[harpagula]

Over the past few weeks (on and off) I have been building a HUUUGE ‘Fort Knox’ of a chicken run (lots of losses locally due to foxes + we have dogs) and am about to embark upon the coup that is roughly planned-out in my mind. Have read MASSES over the years, and even more recently as we’ve put plans into action but, have a number of questions that I’ve not found consistent/adequate answers to! I would much appreciate any advice on the following…

1)  Will probably go for hybrids/large-fowl – what are the ideal (internal) dimensions for the nest boxes and the entrances to them? They could be quite large (50cm X 50cm X 50cm) but I understand that ‘snugness’/’cosiness’ makes them more attractive as laying sites – so, “What’s the optimum?”

2)  Ideal dimensions for ‘pop-hole’/entrance?

3)  Dogs… We have 3 Cocker Spaniels and hope to get them accustomed to the chickens. Anyone had success with this? A friend who has one Cocker (a sister/daughter to 2 of ours) said that the chickens dominate her (i.e. ‘beat-up’ the dog when let out!) so maybe there is hope. They wouldn’t be routinely let-out (their run is HUGE) -- probably only 2 or 3 days a week and, under supervision. Can/do dogs and chickens mix??? The fall-back plan is that a large chunk of the garden could be fenced-off for them on the days that they are let-out but would prefer them to pick-over the whole garden. Any advice with this scenario???

4)  Hazards… Have dropped lots of galvanized ‘hammer-in’ staples during the course of building the run and I obviously pick them up when I see them but do I NEED to be really assiduous and hunt them all out? I.e. are they likely to be eaten and cause damage??? The other potential problem is that the turf was evidently laid with that blooming annoying plastic mesh that strengthens the turfs, and it pokes-out in places – is this a potential hazard that NEEDS to be removed???

5)  I want to feed them flax/linseed for a better Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio… I read, maybe a year or so ago, that flax/linseed shouldn’t make up more than a certain % of the diet, otherwise it causes ‘digestive upset’ but for the life of me I can’t find that info anymore. Does anyone know about this??? Also does anyone know a cheap source of flax/linseed??? Have found a ‘cheapish’ place (c. £14 per 10Kg) but that is for ‘human consumption’ and I’m sure I saw it much cheaper elsewhere as an ‘animal feed’ but once again I can’t find it again, despite extensive googling! Does anyone know a cheaper source???

6)  Last question!!! What age chickens should we get??? My youngest son (8yo) wants them as young/small as possible but, we’d like them as hardy and trouble-free as possible! They will need to go straight out into the garden run/coup rather than need ‘brooding’ inside. So, “What age does that equate to?” We don’t want any disasters (i.e. avoidable deaths) but would like them to ‘grow up’ with him as much as possible. So, what age chickens do we go for?

Would really appreciate answers to any questions that YOU may be able to answer/advise upon (you don’t have to answer all – just those that you can!!!). This forum has been a wonderful source of info so far – hope it is as equally amazing on a personal level!

Thanks in advance!

Nick

[nicky d]

hello and welcome to the forum,  as far as advice goes for the age of your new hens, all depends on how quickly you want eggs lol,  if your keen to have delicious eggs then i would go for pullets that are nearing the time to lay, im thinking anything from 17-18wks upwards.   Theres a huge selection of breeds out there, and theres alot of dodgy dealers so i would really do your homework, avoid autions for a first time buyer, try and source some breeders out and then go and visit their setups to see how they rear their birds.     Once you have got your girlies, when you get them home, pop them in the coop and shut them up in there, so if you get them in the afternoon say, put them in and leave them in there coop until the morning, that way it inprints on them that this is there new home.    Chooks dont need to have food and water inside their sleeping quarters, they dont eat or drink during the night so you can pop this away, it avoids any unwanted guests so to speak.   Im not sure about this flax/linseed, they do need good quality layers pellets.    Good luck with your new girls you will have to post some piccys on the forum.  nickyx

[Bogof]

With regard to the dogs and chickens I've got two rottwielers and over the last 2 - 3 months we have introduced them. First out side the run then in the garden on leads then in the garden loose they have gotten on realy well from the start. I do think it realy depends on the dog though, both of my dogs will chase and kill rabbits if I let them