New to Chickens - Space issues!

[daveyp]

Hi,

We are determined to start keeping 3 chickens in our back garden, but are confused by the amount of space they need. (3 hybrid layers).

They will be kept in the pen all day most days mid week - but will be allowed out evenings and most of the day on weekends and when we are at home.

We have been looking at both arks and combined houses and runs.

Can you help with this please?

We are considering a raised house (16 inch raised of ground with space underneath for chickens) and run with a total floor space of 22.5 sq ft - 17.5 in the run and 5 in the house itself. House dimensions are 30" X 24" X 24" with 2 perches.

Maker says it is big enough for upto 4 birds.

In your experience, my fellow poultry keepers, is this going to be big enough for happy "chucks"? Or is it back to the drawing board and more delays?

Any advise / suppliers details, would be much appreciatted.

Thanks,

Daveyp

 

[Deleted Account]

Hi Davy
good for you asking. It does sound a bit tight for 3 full size hybrids; if you move it around daily, so they get fresh ground, that might keep them amused (they will need layers pellets and grit too); also toys, if they get bored they may start pecking each other.
If in doubt, go for bigger - bigger is better !

 

[Tim]

Hi Davy,

How much space is acceptable? Well, if you are a supplier of houses / runs, you can say what you like because if it is legal (I'm thinking battery hen now...) then it's balancing cost against the number of hens you say will fit into a given space to be competitive.

IMHO the bigger the better really.... but..... if you keep them in and they can be let out in the afternoons or when you're around then they will be much happier. I used to let my girls out for an hour or two before bed when they were confined and it was obvious how much they loved it.

I would go fot the biggest run you can afford or fit in - but try to give your girls some free range if you can because they will love this and certainly thrive having some freedom.

Tim

 

[daveyp]

Thanks for your advice guys - decided to find a different supplier of housing & increasing the size of the house & run to 32sq ft, staying with 3 chucks. Will make sure it's moved regularly and that the girls get some excerise time in the garden on a daily basis.

You mention toys - what do they like to play with?

We really want everything in and ready for them when they arrive - have I missed anything from this list? Any further comments / advice is welcome!

Bedding - was going with woodshavings.
Food - layers mash / pellets (which is really best?)
Grit
"Treats" - corn? (Do we need this with layers feed?)
Drinker & Feeder
Red mite powder (as a preventative measure? Or do I wait to see if I get them?)
Poultryshield (do I need this for general cleaning purposes anyway?)
What about drink additives / wormers etc?

One thing I have learned so far, is that the more books you read and the more research you do, the longer the list grows of things that may be needed!

If someone out there could come with a definitive "standard" level of kit that we are likely to need that would be much appreciated!

Thanks to you all,

Davey

 

[snifter]

This is what I wrote on my poultry blog and pretty much what I keep in stock. Of course I keep more chickens than you will be, but I'd go for pretty much the same stuff

Things you should/could keep in stock for regular care and emergencies

These are all the things I keep in stock to help maintain my chicken flock and for emergency treatment on occasion. Some emergency items I’ve never needed to use, but keep to hand just in case.

Day to day care
Poultry feed – layers pellets or mash for grown laying hens
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) – to add to drinking water to prevent worms. Unrefined from horse feed merchants
Respite – A tonic made from natural ingredients added to drinking water
Poultry Spice – A powder you sprinkle on and mix in to chicken feed for general wellbeing.
Lice/mite powder or mite spray – For chickens and housing. Various ones are available. Research as to what will be best for you and your chooks.
Syringe or measuring pot – for measuring out quantities
Grit – chickens needs grit to break down their food. Ensure grit is avaiable at all times, especially if not free ranging.
Oyster shell (crushed) – part of the diet as helps prevent soft egg shells. Again, keep on hand at all times.

Most of the above can be purchased from your local feed merchant (not pet shop). Respite is available to purchase online.

Emergency/occasional use items
Flubenvet, Verm X or other good worming product
Red mite powder – For treatment and as a repellant.
Coxoid (emergency only) – If you have an outbreak of coccidiosis in your flock, you will need to treat quickly, so always good to have a bottle in stock.
Dog clippers or metal file (only if you plan to keep a grown cock bird and therefore will need to trim his spurs on occasion)
Hibiscrub – I use this as an antibacterial wash on wounds. If in doubt check with your vet before using (available from chemists)
Surgical spirt and vaseline – for treatment of scaley leg
Wound powder – for treatment of minor wounds

****

I don't use layers mash. Only feed pellets. I'd not go mad and buy too much corn as hens will eat that over pellets any day. Only give corn at the end of the day and in small quantities. I give my chooks the odd treat of cherry toms, pasta or rice if a bit underweight, also cooked boiled potatoes. Raw broccoli is good when a big bunch is tied by the stalk and left dangling in the run. Also things like CD's tied up on string for them to amuse themselves with.

Don't forget in winter if you are home after it gets dark your hens will have gone in to roost so therefore won't be around to free range. So consider they are possibly going to not get much free ranging time in the winter and adjust their feed and move their run accordingly.

I also give my chooks warm ready brek (store own brand one is fine) on cold winter mornings. They love it and it really perks them up on chilly days.

Access to a dust bath is also important. I let my chooks free range most of the day and they go dust bath in the flower beds and under the hedge in the dry soil.

 

[daveyp]

Snifter,

Thank you - much appreciatted! (As has been all the advice recieved).

House is coming weekend /early next week and girls have been ordered for the following weekend. Your list will be going with me to the local suppliers!

It all begins now..........

I will no doubt need your assistance in the future, no doubt with some daft and basic questions! Hope none of you experienced chuck keepers mind continuing to help a newbie.

Will update as to how our girls get on.

Thanks again,

Daveyp

 

[snifter]

Sounds good.

Should add the ready brek I mix with hot water, not milk obviously and add a little cold water to make sure its not too hot for the chooks to eat. I tend to put it in a dish at least an inch deep. Its a bunfight :lol:

Also Respite, its not essential but I've found it good to use. Its not cheap either. Can only be bought online. It smells nasty but its been a great tonic for my chooks when a bit snotty in winter.

 

[Tim]

Agree with Snifter on the list - that's really useful.

I also find garlic useful. - Over the long term, I find this to really help boost the immune system and keep the girls healthy. Some say in large quantities it can give you garlic tasting eggs but I have never experienced this...

I crush a couple of fresh cloves into their water over the winter months but you can buy granules in big bags that are easier to use.

I also keep an aloe vera plant that I use on sore /red skin - the leaves can be snapped off and the pure aloe vera juice squeezed out fresh. You can buy 99% aloe vera in a tube from Boots or somewhere similar.

I keep one bag of mash to mix in with the boiled left-overs but it lasts me ages. Pellets are always fed ad-lib.

Tim