The Poultry Keeper

Marcus · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Hertfordshire

I have built a wire run, approx 15' x 20', but have not yet moved in any chickens because of my girlfriends concerns about bird flu. Am I right in saying:

1. There is little or no risk of a human catching bird flu until a mutation of the H1N5 strain takes place.
2. If there was an out break in this country I would have to put a roof over the currently open run but would not have to have the hens destroyed unless they contracted the virus.
3. Given that I do not live near any habitat for water birds there is relatively less risk of my hens catching the virus.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Marcus
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CP · Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 6:33 pm Post subject:

I would say you are mostly correct, but regarding No.2, I think if we get the virus in this country big-time, DEFRA will decide when & if you have to dispatch your hens. It won't be if they actually get the virus, but if it's in your immediate area. Sad

DEFRA actually advise you to feed & water your poultry under cover, so roofing the run may be something you should do anyway?

Do you have hens at the moment, or are you thinking of getting some?

mojo · Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 7:35 pm Post subject:

i would recommend roofing before putting in your birds.two reasons.easier to do and less stress for the birds....good luck.mojo

fenwoman

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2127 Location: North Cornwall

Re no.1.

If your birds have it then you can catch it from them, but until it mutates you cant give it to somebody else, but they can also catch it from your chickens. Or so i believe

Marcus · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Hertfordshire

Thanks for the responses.

I do not have chickens at the moment though I grew up with a lorry load of rescued battery hens and have kept four leghorns, free range, at my current address in the past.

I would appreciate any thoughts on how many chickens I could keep in my run. Chicken comfort being far more important than egg yield. Also pointers on where I could source rescued battery hens.

Thanks.

Marcus

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

Hi Marcus

In the run (if they aren't allowed out to free range) then about 10 sq foot per bird is a recommended minimum

fenwoman · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:22 pm Post subject:

HelenP · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144 Location: GLOUCESTERSHIRE

We've just built a run 12ft long by 6ft wide attached to a 6 by 4 shed. The run is roofed with onduline and the ends 'bunged up' with polystyrene shaped especially to fit (bought in B&Q). We've used weld mesh wire which although expensive is sturdy and should (hopefully) keep Mr Fox out. From advice on here we've given the run a mesh base as well and the bottom and up the sides of the shed are also meshed - as are the base and sides of the external next boxes. Previously the chickens were in an arc which I found a bit of a pain due to restricted access for cleaning etc. We keep 5 chickens in this size run and may increase to a max of 8 - if I can go through establishing the pecking order again!! Given that our living conditions and hygiene standards are considerably better than those living in other areas of the world we decided to still go ahead and get chickens - we've now had ours about 6 weeks. Apart from the obvious expense of building the run and getting the shed I find it very satisfying to look out of the kitchen window and see the chicks scratching around at the bottom of the garden.

mojo · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:18 pm Post subject:

well done helen you are well on the way to addiction