Totally new, help needed

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hello everybody

i am wanting to start to keep hens, mainly for a bit of enjoyment but also for the positives in having fresh eggs.
i did look into this last year but i got so far and other things came along and i got way laid and it got put off.

anyway, i have a few questions to ask but first i will describe what i have and what i want to do.

i have a large backyard and a area suitable for hesn (i think), i have 2 old sheds that i am looking to convert into coops, i think i could easily get 10 in each very comfotably.
the area i am looking at is 20 meters by 20 meters, the ground is mainly grass/weeds/bushes and a few trees, i think its an ideal area for the hens to roam free.

question time
1. i have it currently fenced at 3 parts (back, left and right) and i am looking to fence the front but i am unsure how hight to go to keep predetors out.

2. next door have a cat that tends to like our back yard, could this harm the hens if i leave them unatended during the day?

3. i am looking to get this up and running in 1-2 weeks, what age do i get the hens and when do i expect them to lay? also what hens would be best?

i am sure i will have more questions as the time goes on but if i could have some info i would be greatfull

thanks guys, i will try and get some photos up this weekend
 
Hello and welcome :)
Your garden sounds ideal- the fencing needs to be at least 6 ft high and even then the best option is electric fencing- otherwise a completely covered run. Foxes can and will dig underneath and can jump up and over fences-try to make it as fox proof as possible and dont forget to lock them up every night. Next doors cat is not a problem unless you have tiny bantams and even then i wouldn't worry about a cat.
As for chickens -it's up to you to decide what you like the look of- try and do some research about the breeds you like and ask as many questions as possible. With your first hens i would go for POL (point of lay) birds if you can afford it. These are just coming into lay and will lay well once settled in. They are the most expensive - older birds and younger birds will be cheaper. There are so many breeds, all different- some placid, some a little flighty, some easy to keep and some with specialist needs-so you need to decide what breed/breeds you like- you can get a few different ones- have a mixture or stick to one breed -some lay brown, dark brown, white, cream, blue and green eggs! All down to personal choice.
Regards, David :)
 
Thanks for your help davidd
i take it that if i have different breeds this wont cause fighting?

6 ft seems pretty high, i may have to rethink about havving a covered run? i wont have a problem making it fox proof in the respect of the fos getting under but the height maybee a problem, ill see what i can do this week.

another question if i may, i am looking to have 2 shelves in the shed and make 4 nesting box's (8 total) would it be best to only have 8 hens in each or will they use different box's at different times, so i could have more hens than box's?

as i understand the hens dont usse the box's for sleeping, they sleep perched ? or am i wrong?

thanks
 
Hi, no, different breeds will not fight- you only have a problem introducing new birds into an established flock- if you get your altogether they may squabble but will soon settle down. As for nest boxes you really need one to every 3 or 4 hens minimum- they wont use them all- they will have their favourites but you need enough to stop them squabbling and breaking eggs trying to get into a few boxes.The more space you can give them the better- then, if the weather is as bad as this winter was , they can stay in their warm sheds with plenty of space. Most breeds will perch and should be encouraged to do so. As long as the perches are the correct height for the breed and correct thickness and higher than the nest boxes- otherwise they will sleep in the nest boxes-making a right mess :o
I would start off with, say, about 6 or 8 hens and see how you go- then you can always add more! 6 hens will give you, depending on breed, about 30 eggs a week.
regards, David :)
 
Just another question, this time about feeding

i have had a quick browse at different type of chicken feeds and noticed you can get some pretty big sack fulls (20kg) how much would the average hen eat daily?
would it be twice a day or once a day, and how many grammes roughly

just wanting to work out a pricing plan

thanks
 
Most people just feed layers pellets- you can fill the feeders/hoppers up and just top it up when necessary- they should have it ad-lib - it is cheaper buying 20kg and i use about 15 bags a week :o If they have layers pellets ad-lib then you only need to give then a handful of wheat or mixed corn in the evening- the layers pellets contains all they need to keep them healthy- just be careful about vermin getting to your feeder at night- mine are al inside so when the hens are shut in then the feed is also safe :) A 20kg bag with 6 hens should last a week or two especially if they are free-ranging- eating grass/plants , worms etc
regards, David :)
 
Hi, My 5 chooks eat about a kilo a day (I have a plastic just which when full weighs approx a kilo & one full jug is a days ration approx) I have a hopper that takes about 2.5 kilo's & I more or less top it up every day with the jug full.
 
Hmm...interesting point on the food per hen.
I've been wondering what my girls are eating, because the 15kg bag of layers pellets, just isn't going down. I know I only have 6 pekins, but I've had this bag since the beginning of March and the bottom is nowhere in sight. I end up throwing the food out after a week. Between them they consume less than a kilo a week, yet I see them all pecking away at the hopper. They free-range for most of the day and get a handful of mixed corn in the evenings. They seem alert and happy, and are all laying, but I wonder why they're not eating the pellets? Are they getting enough from the grass/grubs etc? The eggs are super tasty.
Any thoughts, David?
 
PS.
As for the cats...
I have 2 cats and they have taken to the pekins well. They like to sit in the enclosure on the roof of the coop soaking up the sun.
I initially had Black Rocks and they gave one of the cats 'what for' the first day they were out and the cats never went near them again.
Now they all sunbathe together, and I've only had hens since February. If anything the cats are far more wary of the hens than the other way around.
It's been OK for me, with no trouble at all - don't know what other peoples experiences are?
 
Hello, yes, they will be getting enough from the grass/corn at the moment-given the choice they will always prefer corn to pellets-just keep the feeder topped up and they will take what they need- if you are worried about them not getting enough- stop the corn for a few days and see if that makes a difference.If they are laying and well i wouldn't worry too much- they are finding enough to eat outside.
My geese get pellets and mixed corn- they normally pick out the corn and leave the pellets :o So some days i only give them pellets and then they will eat them-regards, David
 
Thanks, David.
How many eggs does a pekin lay? I get 4 every other day and 1 inbetween.
 
Thanks, again, David.
My pekins are definitely pet birds, but I do love the bantams eggs. I'm eying up some others that maybe lay better e.g. RIR, NHR, Barnevelder, Brown Leghorns, Australorp, Wyadottes (all bantams). I'll have to do a bit of research.
Anyway, just off to collect the new henhouse.
Thanks.
 
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