Beginners Chicken Keeping
- Thread starter British Red
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nope all mixed up Ducks n geese dont fly or jump fence so can be shut in the pond and orchard area if needed but generally have the run of the whole garden
Chickens and bantams are the same but can jump fence so roam the fields as well
Quail are in a Hutch/run in the greenhouse as the fox likes them
You make them a lovely cosy coop filled with fresh shavings and an automatic door opener and closer and......
they sleep on the roof of the run!
Night Roost by British Red, on Flickr
Bird Brains!
they sleep on the roof of the run!
Night Roost by British Red, on FlickrBird Brains!
Our chickens are exactly the same. Built them a run with a raised coop... put in some branches as perches in there and ended up taking them out again as they like to sit outside whatever the weather is.
Also built in a laying box, but they refuse to use that as well
Still got some finishing bits to do on it, but I wanted to test out the run first and I don't think it is big enough... plan to extend it out to one side and make them some more scratching room... then install a grass feeder.
Also built in a laying box, but they refuse to use that as well
Still got some finishing bits to do on it, but I wanted to test out the run first and I don't think it is big enough... plan to extend it out to one side and make them some more scratching room... then install a grass feeder.
Excellent, informative thread. I've lost several small flocks now to urban fox. I think electrifying my chicken run is the only way forward.
Developments in chicken keeping.
We have added a second coop, electric fence, shelter etc.
New coop and run by British Red, on Flickr
To this we have added seven young (unsexed) Buff Orpingtons
Buff Orpington Poults by British Red, on Flickr
They are six to twelve weeks old. We will raise them up until the hens are distinguishable. These we will keep. Any cockerels will be raised to maturity and then put in the pot.
When we have killed all the cockerels and the pullets are all laying we will add in a new cockerel from a different source and this should become our meat source.
We have chosen Orpingtons because
1) They go broody easily and make good mothers
2) They lay 200 eggs a year and do not go off lay in Winter
3) They make a good table bird with bird sizes of 8-10 pounds commonplace.
4) They are a large bird that does not jump much or even perch high so are easily contained.
Clearly there is a bit of a gamble here. But the poults cost us roughly what two hens would cost at 18 weeks. So if we only get two hens, we get five free range chickens for free
Anyway - here they are again
Buff Orpingtons by British Red, on Flickr
Cute huh?
They will be let out into the big enclosure after 48 hrs of settling in!
We have added a second coop, electric fence, shelter etc.
New coop and run by British Red, on FlickrTo this we have added seven young (unsexed) Buff Orpingtons
Buff Orpington Poults by British Red, on FlickrThey are six to twelve weeks old. We will raise them up until the hens are distinguishable. These we will keep. Any cockerels will be raised to maturity and then put in the pot.
When we have killed all the cockerels and the pullets are all laying we will add in a new cockerel from a different source and this should become our meat source.
We have chosen Orpingtons because
1) They go broody easily and make good mothers
2) They lay 200 eggs a year and do not go off lay in Winter
3) They make a good table bird with bird sizes of 8-10 pounds commonplace.
4) They are a large bird that does not jump much or even perch high so are easily contained.
Clearly there is a bit of a gamble here. But the poults cost us roughly what two hens would cost at 18 weeks. So if we only get two hens, we get five free range chickens for free
Anyway - here they are again
Buff Orpingtons by British Red, on FlickrCute huh?
They will be let out into the big enclosure after 48 hrs of settling in!
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