I know this is NL but any chicken keepers/knowledgable people on here? also in SB

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Hedwards

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Hi, I've posted in SB, but thought i'd try in here too,

I've been thinking about getting a couple of chooks to keep in my back garden, I have a large redundant rabbit hutch (that I've been told by a couple of people that with a bit of alteration would be a perfectly good chicken house), and I've always liked the idea of having a couple for the eggs (plus I've always quite liked chickens - no idea why). I have to point out at this stage that I dont yet have permission from my landlord, only just asked the question today so waiting to hear back - therefore it may never happen (fingers crossed though)

So, assuming I get permission, and can sort out the hen house properly (I'll also be using the fantastic run i have), what do i need to know, where should i get the chickens from (I'd really like to rescue a couple of battery hens, but dont know if thats best), what else do i need, what should i feed them (I'll let them roam the garden - with clipped wings - under supervision) basically anything anyone can tell me will be gratefully receievd!
 
We got some ex battery hens last autumn, and they're fab. Pretty easy to keep and feed, and a constant supply of eggs!

If you go to www.bhwt.co.uk they have pages of advice on how to rehome and keep hens - much easier to pass you on to their site than write it all down...:o

I would say, fence a bit of your garden off. They make a great mess, and foxes will be there like a flash -day or night. We fenced off a large area behind our stables and dug the chicken mesh into the ground, along with 7" boards to stop the foxes digging under, and we haven't had any problems, touch wood, so far.
 
Buy chooks from anyone who deals in them/a 26 week (point of lay) hybrid would suit you best,pure bred breeds such a Marans are more expensive,hybrids around £8..£10 each. They need a nest area,an old orange box with hay in will do,perch bar for sleeping at night and wood shavings on the floor. Outside fresh water at all times ,and feed once or twice a day with layers pellets.Easy. Be sure the run is entirely fox proof,better to shut them in at night though. Google PreLoved is a good place to start looking.
Ex battery hens can be good,but also can be heart breakers ,often just dying.One lot I had were super..the next just clapped out and bald,they died. Never again ,unless free of course. Your 26 week birds should lay for a good two to three years,with out times to moult .
 
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I always feel a bit uncomfortable about the idea of rescuing battery hens, as if I'm somehow buying into the battery system by providing homes for the unwanted birds. Not sure if this is true but might be worth looking into.

I keep Pekins, they are bantams, very cute and fluffy with feathery legs, and easy to tame. They only lay in the summer though so if you are looking for all year round layers you are better the comercial breeds.

A word of caution, bigger birds, as opposed to bantams, can be very destructive in a garden. They love to dig up flower beds and their poo isn't great for the lawn as well as making a mess on paths/gravel etc.

I have only got into chickens this summer, have hatched my own using my mums incubator and I'm loving it. have fun
 
We got some on Saturday and i had no idea they produced so much poo and created such a mess!! They have decimated the ground in their coop in just 5 days so we are looking to put a thick layer of sand down to control the mud situation. Having said that though they are quite fun, not very tame yet but have laid 8 eggs so far! I would make sure you have room for a 'muck heap' and plenty of storage for feed, bedding etc. Good luck.
 
EAST KENT said:
Buy chooks from anyone who deals in them/a 26 week (point of lay) hybrid would suit you best, .
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I have three of these (had four but Mr Fox got one when we were still at the farm). I have a grey West Sussex hybrid and two Black Rock Hybrids. The WS is a bit shy but the Black Rocks are so familiar its scary . One in particular will take on my jack russell for any tit bits going. She will also venture into the kitchen to 'chat' and even jumped onto the table to inspect the fruit bowl!! My OH has his veggie garden fenced off and we had to clip their wings when we moved back to urban life as they kept going to visit the neighbour :). We pacify them by giving them eggs as mine lay most days and we hardly keep up with the eating of the eggs.

They do scratch around alot (luckily our garden is fairly big) and I do poo pick up after them (and the dogs) and we put them into bed every night. They used the garden shed for ages and now have a fancy coop bought off ebay.

I feed the layers pellets and every other day - some corn but they eat anything and everything - the cheeky one even fought the dogs for their food so I have to lock the dogs apart from the chickens when they eat their food. The love grapes, rice, mash, bread (obviously all in moderation). I have had mine nearly 2 years now. :)
 
Thanks all - the poo bit is solved - going straight onto my mums compost heap!

Will I be ok just keeping two?

I've already planned the chicken house, At the moment the hutch has an open mesh fronted area and a closed in house bit. I'm going to board the mesh bit (with added air holes) and put a perch the full length, and leave the closed bit as the nesting area. then build a run that will go out the side of the hutch with a little ramp. does that all sound ok?
 
