Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Hayleynotts on August 03, 2014, 19:55

Title: Keeping poultry on an allotment?
Post by: Hayleynotts on August 03, 2014, 19:55
When we took our allotment on about a month ago the chairman said we could keep up to 12 fowl as long as we didn't have any cockerels. We've now cleared and planted half the plot so today I tried to clear where the previous tenant kept chickens.

I have 3 polish chickens at home which provide enough eggs for me and the other half but the family are always after a box or 2 so I'm wondering if to get aome kind of poultry to keep me company on the plot.

As I have chickens at home I'm tempted to get some ducks but I noticed the plot next door has ducks and chickens together?

Here's the space I have although there's loads more space on the right if I need it I just need to pull down the pallet and chicken wire fence. I'm not really sure how to build the accommodation , there's already a shed with a hole cut out but I assume I need to fully enclose it to keep foxes out
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm168/s25ale/BD02085C-A1CD-40F1-96E9-E19A8ED2DAF0-8103-00001037D035655C_zpscd1fcc4e.jpg)
Title: Re: Keeping poultry on an allotment?
Post by: Sassy on August 04, 2014, 17:07
It is not ideal to keep ducks and chooks together unless they have separate housing. Ducks do not perch and will sleep under chooks and get pooped on!

Foxes especially partial to ducks so secure fencing a must, also ensure the fox cannot get over any fencing. Nb chicken wire will keep poultry in but not the fox out, they can chew through it.  :ohmy:
Title: Re: Keeping poultry on an allotment?
Post by: Hayleynotts on August 04, 2014, 21:11
Thanks the your input sassy, valid point regarding the poop!
Title: Re: Keeping poultry on an allotment?
Post by: grinling on August 05, 2014, 18:27
Have a very good look at the perimeter for any holes for rat/fox.
Title: Re: Keeping poultry on an allotment?
Post by: Sassy on August 07, 2014, 10:17
Ensure that roosting bar is not round and is sited above the nest box :)
Title: Re: Keeping poultry on an allotment?
Post by: grinling on August 07, 2014, 22:52
remember how long it takes to get to the allotment and what paths are like.
Nice dry days are great but twice or even thrice a day in winter in snow/ice/mud is not as fun. Is it possible to drive up to the plot to drop off feed on a solid road as grass in winter if driven on will cause ruts and annoy other users.
Even though the allotment manager says you can keep any fowl, if someone complains you will have to remove any of them which is not a chicken.
Might be useful to see the allotment through the winter first.
Title: Re: Keeping poultry on an allotment?
Post by: jamesbarbara on August 14, 2014, 11:36
Its looking amazing  :nowink: