The Poultry Keeper

skipperted · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Cumbria

Hi .. were new to this and intent to keep a few ( maybe 4 to 6 ) layers on our allotment.
Being a bit of a skinflint,and one who enjoys that sort of thing . I've built my own hen house.
It has a floor space of 3 ft by 2ft and two nest boxes on the side.
I'd just like to check a few things
I believe that this size house would be suitable for up to six chickens. is that right.
Secondly how big should the pop hole be.
and finally , how many roosting bars will I need and how high should they be inside.
I may be able to post a pic of the house once its finished

CP · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 3:23 am Post subject:

Some good information here for you to read skipperted.

http://tinyurl.com/8axt8

My OH has made our chicken's housing himself, mostly from recycled materials.

Good luck. Very Happy

skipperted · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Cumbria

some good info there , but wot about the size of the pop hole .. can anyone help

nigel · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 8:24 am Post subject:

pop holes are generally about 12" x 12"

and up to 15" x 15" for some of the larger breeds

mojo · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:12 am Post subject:

have 3 or 5 birds........poop hole12 by12 2 perches at differant heights...off you go only got to choose your breeds and you are on the way........good luck

fenwoman · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: building my own house

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2070 Location: North Cornwall

I think a lot depends on how long they are shut up in the house. If they go in at dusk and you let them out first thing in the morning you could perhaps get away with 4-6 banties, but there wouldn't be a lot of room for them if you didn't let them out untill late.Or are you going to have an auto pop hole opener as they will be on your allotment? Is the house high enough for them to walk about under the perch?

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Well done you, building your own house ~ are you able to put a picture up for us to see?
Yes, I would have said 2 -3 larger girls of maybe 4 or 5 bantams in that size house. I know you will look in and think......I could have put loads more girls in....but that's just the way they are, they will go close together to sleep ~ leaving half the house emppty!
I had an automatic pop hole opener and they are excellent for letin gthe girls out and in. I had a timer so I could vary the coming out time, but it closed by the dusk light.
If you are going to have them on allotment I think maybe you should also have a roofed run for them, as you won't be able to be there all the time to watch over them and some like to hop over fences!. I think Stephen & Nigel use electric fencing for their allotment girls to keep them safe.
Sorry just more things to think about.
But on to the more serious topic ~ what are you getting........and when???

skipperted · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Cumbria

Hi . I'll get a picture up on here as soon as I can work out how ...

Our allotment is set up with a large penned area with a high fence for the birds to run around in, also as we live only 10 mins walk from so it they will be let out each morning and returned at dusk.
As to what birds we are getting, well were not quite sure yet but we should be ready in the next week or so.
Some of the other poultry keepers on the other allotments have said that a visit to a nearby battery farm usually works out quite well. Although initially the birds may be a bit "scruffy", after a few weeks they return to being a good looking bird and lay quite well with no health problems. We also like this idea of rescuing some of the birds.
Anyone have any views on that ?
The house is quite high 3' 6" So there should be enough room under the perches to walk around.
I'll probably end up building a second house anyway !!

CP · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 11:57 am Post subject:

You need to ask for space in the Gallery, or use a remote host like Photobucket to post photo's on the forum. Smile