachyd Posted February 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2009 we got them from one of dad's friends who breeds them, and we have to wait till they are older to know which sex they are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 Ah, are they ever cute Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zachyd Posted March 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 yes they are cute, although they are much bigger now.we have put them in a cage out side and each arfternoon we take them for an adventure around the garden.we use a broom to gently herd them back in the cage, because they hate it they move very quickly back to the cage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zachyd Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 we have had our chickens for about 2 months now, this is my pet chook Isobella. She is a blue orpington & has grown very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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