Allotments 4 All

Produce => Kept Animals => Topic started by: Isleworth on July 10, 2008, 10:21:56

Title: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Isleworth on July 10, 2008, 10:21:56: When I was living at home with my Parents we had a huge garden and I kept various different Breed's of Chicken along with Peafowl and various aviary birds, but everything had to go when I left home to move in with my partner.

Been five years since I last kept Poultry and have just received permission from the council to build a coop and keep laying hens on my allotment :) Going to start off with 3 pol Warrens to test the water i.e. Vandals, Kids, Complaints etc... and see how we go.

Really looking forward to getting back to eating real fresh eggs and the ups and downs of poultry keeping!
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: kt. on July 10, 2008, 11:19:16: I am so pleased having my hens. Wouldn't be without hens now. I am sure you will be pleased with yours too.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Rosyred on July 11, 2008, 16:05:29: Hello,

I'm not far from you only in UB6. Good luck with the chickens they are good fun.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Patrick King on July 11, 2008, 17:49:36: go for it, go grab a bunch. then another then another ;D you wont stop wanting more.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: mark45 on July 11, 2008, 20:26:27: thats what i wanted a allotment for, but we not allowd to keep live stock on our allotments anymore cropping only now,so i grow crops now only, but i got my racing pigeons in my back garden at home
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Isleworth on July 15, 2008, 14:40:34: :) Thanks for all the replies...

Hen house/coop is now ordered! No luck finding a second hand one locally and they were going for silly money on eBay so decided to buy one in the end... Saw one I liked for a good price so decided to go for it :)

This is the house/coop I have ordered:
(http://www.ideas-4-pets.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/covered-chicken-cottage-ii_crop.jpg)
(http://www.ideas-4-pets.com/images/large/RS709_crop_04_LRG.jpg)

Still a fare bit of work to do before I go and pick up some hens i.e. Level off the area, Lay the paving slab edging and put the coop together. Extension to the pen will be done after I'm up and running as I need to wait for the next pay day before I spend anymore money on the allotment LOL.

Barlbylofts: It's funny how the rule 'No Livestock' can differ depending on the allotment, our rules state: No Livestock may be kept on allotment site *With the exception of Hens & Rabbits.

I think this is because they used to be kept more often for food in towns and cities and therefor are not classed as pets. Might be worth you checking what you site owners class as "Livestock"... Just a thought.

Cheers,

IsleworthTW7
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Patrick King on July 15, 2008, 14:56:02: haha i was looking at the same coop/run on ebay last night for my garden. but i decided on making one as i didnt think it was big enough for the chooks i keep.

how many chickens you thinking of putting in there?
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Isleworth on July 15, 2008, 16:20:27: Planning on 4 Isa Brown/Warren hens... Not sure if you know but they do a bantam one aswell which is slightly smaller.

This one is 6.5 ft x 2.5 ft x 3.5 ft width incl nest box x depth x height, think it should be ok for 4 Warrens

(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:EIl80L0TlRZFXM:http://www.vepymo.be/images/isabrown.gif)

Got this one for £175.99 including delivery... only catch is that it won't be dispatched until August as it's a pre-order price.
Usual eBay price is supposed to be £299 when they have them in stock so seemed like a good deal ;)
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Patrick King on July 15, 2008, 18:05:09: yeah that run will be ok for 4 chickens. i only brough the size up as i have seen the exact one being advertised to house 8-9 large birds :o insane.

any how the 4 should love it in there.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: kt. on July 15, 2008, 19:40:31: Looking good. A mansion for 4 hens. Penthouse. ;D
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Jitterbug on July 16, 2008, 13:34:56: Oh - what a lovely chicken coop ;D ;D

I have really been shocked seeing the small ones that the poor chickens live in - I cannot believe a metre per chicken is enough!

But seeing this one I am really interested and yes, I know it is an expensive outlay but at least you know that your chickens will be safe and happy which is really why we get to keep our own chickens in the first place.

We are allowed chickens on our allotments and I even phoned our council to check if I could keep them at home - and I believe that I can - so am toying with the idea of keeping them at home or might have to wait until I get another half lottie so that I can keep them there. ??? ???

