Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: anitaws on February 19, 2009, 19:51
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Hi All :)
does having an oversized chicken house to the number of birds you intend to start with cause any problems. Say 3 to 5 Orpingtons in a 12 bird house?
I would love to know your thoughts about this.
No hens as yet but Orpingtons soon to arrive!
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No probs that I'm aware of. They'll huddle up on the perch and squeeze into the same next box.
Enjoy them once they arrive. :)
Rob 8)
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Hello and welcome btw. :D
How rude of me :ohmy: :blush:
Rob 8)
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Hi anitaws
Welcome to the Hen House :D
When I first started out I only had 2 in a 4x6 shed and they were fine, so I can't see you'll have any problems :)
My two got a bit miffed when the flock increased and they had to share their space :lol:
Sarah :)
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Hi Anita, and welcome to the madhouse, sorry I mean hen house!!!! :D :D The only possible problem I would see is if it was deepest winter, and the house didn't have enough little bodies in it to keep the warmth in. But spring is coming, and you are being sensible in having room for the extra chickens you'll have to get once you discover how lovely they are!!!! :) :)
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The main problem is that it'll make you want more chickens to fill it!
If you're worried, though, you could always put upa secondary wall in the middle - it wouldn't have to be too strong, just a piece of plywood with batons top and bottom would suffice. Push it into the middle and hey-presto! instant stud wall partitioning!
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Thanks every so for your replies. The stud wall thing might be a good idea.
My maximum run size is the restriction on more birds. At 5 foot by 8 do you think there is sufficent room for 5 large Orpingtons or should I stick with 3?
An after thought. As I'm still at the planning stage what do you think about Bantam Orpingtons in the same area. I've not been able to find as much information about them and wonder what size eggs they lay and if they are simular in character to the larger Orpingtons?
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Hi Anitaws,
Well orpingtons are very large and a lot of henhouses are based on medium birds. One of my breeding houses is 3X4 foot,which should be OK technically for 12 birds as a standard requirement of space per bird is 1sq foot. Saying that though I only have six large faverolles in that shed and thats about the right size for them.
Bantam buff orpingtons are lovely birds, very sweet natures and easy to look after, The eggs are a smallish medium.
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The run size 5ft x 8ft is 3.79 metres square.
The minimum run size for one bird is 1metre square, so your area is fine for 3 birds.
But, if you're effectively making the sleeping area smaller, then the run area is bigger (they can wander in and out during the day for shelter etc), so you might be okay with 4 in that space.
Especially if you are able to give them an extra layer to play on (say a table in the run with a ramp to walk up to it) - it does depend how high your run's roof is!
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I would just put a caveat on that and say that teh 1 metre sq is a minimum and, unless they will have access to some extra area, they will soon find the space cramped.
I would stick to 3 personally with the climbing bits too. :)
Rob 8)
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yeah, i think you're right.
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It all depends really on some other considerations. Are the birds going to be allowed to free range for part of the day? If so the area required in a coop and run can be considerably reduced. If you get bantams egg size will be considerably reduced, but on the bright side you can keep more in the same area. Feed bills will be less too.
Details of Orpingtons are:-
Large Fowl
ORIGIN England
SIZE EGG 53 gr
EGGS/YEAR 110
EGGCOLOURS yellow
SIZE MALE 4000 gr SIZE FEMALE 3500 gr
RING MALE/FEMALE 22 mm /20 mm
FLYING 0,5 m
COMB single
BEARD no
CRESTED no
FEATHERED LEGS no
TOES 4
CHARACTERISTICS many feathers
COLOURS black, laced blue, buff, white, porcelaine, white spangled black, barred, red, buff laced black, partridge
TEMPERAMENT tame
BREEDING yes
PRODUCTION fancy
Orpington bantam
ORIGIN Germany
SIZE EGG 40 gr
EGGS/YEAR 170
EGGCOLOURS yellow
SIZE MALE 1250 gr
SIZE FEMALE 1000 gr
RING MALE/FEMALE 15 mm /13 mm
FLYING 0,5 m
COMB single
BEARD no
CRESTED no
FEATHERED LEGS no
TOES 4
COLOURS black, laced blue, buff, white, porcelaine, barred, red, buff black laced, birchen
TEMPERAMENT tame
CHARACTERISTICS Lots of feathers
BREEDING yes
PRODUCTION fancy
HTH
Allan
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I've just bought my chicken house, but it looks a bit on the small side to me, and it is supposed to house 4 chickens. The one thing that I'm confused about is the fact that it only has two laying compartments, do the birds take it in turns or do they squeeze in together? I'm collecting the birds tomorrow(Sat 21st) so any info would be appreciated, thanks.
