Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

ljonski

http://www.freechickencoopplans.com/

http://www.demesne.info/Garden-Help/Keep-Chickens/Planning-Coops.htm


hth

ALIBOBSY

I have worried about rats since we got the chickies, but haven't seen any around here.
However we are semi rural so perhaps the farm and the fields around the back up the lane (2 mins walk away) are more attractive.

Also we are on a small cul de sac with neighbours next door and behind having dogs (2 of which are terriers) and in the small area loads of cats around, plus of course our large tom cat.
He is always bringing us mice and voles and birds (some quite large) and until the chickies got really big and had chased him off a few times he even had a go at them (I was suprised how aggresive the chickens were-foxes must be crazy fast and aggressive). So I reckon if there were any rats he would have had one by now or we would have spotted them or signs of them.

ali x

steady__eddie

" would like to have a go at making my own hen house (I have very limited Woodworking/DIY experience and VERY limited cash). I have googled endlessly, to try and find some free downloadable plans..but no luck."

Well done, imo there's no need to spend real money on buying fancy pens and runs, all you need is some timber (we call it wood where I come from) some nails, (or screws if you're technically minded), a Birmingham screwdriver, some shicken wire (aptly named) and a couple of hinges for the door.
The picture on http://www.freechickencoopplans.com/ did look rather ornate to me but it is possible construct a respectable looking structure quite cheaply. Do you have access to any recycled floorboards ? (Freecycle). I favour these 'cos the tongue & groove cuts down on draughts and I find they give a more proffessional effect. Watch out for little holes in it though that looks like somebody has been throwing darts at it, woodworm. When treated, they should stand the weather. The other site says allow 3 to 4 square feet per bird, so depending on how many you plan to have, you can work out roughly the size it needs to be. I rather foolishly made nest boxes, complete waste of time imo. Being female, they laid where they wanted to lay, not where I wanted them to lay, (can you detect any sexism ?).
I nearly forgot, don't forget a perch.
Have a go and good luck to you, if I can do it then anyone can, it's not rocket science, (Werner Von Braun)

Jolaaled

ljonski wrote: »

http://www.freechickencoopplans.com/

http://www.demesne.info/Garden-Help/Keep-Chickens/Planning-Coops.htm


hth

steady__eddie wrote: »

The picture on http://www.freechickencoopplans.com/ did look rather ornate to me but it is possible construct a respectable looking structure quite cheaply. Do you have access to any recycled floorboards ? (Freecycle). I favour these 'cos the tongue & groove cuts down on draughts and I find they give a more proffessional effect. Watch out for little holes in it though that looks like somebody has been throwing darts at it, woodworm. When treated, they should stand the weather. The other site says allow 3 to 4 square feet per bird, so depending on how many you plan to have, you can work out roughly the size it needs to be. I rather foolishly made nest boxes, complete waste of time imo.

THANKS SO MUCH for all this information. I feel much more confident to 'give it a go' now!
Will try and post a picture when I've finally got there (but not for a few months tho!).

mardatha

I'm maybe going for bantams in springtime, but fancy an Eglu because I think they would be easier in the long run. I have a slice of garden I can fence off, and will put the eglu on some sort of shelf or stand to make it easier to get into.
I think you always have rats around anyway and having some chickens in the back garden won't mean they will be popping up all over the house

Mojisola

Don't forget that chickens hate to get wet. I've seen some miserable chooks trying to huddle under an Eglu on a stand - it was pouring with rain and there wasn't enough room for all of them to get out of the rain. The Eglu might have been big enough for them but rain blows in from the side!

Gigervamp

Oh, Mardatha, has RV given in and agreed to chickens then? Yay!

We're getting a couple of new girls in a couple of weeks. A salmon faverolle and a barnebar. Can't wait!

As our garden is now trashed, we're going to move the girls to the top field. It's not actually our field but belongs to hubby's uncle and is connected to our house. Uncle actually suggested moving the girls up there and he's also suggested that we could get a couple of sheep or goats to put in the other fields (we have 3 here)! We've been talking about getting goats for the milk, so it looks like that's going to be the next project!

iwantasmallholding

susyrosy wrote: »

I've got a problem - my hens are currently having to live in their ark - so, they have a run under their roosting quarters, but this isn't very light. They're in restricted quarters because an influx of new neighbours with armies of cats have been terrorising my hens, who ended up right at the top of very high trees (like pigeons), and impossible to get down, and they weren't eating. So - now they have their food but of course no free ranging for green stuff, and of course, they only like grass ...... I've also noticed their combs are becoming very pale, which is worrying me. I'm sure they should have a supplement as they aren't currently free ranging, but I don't know what to give them.

My son has promised to make me a large cat-proof run - but of course he's very busy, and it's not at the top of his list. I'd LOVE to nag, jump up and down, demand, screech - but that wouldn't work either!!!!!

So - what should I do about the pale combs?

TIA

Susy

I am shocked!!, I have three ferial cats that rome around, and catch EVERYTHING!, rabbits, moles, pidgeons, Rats etc etc but never shown an interest in a chicken!!. Not sure why really I thought cats were naturally scared of them.

mardatha

Yes the RV has - well not surrendered, more we've reached a state of armed neutrality and I WILL HAVE chickens.
I will sort out a covered bit around the eglu, thanks for that Moj

Gigervamp

mardatha wrote: »

Yes the RV has - well not surrendered, more we've reached a state of armed neutrality and I WILL HAVE chickens.
I will sort out a covered bit around the eglu, thanks for that Moj

He'll love them! Hubby was so stubborn for years but when we got our first 3 girls, he admitted that we should have got some sooner.

They are such a joy and a very good relaxing tool. Just sit and watch them, learn about the *pecking order*, laugh at their antics, (much better than the tv) marvel (sp) at their eggs, still warm.

There will be the sad times, but that's life.