[GaryH]

Firstly merry Christmas and a happy new year.

I have agreed with my daughters that we would get 3 hens/chickensin february to assist in this bleak climate with eggs andto have a bit of fun.

I am getting my girls from a very good breeder in the South West and waswondering, does anyone have any goodold fashion advise.

I have a failry large dog kennel for the coop and a pen area of about 6ft x 6ft. Then the rest of the garden to round around.

The breeder advised me to screw a broom handle in the coop for the girls to "perch".

Does this perch go high or low ?

I also will be puting a shelf in their for the girls to lay.

What food shall I give them.

Also, if me and the girls get on, I may get 2 Ducks.

If so, could they all live together.

Thanks for all your advise in advance.

[yorky]

Hi Gary,

Not sure what sort of a breeder would advise you to use a broom handle as a perch. It may be okay for parrots but not for birds with feet as big as a hen. They need a roosting bar made from 2"x2" at the very least.

I don't know anything about ducks, but I would'nt have thought that the same dog kennel would do for them and the hens.

Sorry if all the above sounds negative, but the good thing is that by asking questions before you start you can avoid some of the common mistakes.

[Foxy]

Hi Gary, agree with Yorky, a bit of 2x2 with the edges planed so they have something to grip onto. Make them removeable if you can, then you can remove and powerwash them. Height wise a foot will be OK for them, depends on your kennel, they will need to have head clearance. Plus ventilation in the kennel, not at roosting height, chooks dont like draughts but need fresh air.

With nest boxes you could just use an old kitchen cupboard with some soft chopped straw, a shelf might get a bit "messy". I always think about ease of cleaning with thinking about accomodation for my chooks or ducks.
Make sure you have good bolts on your henhouse, to ensure it is secure from the fox and vermin, this goes for the run too, lots of information in the "poultry information" section.

Feed - a good layers pellets will be fine for your new hens, if the are POL (around 18 - 24 weeks of age) plus oyster shell(available adlib I use a flowerpot!) this ensures a good supply of additonal calcium should they need it. A little(just a very small handful) mixed corn as "scratch" late in the afternoon keeps them occupied plus some greens -cabbage etc from your plot if grass gets a bit scarce.

[Flowerpower136]

I've had my 8 girls since August, and picked up loads of dos and don'ts from reading this site, and asking daft questions, and joining threads etc.  Also read every book I could lay my hands on, and visited as many chicken keepers as I could.  It's good to see other people's set up's and learn from other's mistakes.

Not sure about a dog kennel.  Would depend on size etc.  People on here have modified all sorts of structures, so it might be possible to convert it for chucks.  I used 2" x 1" timber planned with rounded edges for our perch.  Chickens have surprisingly big feet, and a broom pole wouldn't be wide enough for comfort.  So . . . don't believe everything a breeder tells you!

Perch is about 18 inches above floor level, but I've a big coop, and they still have plenty of head room.  Outside in the run they have a variety of branches for perching, and also like to 'tight rope' walk along the top of the compost bays!  Very nerve racking to watch!



Hens seem to like a bit of privacy for egg laying (a bit like us using the toilet), so within the darkest part of the coop (but with easy access for eggs) build or provide a smaller enclosure with soft bedding, eg straw (not hay), and that should be OK.  Need one nest box per 3 hens I believe.  Our 8 share 3 nest boxes.



Re pen, make sure it's as fox proof as possible. 6' x 6' a bit small for 3 hens?  Depends on how much time they will be in there.  Can you put the kennel on tall legs to give them maximum floor space in pen?  Would also give them a bit of shelter from rain, and somewhere dry to hang feeders.



During day light hours they will need constant access to layers pellets and clean water, and if possible in the afternoon a small treat, eg corn, or veg etc.  Also need access to grit (for digestion) and fine oyster shell (for calcium).

Don't need any food/water once they've roosted. And personally would recommend that food containers are removed every night to prevent rats.

Don't know anything about ducks, but lots on here do.

Best of luck.  Keep asking questions, and post pics asap.

[GaryH]

Thanks very muck Flowerpower.

Pics will come soon.