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Hi steevie.
How big is your house (internal space) ?
The nest boxes are usually reckoned about 1 per 3 birds but the chickens themselves try for about 10 per box ::)
Rob 8)
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Actually, I was reading through some DEFRA stuff last night, looking for feather pecking info, and on one document, it stated 1 nest box to 7 birds is fine! Not all at once hopefully!
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i have 3 hens at the mow in a chicken house that could easly house 10 or more and they seem fine they just cuddle together as they go to sleep. its lovely to watch them. :blush: :blush:
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Its really nice to find such a friendly helpful site.
The hen house is ordered and the floor space is 8 foot by 5 foot 3 inches. 42 square foot to go around should give 3 large orpingtons 14 square foot each. The foot height is also 5 foot and i love the idea of a table with a ramp up for extra room. Thank you all its going to be 3 large Orpingtons. I really hope i can find some gold laced/buff laced black hens.
I was thinking of the winter with only a possbility of 1 hours free range a day. I know during the other nine months or so they'll get out of the run much more than that.
My next dilema is the floor. The run is roofed its entire length and sheltered on three sides. As were coming up to the better weather should I start off with a soil floor and see how its goes. Use a membrain or matting and top with wood shavings, gravel or rubber chips. Do I slab the area and use a topping. ???
Many thanks for the Orpington comparrison information but I just think my other half is expecting large eggs from large birds and I havn't broken it to him yet that there just medium so I don't think I'd be popular with even smaller ones. :happy:
Oh I'm also loosing some flower borders this year as Bob's starting vegitable growing for the first time and there talk of the lawn shrinking as well, potatoes I thought he said. So its all change at our house this year. :)
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My next dilema is the floor. The run is roofed its entire length and sheltered on three sides. As were coming up to the better weather should I start off with a soil floor and see how its goes. Use a membrain or matting and top with wood shavings, gravel or rubber chips. Do I slab the area and use a topping. ???
Slabs are a good idea, because it provides an extra protection from foxes digging under.
and! it means that when you want to replace the floor materials, it's just a case of scrape and hose!
A lot of members use wood/bark chips - make sure you get animal friendly ones, because some of the un-washed ones have mould spores (which can give them respiratory problems).
You can use anything really, on top of your slabs. They like to dig around, so get it as deep as you can, and give them a bowl of soil for dustbathing: you say you've got a roof, so you shouldn't have much problem with the flooring getting wet and soggy and dirty.
Sounds like you've got most of it covered!
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We're just about to start a walk-in run for our hens which we hope to collect in early April. The idea of the table - or maybe we could call it a mezzanine floor? - is great. It will not only make extra room but give them chance for more activity - sort of chicken gym? :D
I did wonder about putting another nesting-type box up there - or am I mad? I've heard of hens laying in buckets on their side, or lawn-mower grass-boxes etc. Do you think there's any mileage in that?
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they're a mystery unto themselves!
A lot do lay their eggs elsewhere, but it's mainly because they want to find somewhere private and dark - a nest box outside might not be cosy enough.
Ours do fine with their correct nestbox because it's dark and full to the brim of straw!
You might find you'll be making a rod for your own back if you encourage them to lay elsewhere.....
:D
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Ooooh good point! Just play stuff up there then!
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It seems good to put the slabs down before we errect the house and run. :)
Should I put them say 6inches or so oversized all the way round? If I do this does this mean that I don't need to bury and wire? I live in quite a built up area and I don't think we have local foxes but I do realise that we probably do have but I just havn't seen them yet.
This weekends job is relocating the wild bird feeders out of the back garden where the chickens will live, were put them onto the side garden near Bobs veg area which will mostly be a no go to the chickens.
Next weekend we need to level the area where the house and run are going and lay the slabs.
I have until the 27 of March after this to get together all the feeders, drinkers and bedding that I need. I just have to look for the chickens after that. ???
Anita
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I'd probably attach the edge of the run to the slabs to stop it pulling it up - maybe if you attched the wire to some wood and drilled/screwed it into the slabs, that should do the trick. and don't forget to put the wire on the outside of the frame (so the fox can't push against it and breach it that way..)
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oh, and don't forget to post pictures at every stage - this lot get very upset if they don't get piccies!!
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(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll127/anitaws/gardenbeforechickens.jpg)
If I've done it right, this is the 10 foot wide gap that our 8 foot wide chicken run is going into. Hopefully it will be quite an improvement to the neighbours fence panels!
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oooh! exciting!
I can picture it already!
:D
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Firstly, Well done on the chucks!! :D
The only problem I could possibly think of is the house. Sometimes they say it's for more chickens than you'd actually be happy with in there!! (I know mine is!) so I'd say, stick with the min numbers until they're all in there and then make the decision on if you want more.