Can you tell me what they are called or let me have the website address so that I can go and look and order one myself. Guess what is going on my christmas list.... ;)

Jitterbug
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Kendy on July 16, 2008, 13:44:07: Quick search on ebay and here it is :-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chicken-Poultry-coop-CAT-Hen-house-Rabbit-Hutch-047_W0QQitemZ360070507003QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360070507003&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1308 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chicken-Poultry-coop-CAT-Hen-house-Rabbit-Hutch-047_W0QQitemZ360070507003QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360070507003&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1308)

Am also thinking hens and like the look of the Eglu from Omlet. A bit more expensive but looks easy maintenance
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Isleworth on July 16, 2008, 22:27:11: Quote from: Kendy on July 16, 2008, 13:44:07
Am also thinking hens and like the look of the Eglu from Omlet. A bit more expensive but looks easy maintenance

Hi Kendy,

Only problem I have with the Eglu is that they are expensive & light weight which makes them easy to steal and very resellable on places like eBay...

Not much good for the allotment environment.

Regards,

TW7
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Jitterbug on July 17, 2008, 11:24:18: Thanks for the web address - how many chickens do you think could live comfortably in this house. Also, could I put a turkey in with them.

Guess what's on the top of my Christmas list to Santa this year??

Jitterbug
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Kendy on July 17, 2008, 12:02:47: Quote from: IsleworthTW7 on July 16, 2008, 22:27:11
Quote from: Kendy on July 16, 2008, 13:44:07
Am also thinking hens and like the look of the Eglu from Omlet. A bit more expensive but looks easy maintenance

Hi Kendy,

Only problem I have with the Eglu is that they are expensive & light weight which makes them easy to steal and very resellable on places like eBay...

Not much good for the allotment environment.

Regards,

TW7

True - was thinking more of putting in my rear garden rather than allotment. Very secluded with 8ft solid wooden fence and bushes/shrubs etc.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Patrick King on July 17, 2008, 15:03:26: Quote from: Jitterbug on July 17, 2008, 11:24:18
Thanks for the web address - how many chickens do you think could live comfortably in this house. Also, could I put a turkey in with them.

Guess what's on the top of my Christmas list to Santa this year??

Jitterbug
2-3 chickens maybe 4 at a push. but a turkey would out grow that quick.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Old bird on July 17, 2008, 15:13:42: Hi Kendy

I have one chicken running loose in my rear garden which is well fenced. She doesn't ever try to get out and her house is in my shed! (She was part of my intake of 12 ex batts who got injured and had to have some TLC)

She is just so sweet and is no trouble whatsoever! She is clearing the garden of slugs and snails too! She enjoys the company of my dogs and myself and is pretty entertaining!

I don't consider it necessary to spend a fortune - unless you have one to spend - in which case spend away - on housing for them is my actual drift said in a roundabout way!

Old Bird
;D
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Kendy on July 17, 2008, 16:31:25: Would want something secure to protect against foxes though and it would seem the Eglu is ideal for a garden.

The wooden one looks better for an allotment though - would be easy to use it as your base coop and build extended runs off it. It does seem a good price - have seen some of the wooden coops of a similar size costing more that an Eglu.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Old bird on July 18, 2008, 14:10:29: Kendy they are secure at night and where I live it is pretty suburban so there are no foxes here during the day. they are certainly around at night time but my chook is away in the shed by then!

Good luck with whatever you choose tho! I think those eglu things do look lovely and I would think they are fairly cosy for the hens too!

Old Bird

;D
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Kendy on July 18, 2008, 15:36:13: Reading some other posts re this type of coop. I get the impression that the way to keep foxes from digging under is to lay paving slabs all round the outside edge ? Sounds an excellent idea.

That might work in my garden especially if I put woodchip under the coop itself but design it so we could lift the coop out to replace the chippings occasionally. And I just happen to have some paving slabs spare !

What about red mite in the wooden ones ? The easy cleaning (with a pressure washer) is a big selling point for Eglus.

Mind you, my father had large chicken huts on his multi-plot allotment and can't recall it being an issue. Do remember him hitting a rat with a spade once !
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Old bird on July 18, 2008, 15:53:27: I think you will find that the Eglu's have that rigid wire along the outside so they are more moveable around the garden and a fox would find it very difficult to get in with the "apron type wire netting" round the eglu.

I am not sure that is what they use but the majority of pictures I have seen shows the wire round the base!

Old Bird

;D
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Kendy on July 18, 2008, 16:22:19: Yes, that's exactly how the Eglu works.