If you are going to use your rabbit hutch, bear in mind that chickens want somewhere to roost, that means they want a perch to sit on. They also want a small area to lay their eggs in. Does your rabbit hutch have enough head room to allow that ?

As others have said, don't underestimate the amount of poo that a large chicken produces. You would be better of with a run, that you could maybe move around your garden to give them fresh grass to eat. They can be quite destructive. The problem with letting them roam the garden, is that in summer when it stays light, they will still be walking round the garden when you want to shut them away for safety.
 
Hedwards said:
Thanks all - the poo bit is solved - going straight onto my mums compost heap!

Will I be ok just keeping two?

I've already planned the chicken house, At the moment the hutch has an open mesh fronted area and a closed in house bit. I'm going to board the mesh bit (with added air holes) and put a perch the full length, and leave the closed bit as the nesting area. then build a run that will go out the side of the hutch with a little ramp. does that all sound ok?
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Your hutch / chicken house sounds very much like mine :)

I think 2 will be fine - they are fun :)
 
BigRed said:
If you are going to use your rabbit hutch, bear in mind that chickens want somewhere to roost, that means they want a perch to sit on. They also want a small area to lay their eggs in. Does your rabbit hutch have enough head room to allow that ?

As others have said, don't underestimate the amount of poo that a large chicken produces. You would be better of with a run, that you could maybe move around your garden to give them fresh grass to eat. They can be quite destructive. The problem with letting them roam the garden, is that in summer when it stays light, they will still be walking round the garden when you want to shut them away for safety.
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Yes, definitely high enough - Its a good 2 foot from top to bottom, and from what i've seen looking at the 'Omlet' site, their houses just have the perches on the bottom with a pull out tray below.

The run will be moved as and when neccessary, however I'm thinking about doing a layer of sand like another poster suggested (dont know if that was this on or the one in SB!) Oh and they'll only be out when I'm around, so not all day!
 
Hi,

Part of our farm is breeding Poultry. No this isn't a sales pitch!

Some tips on their home:
1) a rabbit hutch can be adapted but they must have a perch, not just a piece of 1" squared timber, round off the edges first.
2) Nest box is a good idea too, and if you have a trio of hens, then 2 would save squabbles over it.
3) What kind of material is the roof to their proposed new house?
4) I assume if you have a run then they can have access to this when you are not about
5) MITES - this is a glorious time of year for them, so you need to keep on top of 'daily checks'. Mites can take a bird out (dead) very very quickly and often they seem fine, some do go green in the come or listless first. Onduline roofing is best as it's not somewhere they like to live.
6) Bedding material - keep it dust free they have sinus issues like people - so fresh and clean!
7) Water drinker OFF the floor - a brick is fine, or they will poo in it and then drink it - ewww

Rats - yes when you have poultry you will also have the friendly local rat population hang about alot more. Be prepared to plan your nuclear warfare.
You WILL see more of them.
What most people don't consider is that they are already there, it's just further numbers breed or live nearer when you have poultry.

Choosing your birds:

Ex Bats - we have alot of experience here. I agree with a previous poster on here about the highs/lows of them.
Firstly, their life has been intense, they have had protein and chemical (in their food) levels that are not particulary great for the chicken, so there can be alot of underlying issues there.
They have little clue about outside but do get used to it.
They can take a very long time to adjust, moult and get going with the eggs again, so be prepared for an egg famine potentially.

"Rare Breeds" be careful what kind of breed you choose, choose wisely in terms of the home you are offering.
Some need space to roam, some like ALOT of grass, some are so messed about with as a breed that they lay very few eggs and have some health issues and so it goes on.

MAKE SURE that any birds ARE vaccinated and wormed, huge area of problems here, fairly obvious.
Be cautious of birds kept on very poached/hammered ground, best to try and choose birds that have been in good size runs/free range if you can.

AGE is also important. A good breeder knows each hatch, age etc...

I think if you have an average size garden, a house and run then some hybrids would be great, they are hardy and VERY friendly.
A maran would also suit, they lay very dark eggs, but not as many, don't expect them every day, but they are a larger bird.

There are also white, blue, green egg layers too.

Get a good book and start reading prior to buying, then you have some idea, especially of the mites/daily care as this needs to be right for them.

I have probably confused you but hope this helps in part.
 
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Thanks CHH, thats brilliant info!

I was planning to use an old broom handle i have as a perch - would that be suitable - otherwise i'll find something else rounded.

I'm only planning on 2 chooks - the nest area is quite large - would it be ok?

The roof is that felt stuff like on sheds, only recovered last winter.

Was going to use shavings as bedding (ample supply that i'll steal from the bales i use for the horse)

Hadnt realised about the water, have lots of bricks i can use.

