Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks Taxsaver, you've put my mind at rest a bit with the mice issue!:D

Re the number, yes, I was thinking of 3 - I've heard that you shouldn't have just 2 (can't remember the reason off the top of my head) and only me so no need for more than that!

Off to have a look at coops again - if anyone can recommend any not too expensive ones that would be great!

Yup, the field is great and has loads of trees and long grass so I'm sure they'd love to have a rootle around in there at the weekends when I'm here (and on the summer evenings when it's lighter to later on).

Mojisola

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Yup, the field is great and has loads of trees and long grass so I'm sure they'd love to have a rootle around in there at the weekends when I'm here (and on the summer evenings when it's lighter to later on).

The problem with this is that you may have problems getting them to come home. A broody chicken, given a field to play in, may well decide to make a nest out there rather than come back to the run at night.

rising_from_the_ashes

mmmm see where you're coming from on this one!

I guess I could make a fairly large, easily moved pen (pretty sure my DIY would stretch to this!) which I could put them in, in the field? (I could move this to different parts on a regular basis)

It would still give them some variety and different places to root around - I def need to be able to get them in as I'm sure there will be foxes around.....

Rose_Crow

Hi Rising,

I got my coop from ebay, it's a raised coop with a run attached. Beware of ebay coops with runs, as they can be a bit small even for 3 hens - mine 3 hate being in their run and are only in there if I'm out all day. If you have a decent sized garden, it might be worth buying a coop, and building your own run so you can get it the size you want.

Can I put a word in about maybe getting some ex-battery hens, you've probably heard about them They would absolutely love to have a run around in your field, and it's so rewarding to see them become chickens again, plus they'll thank you with lots of eggs, my 3 are excellent layers If you're interested there lots of info on my chook blog: http://chooktowers.blogspot.com

sammyjammy

Just wanted to let you all know that I saw Poultry food and paraphernalia in Wilkinsons today, they seem to have it all available online as well, don't know if its any good but the prices looked very cheap. They had a big red feeder for £2.99, hopefully it'll save someone a few pennies.

Sam

Rose_Crow

sammyjammy wrote: »

Just wanted to let you all know that I saw Poultry food and paraphernalia in Wilkinsons today, they seem to have it all available online as well, don't know if its any good but the prices looked very cheap. They had a big red feeder for £2.99, hopefully it'll save someone a few pennies.

Sam

That's good sammy, will have a look myself. I think the general rule of thumb is to buy your chook feed etc. from a proper feed merchant, rather than somewhere like Pets at Home, as their prices are far higher than stand alone places.

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks grn.w.nv

I had originally been thinking of something like this http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/cocoon-cc3000-chicken-coop-house.html (I have a bad back and some of the runs appear to be very low and you'd have to practically be on your knees to get in).

A coop with a HM run may be a good solution, something like http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/cocoon-cc600-chicken-coop-house.html

I'd sort of dismissed these as they are all just about at ground level - we get lots of snow every year so I thought it may be better for them to be off the ground?

Re battery hens - yup, I'd love to rehome some and hoping I'll be able to find some in my area when the time comes.

I realise it's probably the wrong time of year to be doing this as we're just coming up to winter but hoping if I come on here and learn from everyone I'll be able to get some in the spring!

Mojisola

grn.w.nv wrote: »

Can I put a word in about maybe getting some ex-battery hens, you've probably heard about them They would absolutely love to have a run around in your field, and it's so rewarding to see them become chickens again, plus they'll thank you with lots of eggs, my 3 are excellent layers

One issue with ex-battery hens is that they don't live very long so you have to get used to having a regular change-over.

Money_maker

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

I had originally been thinking of something like this http://www.chickencoopsandhouses.co.uk/cocoon-cc3000-chicken-coop-house.html (I have a bad back and some of the runs appear to be very low and you'd have to practically be on your knees to get in).

I would suggest something a little bigger than this for 3 hens. They recommend min 1 m2 per hen and this one comes up just over 2.5 m2. I have one very similar (255 x 83 x 104 - just noticed mines bigger!) for a single hen (long story, sees other hens regularly, garden pet) which I think would be a bit too cosy for two hens.

poohbear59

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

My garden backs onto a huge field so I'm hoping the "girls" will be able to have a roam around there on days when I'm home (only access through a door in a 6 ft high fence so they couldn't get in / out themselves).

I have been keeping hens since 2003, sometimes as many as 15. We are surrounded by fields and I find that they will wander in the field, my side garden and sometimes wander up or down the lane. When I introduce new hens, ex battery etc. they follow the older ones around. I had one hen that liked to roost in the shed if we left the door open but other than that one we have never had problems with them coming home at night. They know where the food is.

Our neighbour on the other hand lost 8 hens to me. We went on holiday and came back to find our flock doubled in size. He never fed his hens, preferring them to find their own food. Word soon got around to them that we had a plentiful supply of good food. His yard is about 1/4 mile from us. My experience and that of other people in rural areas like this is that they know where to go back to for food. HTH


I am going to collect some POL pullets this week in the hope we will have an egg or two over the Winter. My ex batts aren't giving me any