[poohpouri]

hiam buying this and was thinking is the nesting box on the side safe enough from foxes etc or does it need a wire mesh surrounding it thanks

[Roughlee Handled]

You would have to give us more information about it. Size. gauge of wire......


How many chickens?


Visually it is not big enough for even two chickens. 

[poohpouri]

Hi am not asking if the size of the hen house is suitable,I was just querying about the nesting boxes the protude from the side wheter these would need wire mesh to protect from foxes, It is the box on the left in the picture(sorry am sure you know)it just most hen houses i have seen with runs have the nesting boxes on the side (isuppose ts is for easy acess to check for eggs) Also forot to mention hens will have free run of half the garden 40ft x 30ft

[Roughlee Handled]

OK.  You do not kneed to have mesh round the nesting box. How many hens are you planning to keep in it? How big is the run?

[GrannieAnnie]

It looks like the one they had at the garden centre that we don't talk about Ruffy.  The house itself I would say is big enough for 3 hens, and if pooh is going to let them out of the run quite a bit, they will be fine.

One thing I would say though pooh, I think the nesting box lid isn't very heavy, and foxes can lift things up, so would put a bolt or catch of somesort to help keep the blighters out.

[andreadon]

however, although you don't need mesh round the box, it is worth attaching a lock (or hasp and staple with a padlock attached) because a fox or other large animal could lift the lid.

oooh, grannie, you did it too!!

[Roughlee Handled]

You have to put wheels on your zimmer frame to beet our granny.

[GrannieAnnie]

yeah snap Andrea!!!! 

We had a query once from someone about that particular coop and run, and it was made in china, and when I looked it up on Ebay the seller said suitable for up to 30 chickens. 

Are chinese chickens really that small?   

[poohpouri]

Hi Thanks for the advice, I am keeping 2 chickens that will be out free ranging during the day,

[GrannieAnnie]

Pooh, can't you manage 3?  Ig anything happened to one of your 2, the other one would be sooo lonely on its own until you got a replacement!

[GARRY]

HI I HAVE THIS  COOP AND RUN .BEEN USEING IT NOW FOR 12 MOUNTH I HAVE 4 HENS WHO LIVE IN IT ALLSO I HAVE A RUN MADE UP AROUND IT .THAY LIKE IT VERY MUCH THE NEST BOX I  HAVE A LOCK FITTED  TO IT AT NIGHT . COMES WITH A CATCH KIT..TWO HENS SIT IN THERE TO LAY .AT A TIME , THE OTHERS  DONT MIND WAITING IF THAY HAVE TO. AND AT NIGHT I BLOCK IT OFF SO THAY CANT SLEEP IN IT ..I FIND IT FINE.....IT IS A GOOD COOP FOR THE PRICE.

[noshed]

Hi Garry
Watch that shift lock, you could deafen the chickens!

[poohpouri]

HI I HAVE THIS  COOP AND RUN .BEEN USEING IT NOW FOR 12 MOUNTH I HAVE 4 HENS WHO LIVE IN IT ALLSO I HAVE A RUN MADE UP AROUND IT .THAY LIKE IT VERY MUCH THE NEST BOX I  HAVE A LOCK FITTED  TO IT AT NIGHT . COMES WITH A CATCH KIT..TWO HENS SIT IN THERE TO LAY .AT A TIME , THE OTHERS  DONT MIND WAITING IF THAY HAVE TO. AND AT NIGHT I BLOCK IT OFF SO THAY CANT SLEEP IN IT ..I FIND IT FINE.....IT IS A GOOD COOP FOR THE PRICE.

Hi Thanks for the info I was thinking the same about putting a run around it as well got any photo's

[poohpouri]

Pooh, can't you manage 3?  Ig anything happened to one of your 2, the other one would be sooo lonely on its own until you got a replacement!

I did honestly think about three but was advised against getting a odd number as the odd one gets picked on in the plucking order! I asked what happens if therewas a even number do they take turns to pick on each other
Me and my wife thought we'd stick with 2 as it will be my wife that looks after them mostly,plus I have a 5ft marine tank that takes up a bit of time.

[GARRY]

sorry cant get photos on ,wont work for me .just make a run around the coop .my one is 10 ft high with a roof to keep it dry in side on the floor , and a gate ..good luck