Beginners Chicken keeping questions!
Discussion
After some advice on keeping chickens.
We're decided on it and understand the level of time/care they need.
I want some advice on what type of run and coop to go for.
The intention is to buy a pre built coop, I'm not decided on what type to go for yet though. The only things that are a definite are that it will be off the ground and have a vertical sliding door in case I want to go for an auto opener at some point.
The intention is that they will have the run of half the front garden (which is fenced from the road) in a run that just has mesh up to waist height and then be shut away at night.
My questions are on the safety of this arrangement and also the practicality. Would I be better to have a taller run with a mesh roof for more safety? We have never seen foxes in our area, but as it's rural, they are obviously around. There is a local hunt so I'm not sure if this keeps them at bay a little?
Are we safe to just let them out each morning and shut them away at night? Would this be OK if we went out during the day etc? Then fenced area will be around 20sq m.
Thanks!
We're decided on it and understand the level of time/care they need.
I want some advice on what type of run and coop to go for.
The intention is to buy a pre built coop, I'm not decided on what type to go for yet though. The only things that are a definite are that it will be off the ground and have a vertical sliding door in case I want to go for an auto opener at some point.
The intention is that they will have the run of half the front garden (which is fenced from the road) in a run that just has mesh up to waist height and then be shut away at night.
My questions are on the safety of this arrangement and also the practicality. Would I be better to have a taller run with a mesh roof for more safety? We have never seen foxes in our area, but as it's rural, they are obviously around. There is a local hunt so I'm not sure if this keeps them at bay a little?
Are we safe to just let them out each morning and shut them away at night? Would this be OK if we went out during the day etc? Then fenced area will be around 20sq m.
Thanks!
Thanks all, I had meant to reply to this the other day and forgot.
I think my plan is sorted now and I'm happy with it.
I will be going for one of the cheaper generic chinese special Coops at this point. I know that the most I can expect from it is 3 or 4 years and this ties in with the life of the birds so will allow us to decide if we are in it for the long hall or not. Plus, I just cant justify the £600+ to buy something from Flytesofancy etc.
I'm going to fence off an area 10m x 5m that they will be allowed to use when we are at home. The coop and attached run will be kept inside this. When we go out, the birds go into the run. I've bought a large roll of welded wire mesh for the fence and will also use some of this as a skirt for the coop as an extra safety measure for when we are out, but the birds are not in the coop.
Our daily routine fits quite well with looking after them as I leave early each morning so can let them out then. My wife will then put them in the run if she goes out during the day. I will then put them in the coop at dusk once the kids are in bed etc.
I think my plan is sorted now and I'm happy with it.
I will be going for one of the cheaper generic chinese special Coops at this point. I know that the most I can expect from it is 3 or 4 years and this ties in with the life of the birds so will allow us to decide if we are in it for the long hall or not. Plus, I just cant justify the £600+ to buy something from Flytesofancy etc.
I'm going to fence off an area 10m x 5m that they will be allowed to use when we are at home. The coop and attached run will be kept inside this. When we go out, the birds go into the run. I've bought a large roll of welded wire mesh for the fence and will also use some of this as a skirt for the coop as an extra safety measure for when we are out, but the birds are not in the coop.
Our daily routine fits quite well with looking after them as I leave early each morning so can let them out then. My wife will then put them in the run if she goes out during the day. I will then put them in the coop at dusk once the kids are in bed etc.
I'd planned to get four hybrids from this guy http://www.motherhenspoultry.com
He's been hugely helpful and pretty local to me too. From what I understand the hybrids are quite hardy, not too fussy and good layers. As a first timer, this appeals!
He's been hugely helpful and pretty local to me too. From what I understand the hybrids are quite hardy, not too fussy and good layers. As a first timer, this appeals!
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff