[jonandjen16]

mum and dad have said i can put some chooks on the bottom of there garden an area about 5m x 5m. but cant decide if i should put layers or eaters on there. i already have 4 layers on my garden.

couple of questions.

1. how many layers could you put in there? or
2. how many eaters could you put in there?
3. would an aracana x black rock make good eating?

thanks
jon

[PekinHeaven]

You'd be best having a utility breed like Light Sussex, not as good layers as a hybrid but pretty good, and good meat birds too. Make sure they're a utility line though as there are some pretty 'light' ones being bred and sold, these would be no good for eating as they don't get as big.

In an area that size you could keep about about 12 hens max but you'd probably have to supplement their diet with greens once a day as they'd soon trash the grass.

A 6x4 shed would house a dozen birds, just put a pophole in the door about 10 - 12" square.

Make sure the house and run is secure and as fox proof as you can make it, dig in the netting a good 1ft into the ground to stop foxes digging under it and getting at the chooks.