[Mega]

Hi

I am hoping to get a couple of hens for our back garden. Not sure whether to gat a couple of hybrids like a speckledy or whether to go with a breed like plymouth rock or pekin or welsummers ?  They would be in a designated area of around 8ft L x 5 ft W and at least 5 - 6 ft H. We are looking at building our own coop on legs as ones I have seen look so awkward for the cleanliness that is required. We are also using galvanised wire meash rather than 'chicken wire'. The run has  wall footings on 3 sides and pavers down the other.
Now for the interior - can we use mewspaper on the floor & remove every day ? Also do the nest boxes need to be external from the coop or can they be within the coop ?

Any advice big or small gratefully would be fantastic

Thanks

Sam

[Beano]

Hello Mega.
I dont think it makes any difference whether the nest box is external or not.
I think that putting the coop on legs is a good idea. We have ours on a frame that my husband made out of angle iron (he's clever like that) so that it's easy for ME (see I told you he was clever) to clean. It also means that the chickens have a sheltered space under the coop, that's where we put their food. We have a square of lino on the floor of the coop with wood shavings on the top. It makes cleaning even easier. I cant see any reason not to use newspaper though.
Happy hen-keeping.

[grinling]

If neighbours both side go for a quiet breed.
Build a door wide enough to get the coop in and out, mine comes out for deep cleaning.

[Mega]

Thank you    Yes do have neighbours both sides - never thought the hens were noisy   I shall carry on my research thanks again - all this knowledge helps from those that already do 

[hen-night]

Just do your homework before you buy, learn as much as possible and you will be fine.
Look at the choice of hens available and see which would suit you best.
If its just eggs you want some breeds lay more than others,just do your homework. Dont forget introducing new hens to your existing flock is'nt easy, so think about how many you want. As for the coop, good ventilation and big enough for your flock is very important and also easy to clean...

[gracie]

My Coop has a removable tray that pulls out from a slatted removable floor that the girls walk on. I line the tray with newspaper then pet sawdust. As the poo falls through the slats I poo pick one weekend then change newspaper completely once a fortnight.
The end of the run where the coop sits has 3 solid sides, this enables the soil to stay dry all winter so not only are the girls well sheltered they can have lovely dust baths all year.
My  buff orpingtons are very noisy so I periodically give my neighbour a few eggs with a note from the noisy girls next door. Thankfully he likes the noise and says they make him smile

[Mega]

Thanks 
Got a pad full of chichen 'stuff' and a book or two  !!  have got most answers I think I was after  :blink:
Oh yes  as we looking at building our own do the perches have to be a certain thickness for certain breeds - and is wood dowling a suitable material to use ? :blink:

[kegs]

Dowling is not recommended but a piece of wood with the edge rounded would be better.  These threads will give you some pointers.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=32947.0

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=82594.0

[Mega]

Thank you Kegs - great links 

[kegs]

You're welcome.   

[Sassy]

The perches should be higher than the nest boxes