What I was meaning is that on the wooden coop detail earlier, putting paving slabs around the outside would be similar deterrent in that the fox would have to dig under further to get under the wire. Had an idea that you could attach wire to the bottom of the coop and put under the slab but then it couldn't be moved for replacing the chippings.

Certainly a lot cheaper that the Eglu but they appear to be lower maintenance.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Patrick King on July 18, 2008, 22:17:42: on my wooden chicken run, i attached wire to the bottom and dug it in the ground about 16-18inches of wire. works great, even better if you use slabs.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Kendy on July 18, 2008, 23:15:28: That's exactly what I was thinking but then I wouln't be able to lift it to move to replace chippings.
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Patrick King on July 19, 2008, 07:01:06: how big is the run going to be? is there a door for you to get it?
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Isleworth on July 22, 2008, 12:20:27: Quote from: Patrick King on July 19, 2008, 07:01:06
how big is the run going to be? is there a door for you to get it?

Sorry Patrick ??? bit lost now... To who are you asking this question?
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Isleworth on August 21, 2008, 09:24:41: Getting closer to my Poultry return now :)

Coop's arrived and is now built along with a Heras security panel run which will give the hens a bit more space to roam when I am down on the allotment. (No free ranging as the other plot holders would kill me if their prize lettuces etc.. get eaten lol)

Sadly won't be able to get it finished ready for the hens for another week or so, but at least it's a step nearer!

(http://www.freewebs.com/thehencoop/chickencoop1.jpg)

Zoolad
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: loopyloulou on August 22, 2008, 22:58:50: can i ask, those coops, are they just for nightime with the intention of letting them free range in the day (i can see the extended run thingy) or would 3 chooks be happy only to be in that run unless supervised? i live in an urban area which has plenty of cats including my own 2 so theyd spend more time in the run (safe) than out IF i did get one, and as a rough guide, how much do they cost to keep? in food etc? i wouldnt know where to begin with pricing up as i dont know how much they eat how often to treat for mites and vets jabs and so on....
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Isleworth on September 14, 2008, 07:49:55: Hi everyone,

Appologies for the delayed update...

Pen is now finished along with some new raised beds and I'm collecting the 3 hens today @ 11.30 ;D

Will pop some pictures on this evening!

All the best,

IsleworthTW7
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: Isleworth on September 14, 2008, 08:07:43: Quote from: loopyloulou on August 22, 2008, 22:58:50
can i ask, those coops, are they just for nightime with the intention of letting them free range in the day (i can see the extended run thingy) or would 3 chooks be happy only to be in that run unless supervised? i live in an urban area which has plenty of cats including my own 2 so theyd spend more time in the run (safe) than out IF i did get one, and as a rough guide, how much do they cost to keep? in food etc? i wouldnt know where to begin with pricing up as i dont know how much they eat how often to treat for mites and vets jabs and so on....

Hi Loopyloulou,

Sorry for the delayed reply!

I think the coop would be fine for two lrg hens like Warrens or a trio of Bantams non free ranging, if the coop is moved around the garden on a regular basis..

Re. Cost: It really depends how far you go... A bag of layers pellet isn't expensive and would last you for ages, if you don't have a local feed merchant you can get it at Pets@Home or even order online although this way it does become expensive with the delivery cost. Apart from a bag of shavings here and there and a bag of straw for the nest boxes there isn't really a lot of exspence once you have purchased the hens and coop.

Only other thing I can think of is the odd purchase of wormer, mite powder etc.. + when needed of course the Vet charges should anything go wrong.

HTH,

Isleworth
Title: Re: Returning to poultry... :)
Post by: B7jac on September 14, 2008, 13:18:41: I have exactly the same hen house buy maybe the bigger one, as was advertised to house 6 hens and was slightly more expensive, £235 I think. I was actually shocked when it came though as it looked smaller than I imagined ! dont know how anyone could keep 6 hens in there alone. I only have 4 RIR and even so I felt guilty about space so my hubby made a nice extension for it on the end opposite to nest box so the whole thing is now an L shape (all enclosed) and then we put some high fencing all around the whole thing providing extra 'free range' area for daytime. This works very well until I mistakingly let them free on my veggie area, and now they just want to come out all the time !!

I agree the Eglu looks fantastic and as Im having a problem with red mites this is a real added bonus and worth thinking about cos everyone will get them sometime ! But arent they a little small ?