Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

Syman

chicken do not NEED grass, however they will need somewhere to scratch about, it is their natural instinct and it also helps keep claws under control. They will probably not have a problem on the decking but WILL poop all over it (do not under-estimate how much poo a chicken can produce) the wood chip area may be suitable but making a decision without knowing the size is difficult.

As for coops, the best thing you can do is to visit a local breeder who will be able to advise you. If you are looking on the likes of fleabay then i would suggest for four birds looking for a coop that would house six.

I have a couple of local cats that appear in my garden, they never really get close enough to my girls to cause any worry, in fact i think the cats are more scared of the girls, than the girls of the cats.

But to be brutally honest, i don't think the set up as you have described will really be suitable in the long term.

mike_pl

house_mum wrote: »

105 pages is a lot to read through! Thinking of a simple hutch for 3-4 hens, one ready made with raised sleeping area/enclosed run.

Do you need to do anything to prevent salmonella from home raised hens? How long do hens live? Do they get a lot of problems that require a vet? Or is it really as simple as buy hutch, add hens, feed/water/clean coop and bingo, fresh eggs?

same problem... any chance somebody could direct to some useful info?
and to add few ow my own (questions) how much doeas it actually cost to keep hens... how big should be the coop and run for 2/4 hens? if I want to build the coop what should I consider? and projects plans somewhere?

caitybabes

mike_pl wrote: »

same problem... any chance somebody could direct to some useful info?
and to add few ow my own (questions) how much doeas it actually cost to keep hens... how big should be the coop and run for 2/4 hens? if I want to build the coop what should I consider? and projects plans somewhere?

We bought a run and feeder and drinker and coop on eBay for £125 which included everything they had for their chickens (vermex, diatom, layers pellets, wood
Shavings, straw). We quickly realised the 1x2m run was not big enough for three chickens so bought a 6ft x 9ft walk in run, again it was on eBay, for £53 (full price they're about £300 but we did have to disassemble ourselves). They eat about a 20kg bag of layers pellets every 6 weeks or so which costs us £8.95. Sawdust is £10 for a big bag which lasts about four months. Straw for nest box is v cheap. Hope that helps!

mike_pl

as in title...
any idea what could I use for a fence in chicken coop run?
I don't really want to pay 50 quid for a roll of wire netting... and propositions for some replacements or where can I get it cheaper??

caitybabes

It depends if it is just to keep your chickens in a certain area, or if it is to keep them safe from predators. If it's just to keep them in, you could use anything you can get your hands on. If the latter, you could have a look for some weldmesh one ebay. Alternatively, look for a second hand run. We bought a walk-in run on ebay for £53 for one that was 6ft x 9ft x 6ft tall. We did have to dismantle it ourselves which took ages but at least it was cheap as all the panels were already made.

sunnysurrey_2

Hi chickens don't seem to like flying over pea netting - I use it to fence in my veg using garden canes, so that would do as a temporary run enclosure. If you want full predator proof for a permanent run you'll need a solid base, I use paving slabs with wood chips on top & weldmesh panels for sides & roof which will stop foxes & rats. Neighbour down the road has lost his chickens twice to foxes & he has a different set up to me, although I do let the chickens freerange in the garden when I'm at home. Second hand pre made runs would be the cheapest way to go I think.

zippychick

ive merged this with our keeping chickens thread

Zip

Thriftkitten

I haven't posted in a long time, but wanted to share my rich pickings at the general household auctions today..... I bid for and won about 40 copies of The Smallholder and Home Gardening paper magazines dating from 1934- 1944.... I'm so excited to read them as I love this era, there is loads of info on chickens..... can't believe my luck, hope to be posting a lot more soon x

Eliza_2

WOW!!! That is stunning, I'd love something like that, I never thought to look in general auctions for old mags. Brilliant. As a matter of interest, how much did you pay for them?

Am very insanely jealous!!!....she says running to the local paper to find out when the next auctions are....

Thriftkitten

Eliza wrote: »

WOW!!! That is stunning, I'd love something like that, I never thought to look in general auctions for old mags. Brilliant. As a matter of interest, how much did you pay for them?

Am very insanely jealous!!!....she says running to the local paper to find out when the next auctions are....

Well I got a bit carried away, but I wanted them, they were £20 and there is about 30 odd all dating from 1935-1944 I think:j