Rats wise, I have a lurcher and JRT - who will hopefully make me aware of any unwanted guests - but I'll probably keep the food in my utility room for storage which i'm hoping will reduce the problem slightly - but i'll be on my guard!
 
Hi,

As an aside I have found this forum quite a lovely distraction from my million and one 'office duties' :)

Perch space. Each bird should have about 8" of space, so should they not get on they have plenty of room from eachother!

Also, the perch needs to be between 1.5" and 2.5" thick, we often recommend a piece of tree branch if you can find such a thing.
Other wish just make sure you are in that diameter, main reason is the size and shape of their feet. They sleep on their perch (most of the time although I would say 10% of ours don't most nights).

Your hutch - do you have a picture?

The material on the hutch roof is felt, and a breeding ground for mites, so be careful and watch out for those little blighters.
Always have in stock some powder - use it to dust their beddings and also the hens every so often.

I would err on the side of caution of keeping just two hens to be honest, a trio means a better chance if there is a very 'bossy' one.
The term "Hen pecked" is literal and they can be so awful to eachother.
You haven't seen violence till you watch a hissy hen!

On the plus, hens are great fun, individual characters and can become very tame.

There is nothing like fresh eggs from your own hens for breakfast.
 
We have a trio of bantams, two hens and a cock (and one ex-show one, who is seperate as she doesn't know what to do with herself yet).

We house them in a converted dog kennel with perches, and a nest box attatched onto the side, they even have a hatch door! :)

They are really easy to keep, and very tame (especially the show bird, she thinks she is a person I swear).

Thay have the run of the side garden and prove very useful for the vegetable garden (when it's not in use), and are excellent pest control!
 
CHH said:
Hi,

As an aside I have found this forum quite a lovely distraction from my million and one 'office duties' :)

Perch space. Each bird should have about 8" of space, so should they not get on they have plenty of room from eachother!

Also, the perch needs to be between 1.5" and 2.5" thick, we often recommend a piece of tree branch if you can find such a thing.
Other wish just make sure you are in that diameter, main reason is the size and shape of their feet. They sleep on their perch (most of the time although I would say 10% of ours don't most nights).

Your hutch - do you have a picture?

The material on the hutch roof is felt, and a breeding ground for mites, so be careful and watch out for those little blighters.
Always have in stock some powder - use it to dust their beddings and also the hens every so often.

I would err on the side of caution of keeping just two hens to be honest, a trio means a better chance if there is a very 'bossy' one.
The term "Hen pecked" is literal and they can be so awful to eachother.
You haven't seen violence till you watch a hissy hen!

On the plus, hens are great fun, individual characters and can become very tame.

There is nothing like fresh eggs from your own hens for breakfast.
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This is the closest thing i've been able to find, mine is a lot deeper (ie shorter legs) and about 6' long in total (probably 1 third the 'house' and the rest the open bit).

images1.jpg


Great advice about the roof and mites, definitely something i'll think about. should i consider creating another nest box and have 3 hens then?

Oh, and I'm sure i could get a branch suitable from somewhere (probably my grandparents garden!)
 
Hedwards said:
This is the closest thing i've been able to find, mine is a lot deeper (ie shorter legs) and about 6' long in total (probably 1 third the 'house' and the rest the open bit).

images1.jpg


Great advice about the roof and mites, definitely something i'll think about. should i consider creating another nest box and have 3 hens then?

Oh, and I'm sure i could get a branch suitable from somewhere (probably my grandparents garden!)
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Hello, I have kept chickens for about 6 years now, You have been given great advice on here.
The only thing I would add is I would get 3, If one gets ill, dies etc you won't have one on there own, they like company.

Good luck with the chooks

Jen
 
We have 4 bantams, had 3 but one went broody so put some fertile eggs under her with poor result of one chick!

The nest box does not need to be very big as they won't be in there all at the same time. Having said that ours seem to like it so much they generally ignore the perches and all crowd into one nest box to sleep -often on top of each other. I assume this is the chicken version of a cuddle!!!

I have to say i really love our bantams and would not be without them. We have poultry net which is a really easy way to have a run that you can move and alter to suit your requirements. Ours have a lot more lawn in the summer when it doesn't get churned up and is reduced in size for the winter.

If you are using shavings it's best to use the scented ones as they help repel mites apparently!
 
I agree with all CHH says and will add that you are better to keep food inside the hutch and to raise the hutch off the ground but about 1 ft and make a ramp. This means the rats will find it more difficult to chew into the hutch and cannot nest underneath it.

