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Hi my first post on this thread as I've just discovered it.
We've kept hens in the garden for around 5 years now. Our first 3 were kept in an area fenced off. After 2 years during some absolutely freezing weather Mr Fox despatched them, taking one for supper and killing the other two.
Our next attempt was 6 hens, moved into a much more secure fenced area- not covered and they managed well, the biggest problem was pigeons also treating it as caf! central! A couple died, and then another, and another- no symptoms just dead. Then we were down to two, Snow White and Tufty. They had a great time, jumped and climbed out of the pen every day and free ranged all over the garden, returning at night to their house. Sadly after being chased by visiting dogs (they chased our dogs and the Labrador is scared of them) Snow White died. Tufty being all alone was upset and started pulling her feathers out.
Fast forward 2 days later, despatch Tufty? Re-home Tufty our most timid hen to date? Buy her some friends? Well guess what we couldn't kill her, didn't want her picked on so she has four new friends!
Pigeons were blamed for the earlier demise of the majority of the second batch, so now we've bought them a covered run with the Hen House placed inside. 6x3 metres, with 2 metres having a tarpaulin over it- the keep the worst of the weather off the Hen House and keep an area dry, they have a large Lilac bush inside the run that holds them all when they want to be on it, a low wall for hopping and climbing and several branches they perch on. This weekend I have to make a swing for them.
The new ones have started laying, so we're getting 4 eggs a day at the moment, tufty always laid 6 eggs a week, and has started re-laying hers are much bigger green eggs, so she must be happy and is now boss hen because she is older and they came into her patch!
I'm going to follow this thread with interest and try to read through it all over the coming weeks. Thank you.
Originally posted by crv1963
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Hi welcome to our hen friendly thread.
Aww I am so pleased that Tufty is now ok and has new friends to keep her company.
Sadly commercial caged hens more often than not pull their feathers out. You only have to rescue some to see the poor condition some of them are in. It's so sad when they do that.
Looks like yours have plenty to keep them amused which is great. Marvellous idea to give them some shelter within the coop somewhere so at least that will keep them dry when it rains which is a bonus for them.
Do you have names for the 4 new hens yet? Do you know which breed they are?.
Glad you are going to continue reading on here as there are a lot of useful hints and tips within the posts.
Edwink
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Hens & ducks chat thread
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5282209