[Fifitrix]

Hi everyone,
Sorry incase you've been asked before but my guinea pigs have just snuffed it and we got given a chicken run off freecycle to keep them in.

I've been wanting to keep chickens for a long time but don't have much money.  I was wondering.... we have this brilliant rather large Guinea Pig Hutch and the chicken run which the hutch fits into.  Is there any reason why I couldn't customise the hutch to suit chickens?

I know I would need to put some boarding over the large wire opening to the hutch to keep the chickens warm at night and I'm also wondering what I'd do about something for them to perch on.  I was thinking they could use the bed chamber bit for a roosting place.

Please help me.  Any advice would be gratefully received.  I've a decent sized garden so hope the chickens would be very happy, we produce lots of scraps and my kids are just gagging to get them!

Thanks very much.

[Jellyhead]

Hi Fifitrix, sounds good to me, I am sure a similar thing was posted on here not that long ago so I am sure someone will be along to guide you to the right place. Keeping chooks is brill and rewarding and the eggies are theeee best  

[mdueal]

I dont see why not - as long as you keep the right number for the space available. I think minimum is 1 sq metre per bird. Good luck with it!

[Fifitrix]

Thank you both.  I will try and post a picture of the hutch tomorrow then you can see what I'm talking about!  Any ideas or tips will be gratefully recieved.

I was just planning to get 2 or 3 hens.  Any ideas on what I could use as perches?

Ta

Fifi

[Jellyhead]

I use tree branches, they look natural, you can hunt for one the right thickness and length and they are free

[Wildeone]

would a towel rail be any good?

[muntjac]

it needs to be about 1.1/2 / 1/4inch thick with rounded edges

[Wildeone]

it needs to be about 1.1/2 / 1/4inch thick with rounded edges

So an old chunky pine towelrail will be about perfect!!!!  .................. Baldric I have a cunning plan........................ :idea:

[Fifitrix]

Anyone got an old chunky pine towel rail?  

[Wildeone]

Asda sell them for about £4! Screw it to the bottom of the hutch! Bobs your dads brother!  

[Fifitrix]

Ah that's very helpful.  I always wondered about Bob.  

If I screw the rail in won't it make it more difficult to clean?

Also does anyone know where I can get the gauge wire mesh?

Thanks for all your help.

[GrannieAnnie]

hubby actually made our perches so they slot in and lift out for cleaning.  As to wire, what's it for?  run?  chicken wire isn't tht cheap, but look around, any chance of Ebay or Freecycle in your area?

[Fifitrix]

My hubby is very GSI (Get Someone In) not DIY.  I love him very much but he's rubbish when it comes to this kind of thing so I'll be doing all the work myself.

The mesh is to secure our garden.  We have a very large gap between fencing that all and sundry come visiting through.

[Wildeone]

Sounds like my OH!!! Bless him i have to hide how much DIY i do coz he gets all put out that i don't leave it for him.

[Jellyhead]

So glad I am not the only one with a hubby that has not a practical bone in his body. Any refurbs in my coops etc get done by me. He is the one that went to University, got a degree and all that but common sense PAH