I have a similar size area to the garden as you seem to have, this is what I have just done -
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=31219.0 (http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=31219.0)
I had a run attached to the house originally but allowed them to free range (They were wrecking everything in sight so we changed to this!).
I built a walk in run/fenced off area. Put the house on stilts (allowing the birds more room to wander in as they explore under the house). I put a branch up for them to walk up/dowm/roost on. They have a dust bath in the corner and I've gone with bark chippings on the floor (although reading the previous posts...not sure if they're animal friendly!?)
Your gonna Luuurve having chickens!! :D :D :D
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I love your chicken run and after years of wanting I can't wait to get mine. :nowink:
Because I want large hens I know that there no way I'll fit more than 3 in our run althougth I'm currently looking into a slightly smaller breed than Orpington.
I guess I'm allowed to change my mind as many times as I want until I actually get the hens. I'm currently looking at Barnevelder's as I like the lacing on Orpingtons so much and these ones seem much more common.
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I guess I'm allowed to change my mind as many times as I want until I actually get the hens. I'm currently looking at Barnevelder's as I like the lacing on Orpingtons so much and these ones seem much more common.
I'm glad changing minds is allowed! Hoping to get mine in early April - and I've already had 3 different types, 4 sets of names - heaven only knows how many run designs!
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We've gone for a mixed flock and seeing as there's only 2 of us in the house less than 6 eggs a week would suit us. So, we have a white silkie (not for the eggs!) Lavender Pekin, Buff Orpington (gorgeous bird!) and a Blue Cochin - none of which have laid yet (sore point with the missus!). We are considering swapping thwe cochin and the pekin for a couple of hybrids but we've yet to decide (we've got attached to our chucks!)
Whatever you decide - GOOD LUCK!! and remember pictures are the law on this forum ;)
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So its not just me that's having trouble choosing one breed. I think Bob would prefer one type so mix and match is out. I'm hoping to get mine early April, so I'm going to have a phone round and see whats available. Availability, I'm sure, will have a big effect on eventual choice. I'll just be pleased to have hens at last after wanting them for so long.
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You might like Wyandottes, lovely nature and beautiful colours, blue laced and buff laced are my favourites. Wyandottes lay very well too.
heres a link to some examples:
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Wyand/BRKWyand.html
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I never new that one type of hen came in so many different colours types. Wyandottes sure have some pretty combinations that I like.
I just seem to have to many types of hen to choose from :blink:. Only 5 weeks to hen accommodation arrival, still time to change/make my mind up.
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My four sleep in the nesting box, lay in the main body of the hen house and form a disorderly queue accompanied by a lot of very loud rosey and pacing when they want to lay :). Still it's a free country!
melc
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My four sleep in the nesting box, lay in the main body of the hen house and form a disorderly queue accompanied by a lot of very loud rosey and pacing when they want to lay :). Still it's a free country!
melc
My god!
For a moment there, I thought I'd posted something in a different name!
Sleep-typing again....
My erschkins are exactly the same (that's not a fancy breed, it's the name adam gives to the chickens)!
::) ::)
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Bob's been busy this weekend, progress so far on transforming the garden.
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll127/anitaws/garden1309.jpg)
I'd like to say I helped but I think I only hampered. Were both can't wait to get our own hens, Barnies x 3. Well be looking for paving slabs this week as were moving the path and paving at the end of the garden for the run and a sitting area and mud free access to the wood shed.
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looking good so far!
(i tend to find the best way to help is to keep bringing out cups of tea and offering to fetch things! :tongue2: )
barnies are gorgeous! That was what i wanted (but the local farm didn't have those)
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You might like Wyandottes, lovely nature and beautiful colours, blue laced and buff laced are my favourites. Wyandottes lay very well too.
heres a link to some examples:
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Wyand/BRKWyand.html
All chickens are good for certain things. Wyandottes are champion broodies. Wyandotte bantams were the bird of choice for old time gamekeepers to hatch and brood pheasant chicks. If you want broodies get Wyandottes.
Allan
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Wyandottes are lovely looking birds but I don't have room to expand any beyond my initial 3, least ways until we move house sometime, and don't really want broody hens. Would love them if I could hatch some eggs but really can't up numbers.
I've choosen Barnies on looks, but not firstly, large soft feathered, not good fliers, general character and calm placid temperaments and large birds.
Anita
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The lastest on the garden transformation.
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll127/anitaws/IMG_1471.jpg)
We do seem to be overrun with creeping periwinkle up both sides, I've pulled loads out but is this a problem to hens?
