Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: pmw on January 20, 2008, 15:42

Title: Hen housing
Post by: pmw on January 20, 2008, 15:42

Hi to all,
My daughter & son-in-law are moving to a farm house in open country side and wish to keep hens for eggs. Rather than use a purpose built hen house can we utilise one of several old stables as seen in picture? Beyond and left of block is open grassland.If so how should it be fitted out?
Many thanks in anticipation.
(http://uk.geocities.com/philip_woods@btinternet.com/stables.jpg)

Title: Hen housing
Post by: babe on January 20, 2008, 16:01

hi and welcome, make sure you pop into the welcome forum and say hi. we're a snouty bunch and like to know who you are  :wink:

you'll need perches and nest boxes and lots of fox proofing.

Title: Hen housing
Post by: GrannieAnnie on January 20, 2008, 16:08

And how will the chooks get onto the grass from there???

Title: Hen housing
Post by: pmw on January 20, 2008, 16:13

Door on end of block directly on to grass. All doors and windows are tight fitting. No holes in stable block to invite foxes. There are foxes on the 30 acres. Can the hens roam free by day or is fencing essential?

Title: Hen housing
Post by: babe on January 20, 2008, 16:14

heres an idea  :wink:

(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/walkway.jpg)

Title: Hen housing
Post by: babe on January 20, 2008, 16:15

if hungry enough and they know theres a plentiful supply of kentucky, they will attck during daylight

Title: Hen housing
Post by: pmw on January 20, 2008, 16:19

Thats a great idea babe but too big for 12 hens and I think they'd be 'Kentucky' on a sunny day!!

Title: Hen housing
Post by: Foxy on January 20, 2008, 18:55

Probaby put a pop-hole in the door that opens onto grassland. Personally then would put up a perimeter of poultry netting and electrify with an energiser and leisure battery(wouldn't take the foxes to work out there's a free lunch!  :shock: ) -or use mains if you have power in the stables.
Good luck you cant beat you're own wonderful eggs!! :lol:

Title: Hen housing
Post by: pmw on January 20, 2008, 18:58

Thank you Foxy.