Rats are the bane of my life. All my houses are off the ground but the big hen house which is on breeze block, the blighters have gnawed through the floor to gain access.
 
this is our home made chook house
thDSC01261.jpg

although we have moved it the other side of the garden and extented an out door run,but the main house is shut at nite..chicken wired alaround including the roof

thisthis pic is when we first built it,after several bird ,yes we have had mite problem and lost birds to this also ive had a lovely banty who went broody 5-6 times and raise chicks including ducklings
we now have one maran,light sussex pullet and a banty pullet
shavings in the coop and straw or shavings on the floor which is a concrete based
also i put ACV in water

my son loves his chickens although we are only getting an egg a day atm until the other two start to lay
we feed layers,handfull of corn and through in a few weeds/grass
oh they love mealworms and fresh worms

also a one of those old plastic wendy houses be good as a chicken house..easy to clean and no mites can hide in plastic..we dont have them loose in the garden..too much poop and the dogs eat it..and they like to have a dust bath
 
Hutch should be Ok to adapt, I'd put the perch in the run bit as the 'bed' area which would become the nest box might become too crowded otherwise.

Keep feed and water in as others have said over night.

We use bedding with eucalyptus infused which helps with breathing and also put the mite powder into the bedding.

Keep your nest box ultra clean and in turn this keeps the eggs clean and easier to wash off, less hassle for you.

I gave up naming them awhile back, but we have descriptive names now like "white bottom" etc... as we have so many.

Rats - bane of our life too:)
But we do have an effective control progamme that has taken years to figure out, but it works.
In part I admire their intelligence and ability to adapt and often figure traps etc.. out. There was a season here when they learnt to trigger the traps with stones believe or not!
Bait boxes, shooting, gas pellets and sticky pads are a good combo approach.

Dogs are great, but unless you leave them out all night, the rats will simply learn their 'safe time'.
 
RESCUE EX BATS... VISIT BHWT WEBSITE OR THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE!!!!

Sorry, but ex bats are amazing, its either you rescue them of they die, you arent buying into the battery hen trade, you are contributing to the charities trying to stop it!!

They are fabulous, lay eggs galore, tame as you like, nosey, funny, brave... Its the most amazing feeling to take in a creature so bald and sorry looking and watch it transform into a beautiful red chook who is more than happy to be loved.

They are honestly amazing, have a look on the british hen welfare trust website, and their facebook page, which is full of testimonies and people discussing their ex bats. that should give you an idea. :)
 
I got a big coop/covered run off ebay for 100 quid with delivery! Its approx 5ft by 3ft by 3ft tall. I also have a small dog kennel which I converted into a little nighttime coop. I have a very small garden (35ft ish long by 20 ish wide) I have sacrificied over half the garden for my chooks- I have put some fencing up as i found that they pooed for britian and my dogs/kids kept standing in it and my god-chicken poo stinks!!
Here is my little setup, I keep no more than 8 chooks at any time. Please note lack of grass!!!
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We got our chicken coop from here....

http://www.whitebarnpoultryandanimalhousing.co.uk/Extras.html

Not suggesting you buy from them, however the accessories page will give you some ideas of what things are like in a Chicken coop - things like the nesting boxes are really reasonable though.
We have a mixture of blackrock Hybrids, Lace Wine dots, a Frizzle Brahma, and my mums newest passion - Bluebells.
Ours have the run of a Croft, go into the paddocks, spend alot of time down on the yard, and even go on the lane - they are truly free range.

We have a water tray that's tied off the floor outside, as the neighbours ducks try and paddle in anything that has water in it - they make a right mess.
We also the neighbours broody hen in our nest box everyday - my mum is going to sin-bin her as she's sick of the site of her.
If we get a broody hen, we pop them into an old dog crate for a few days in the stable b(sinbin) - mum recognises when they're not broody anymore by the type of clucking they do??? The don't lay when they're broody, just sit and the neighbours has been broody forever.

PS think a Broom handle would make a great perch, although think you made need a heavy blanket / old horse rug in the winter to lay over the top of the mesh door to keep out the cold.

They also like a dust bath in the dry weather, so do dig, and make hollows to do this, so your sand idea is a good one as they'll love it. They will make a mess though
 
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Ive got a shed with deep straw on the floor and a huge dogbed suspended halfway up. only one has learned to perch so they prefer this.

The 'run' is a 3 pheasant pens 12X12 along the bottom of the garden, but they have free run because the house is detatched and far from other houses and our gardens pretty big.

I feed them scoops of pellet/MC in the morning and evening on the grass at the top of the garden. they eat from the floor better than from a tub and prefer it.
 
i forgot to add, even though there is plenty of room for them all to sleep- they all squish in the same corner on top of each other. so lots of room doesnt mean they will use it!!
 
Thanks everyone, this is all really useful stuff - I'm still waiting to hear back from my landlord, keeping everything crossed!

The whitebarn website is really useful, especially for building the run.

Keep everything crossed for me!
 
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