Shed as home

[dominique]

Hello folks.
Haven't moved yet but finding accommodation difficult for backyard hens (only two left) and for us too!
What do people think about keeping them in a garden shed (with window)? I'd rather keep them than give them away but if I have to keep them happy I would do so. But, if a shed is okay, any ideas on sizes, litter, interests for them? Or any other ideas would be appreciated! I don't think i will be able to have much space, and have two bantams only.
Cheers,
Dominic

 

[elmwood]

Would that mean the hens would have no access to any outside space at all? i.e. no run? if that is the case, then I personally would find that situation hard to accept. Maybe having 5 hens that free-range means I can't think out of the box as it were?

However, my two new bantams spent their first few nights on a makeshift curtain pole, tied to an exercise bike in our shed. They would come to the shed at bedtime, looking up at the perch, then fly up there. I draped black bin bags over the lower part of the bike to catch their poohs. Two weeks on, they still walk up to the shed at bedtime, even though they have a 5* new home complete with a cracking perch! In the morning one of our girls would sit on the filing cabinet in the shed, looking through the window, trying to fly out of it. For us, this arrangement was unavoidable, but not ideal.....and only temporary.

At the end of the day, you have to do what is best for your girls and you

best of luck,

 

[Lucylou]

Not sure what set up you're thinking of having, but if you mean you might only have a very small area & not enough space for the 2 chooks to free range why not have a small ark & enclosed run? They only take up a small area or an egloo with own run. That way they would be safe, contained but still have an outside area too.

 

[dominique]

Thanks for your comments. I was thinking they could be let out when I am home, as may be moving to a more urban set-up for a year or so. But it looks like they will have to go to pastures new unfortunately. Best for them really, and I think that is what one should keep in mind.

 

[Tim]

A standard garden shed 10 x 8 sort of size would be huge for a pair of bantams.

I'd see no reason why you couldn't do that so long as the shed didn't get too hot and you fed them greens etc regularly. Smaller breeds like Dutch bantams, Japanese Bantams, Seramas and many, many show birds are kept inside to keep their feathers clean for most, if not all of the time and some trios are kept in runs that are far smaller than this... You could provide them with branches to perch on and tables to go up onto / under too.

I have a shed that I made a mesh door for - I use this for emergency housing - so if I need to quarantine some birds for a while.

I would consider opening windows or mesh windows and a fully open door and keeping some shade on the shed on part of the south side. If they can get some free range when you are home, that would be good for them.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a 6x4 garden shed for some of my girls they love it I do have a run attatched as I have 9 hens in it. In hot weather I use the cheep garden trelis in the doorway to get extra air through the shed and the girls cannot get out I just move it to close the door at night. Your two will be fine in there hang feeder and drinker and either the trellis in door way or cut the door in half and have a stable door so you can open the top for the air movement. when your at home let them out to wonder round.