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Latest picture, coming along nicely now, grass seed to do next weekend and then the house arrives. Only have to find my Barnevelders then. I said to Bob today make sure I don't buy any other type, I've waited so long it will be difficult to resist any hens once its all together.
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll127/anitaws/IMG_1476.jpg)
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looking good!
I'm very jealous of your nice neat path up to the run!
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I'd like to attach wheels or castors to a chicken coop I assembled, if it's helpful to see it, here's a link http://www.thepetpads.co.uk/index.php?page=shop&action=viewproduct&pid=8201 - I wouldn't recommend it, by the way. Which wheels or castors would be good for this - they will need to roll over paving. Thanks for any suggestions.
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That might be a bit awkward to move. We use the wheels (pneumatic) from the sack trucks you can can buy cheap at £19.99 from B&Q. We popped them on the end of a metal rod and stuck them under our sheds.
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Why thank you, a nice neat path between the clothes lines has always had great attraction to me. I did get fed up of wading through mud just to hang the washing out. What a lovely coincidence it is also going towards the run.
Unfortunately at this house we wount be able to move the run around. Its going to be fixed onto the lovely new paving at the end, taking up most of the space. When we move I'm longing for a larger garden. I've got more than you can see here but somes to the front and a bit stuck on the side, it would be lovely to have it alltogether with enough grass in one place for a run to be moved round on.
I was sat on the chicken bench yesterday having a cup of tea and a bacon butty and from the corner of my eye I spotted a little mouse trying to cross along the bottom of the garden toward the garage. Now sidney, my recently deceased cat was a great mouser so I am under no illusion that we've got them, but the cheak of it while I'm sat there, in broad day light.
Since I've been telling Bob the things people on here say that their hens eat Bob said he might not eat eggs again. I had mentioned that mice where a possiblity if they cornered one and Bob said just don't tell him if I see them eat one!!!
Not long now only two weeks to chucks at our house.
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heehee!
you run shouldn't be a problem to keep clean if it's on slabs, anyway - put woodchips or whatever down then when it gets smelly, you can throw it all out into the borders (good mulch) and hose down the slabs and start again.
(don't do it too often, though, it'd cost a fortune! - you can usually get away with turning the chips over)
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Have you considered slanting it slightly?
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Slanting may not be necessary, you cant really see in this picture but when I look up the garden from the house I've noticed that its more dome shaped in the middle, sort of slanted all the way round on every edge ???
Darn't point it out to Bob, it took us all day last Satruday to put it down, I really don't think he'd want to take it up and start again. Good thought though.
Anita
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The house is up, finished off in the rain yesterday. Only the final fittings to do, woodshavings etc and were off to collect the hens later today. Just thought you might like one final picture of the finished result. Oh, and I'm so excited :nowink:
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll127/anitaws/IMG_1508.jpg)
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Thats a lovely house! Good luck with buying your hens, dont forget piccies are the LAW!! :D :D
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it's beautiful!
you've done a great job there (or OH did...)
I'm just about to read your other post with the new chickens in it!
:D
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Thank you, mostly I resigned myself to propper upper and fetcher, it was definately OH work.
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it's safer that way.
::)
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it's safer that way.
::)
you're not wrong! Hubby builds most of our houses or adapts sheds, his favourite mantra is "please dont help!" :lol: :lol:
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My next dilema is the floor. The run is roofed its entire length and sheltered on three sides. As were coming up to the better weather should I start off with a soil floor and see how its goes. Use a membrain or matting and top with wood shavings, gravel or rubber chips. Do I slab the area and use a topping. ???
Slabs are a good idea, because it provides an extra protection from foxes digging under.
and! it means that when you want to replace the floor materials, it's just a case of scrape and hose!
A lot of members use wood/bark chips - make sure you get animal friendly ones, because some of the un-washed ones have mould spores (which can give them respiratory problems).
You can use anything really, on top of your slabs. They like to dig around, so get it as deep as you can, and give them a bowl of soil for dustbathing: you say you've got a roof, so you shouldn't have much problem with the flooring getting wet and soggy and dirty.
Sounds like you've got most of it covered!
There's always pros and cons with everything. The problem with slabs is they provide an excellent opportunity for rats to dig under and nest.
Allan
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Allan thanks, but if you saw the size of the log store nearby I don't think they'd go to all the trouble of burying under the slabs for nesting.
We get throught each log store yearly but they do stand for seasoning.
We're being very careful not to unnecessarily attract any vermin and are removing the food and water feeders every night, sweeping daily and keeping it all tidy.
Sidney, our deceased cat, definately showed us that we have a healthy population of mice but I suppose that rats woun't be far away either. I will bait when I have to.
Anita