[seanandlaura]

Hi Everyone, as of this evening i have become the proud owner of "plot 57".  Yes it's a little overgrown, but i've seen worse, as i'm sure you all have.

It was always my plan to have chickens (or maybe indian runner ducks), but seeing as my allotment is a fair bit larger than i can manage i now have what i consider to be a fair amount of space on my hands, but i coudl be overestimating due to shock.

My allotment measures 40m x 5m.  M plan was to turn about 1/3 to 1/2 over to a chicken run, so looking at 15m x 4m (ish).  Is this a decent size or would that be too big/small.  Also i'm planning on doing the battery hen rehousing if i go purely chickens (can you mix ducks and chicks).  If i stick with the 15m run how many would be a nice quantity to keep.  I know it sounds silly as they're used to being massively overcrowded, but i obviouslydon't want to crowd them.

Next question would be as to what size shed to build them.  I read that if possible keep it off th ground to increase shade and space for the chooks, and can i strim the ground down short and pop the chooks in and let them eat the grass/weeds.  Someone at work said you can, but i'd rather check.

Hope thats not too much for a first post, but i like to get prepared .  Working fuill time takes up most of my day, so being prepared will help me get organised

Thanks in advance for any replies

Sean

[richyrich7]

Hi Sean welcome to the forums  

Generally they say allow at least 1msq per hen so 15x4 gonna be massive, depends how many hens or eggs you want  

And yes they will love the short grass and weeds they will soon devour them.

There's some good plans around on the net or in your local library or you could convert a shed to house them depends on how many hens or ducks, they need different sleeping arrangements I believe.  

Plans to get you started.

[Chookaholic]

Hi seanandlaura.Congratulations on getting your plot
As far as I know,you can keep ducks & chickens together.I don't have experience in this though,but I'm sure someone else will post a reply soon.I'm a chicken newbie myself.I get mine in August.Your run sounds like it will be a good size,but I'll leave it for someone more experienced to advise you on numbers.
Keep us all posted on how you get on.Well done for choosing x-batts,that's very kind hearted

[Vember]

Hi  SeanandLaura

Welcome to the hen house

You can keep chickens and ducks togeather, I've just hatched some Runners an they are great BUT...


Geese are the best gardeners  (not that I have any favourites)

[Kate and her Ducks]

Welcome to the forum, hope you have a lovely time keeping poultry  and your allotment.
There is a thread that was started about keeping ducks and there is loads of info about generally about chooks and ducks so have fun looking and you can always ask

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=20427&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=keeping+ducks

Hopefully this link will get you to one of the duck threads.