Keeping chickens

bambos

We are planning on keeping ex batt hens x4 on our allotment. We have brought a large enclosed walk in run for eBay which is 4meters long and 1.9meters wide. We have a coop to go inside and an automatic door opener for mornings. I am planning on laying the run on our old patio so it's completely hard standing so mr fox cannot make an entry underneath.

I'm going to lay a thick layer of bark for scratching around and an area for dust bathing. I'm looking for more tips and advice regarding making their home more comfortable and more fox proof. The allotment is opposite our house so under a thirty second walk and I will be visiting twice daily.

GwylimT

Are you also anchoring the enclosure to the ground?

bambos

GwylimT wrote: »

Are you also anchoring the enclosure to the ground?

I hadn't thought of that will consider some kind of anchor, thanks

teddysmum

Do be sure to have the enclosure super secure, as an internet friend of mine has had much heartbreak after foxes got to her chickens, in what seemed to be a very secure housing.

suki1964

Make everything twice the size you originally plan

Chickens are addictive and there's a wee thing called chicken math to contend with

Mupette

Make sure you have sought permission from the lotty association.

bambos

Thanks everyone, great advice. We have asked the allotment committee and it's going to their next meeting on 28th June. We are only allowed a max of five hens so we are getting four and if we want more we could potentially get one more. We have a 14ft by 8ft run so hopefully that will be big enough for four/five hens?

Mojisola

bambos wrote: »

We have brought a large enclosed walk in run for eBay which is 4meters long and 1.9meters wide. We have a coop to go inside and an automatic door opener for mornings.

What is the run made from? Foxes (and badgers) will tear through chicken wire if they are set on getting at the chooks.

I am planning on laying the run on our old patio so it's completely hard standing so mr fox cannot make an entry underneath.

I'm going to lay a thick layer of bark for scratching around and an area for dust bathing.

Bark or straw on a solid base can work quite well.

If you use straw, it makes a very good addition to the compost heap when you clear it out.

suki1964

bambos wrote: »

Thanks everyone, great advice. We have asked the allotment committee and it's going to their next meeting on 28th June. We are only allowed a max of five hens so we are getting four and if we want more we could potentially get one more. We have a 14ft by 8ft run so hopefully that will be big enough for four/five hens?

If you can have five get them all in one go. Trying to introduce a lone hen later can be full of strife. Serious bullying to bloodshed an worse

ali-t

Come on over to the keeping hens and ducks chat. Loads of interestiñg info and support there.

bambos

Mojisola wrote: »

Bark or straw on a solid base can work quite well.

If you use straw, it makes a very good addition to the compost heap when you clear it out.

Thanks, the frame is wooden and the wire is thick galvanised metal (much much thicker than chicken wire)