Chickens and allotments-advice needed please

We are allowed up to 6 hens (no cockerels) on our allotment site.  I am hoping to keep 4 hybrids (not sure whether to go for the Warren etc. type, or the Black Rock etc. type of hybrid.  We did consider pure breeds but are worried that they may get stolen.  We have bought a coop/run off of ebay (8ft long in total) for a very reasonable price, suitable for 6 to 9 hens, but I think it is only suitable for 4 hens.  I would like to treat the coop/run with wood preservative in the hope of making it last longer, what type of preservative is safe for chickens?

Originally we had no water on site but now a standpipe has been installed at the entrance to the site (quite a distance from our plot), how do people with chickens on allotments cope with cleaning the house, run, drinkers and feeders when a hose pipe is not an option.

Wendy

I agree with Joy, these Ebay sellers are VERY generous with their Estimates of how many birds these coups can house.. IF your Birds Also Free range every day then those coups would be ok, But if its a permanent one where they never get to come out and play (free range) then they are Most definitely to small. I have a coup of similar size and i only use it for a Hospital coup / broody or for Chicks. the only way i could see getting 6 Hens in there would be if they were sablepoots or Serama bantams.

If you could build a run around your Exsisting Coup/run you would have very thankful chickens

Hi,
if the water is some distance from your plot you could use a big water container for the water you need for cleaning and for fresh drinking water every day a big milk container or similar