The Poultry Keeper

nigel · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:04 am Post subject: What do you think?

When we first started keeping hens last year (it seems longer) we bought this starter kit from Meadowsweet Poultry. When we expanded in February we bought Grosvenor Standard from Littleacre products and intended closing the original small house down and keeping it for emergencies/isolation etc. The Hens have had other ideas with 5 living in the small house and 6 in the Grosvenor.

What do you think? should I close down the small house, or leave things as they are. I suppose I don't really need to have them all in one coup. I am a little concerned that in winter 6 hens in the Grosvenor won't be enough to keep them warm.

Edit
to correct url for Grosvenor - sorry Embarassed

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

CP · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:45 am Post subject:

The link for the Grosvenor doesn't work for me. Confused

I think keeping them all in 1 house, if it's large enough, would be the easier option. It also means you ony have 1 house to clean! Smile

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

http://www.littleacre-direct.co.uk/cat1_1.htm

stephen · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:54 am Post subject:

Nigel says "tell them I'm stupid, I'll correct it in a minute".

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

He can't be stupid, he got you didn't he ! Wink

stephen · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:16 pm Post subject:

LOL! Yeah, right. I think that gives the proof, doesn't it?

Lisa · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:32 pm Post subject:

I voted no.... because who am I to argue with the hens Laughing

I've still to get round to getting my new house built. My brother in law has agreed to build it. I've given him the weld mesh etc (he's sourcing the wood) but is waiting for the picture and dimensions Embarassed

I'm giving him a piccie of the Grosvenor, but can't decided how big. I'm inclined to go for the standard and then I'll have "room to grow" Wink

Is there anything on the Grosvenor you'd change? I remember you said (I think it was you Confused

) that the shallow pull out tray was not such a good idea on a windy day, so I was thinking fixed floor and full panel access at the back instead?)

Thinking about the size, I always understood that damp and draughts were the killer, not cold. So as long as those are avoided I would be happy to put my birds in a bigger than normally recommended house - they'll fluff and huddle to keep warm as need be.

Actually - thanks Nigel. Problem sorted Razz

No more dithering - time to email the larger size to my brother-in-law...

And finally, the only reason I could think of to put all your hens in one house would be if it is more convenient for you.

annie · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 155 Location: costa del cambs

I think it's great to have a little extra space so would keep things as they are you could always leave the doors open one night till very late and watch them vote with their feet thats fair Wink

nigel · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 6:25 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone. If they're not going to get cold in winter they can keep both houses. I don't want to upset the status quo and we have no problems with the pecking order. As for the extra cleaning I don't mind really and the chickens are always so helpful Very Happy

Lisa
It was me that said the slide out floor wasn't as useful as I thought it would be. It's very shallow - less than 1" - and so when you come to remove it it dumps the soiled shavings and straw under the house. What does remain in the floor tray gets blown everywhere, usually all over me, when pulled out. I think on reflection it would work better with a fixed floor and a larger door. If you're having to reach in to sweep the shavings up it's awkward through the half door. The only other thing I would have changed with the grosvenor is I think the roosting bars are a little low and I'd probably raise them slightly.

Annie,
They do vote with their feet 5 to the small house 6 to the large house.

Lisa · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:35 am Post subject:

Thanks Nigel Very Happy

nigel · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:52 am Post subject:

Lisa

have you seen the line drawings of the grosvenor on CountryFayre's website

http://countryfayre-countrystore.co.uk/drawings/grosvenor.pdf

added to the picture it may help the brother-in-law