Chickens.

[mooserx]

Ok, me and Mrs Mooserx are looking at getting some chooks, we want 3/4, can anyone give me some advice and info on coops, runs, food, bedding etc.

We've done some research and we have an available space of around 9ft x 7ft for a run and coop. Will this be adequate?

I have an idea for building a fence around the run, involving some 6ft fenceposts and some chicken wire buried a foot into the ground to keep out Mr fox. Anything else I should consider?
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[Skudd]

You need a big sign outside your house saying Free Range Eggs.
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[Martay]

we got 4 hens, each bout 5lbs in size, in a 6 X 3 X 3, with a seperate house.
2 x blue moran
2 x black rock
really friendly
wood chips in the run, straw n sawdust in the house. Mixed corn and layers pellets for food, sweet tin for water (with a big stone in so they dont flip it over) Also the occasional lettuce or bread.
So long as its cat / fox proof, should be great run
hope some of that helps
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[The Artist]

You are thinking about it too much.

We have a few chickens well 1 left and a cockerel because we got 4 originally but 3 grew up to be male which means we need more. (They taste so much better than supermarket ones and bigger)

Anyway, just need a run and under cover bit. We just put a bit of straw in. We let them out in the day, the cat is way to scared of them to even go near them and they don't go outside our yard for some reason.

If you get a cockerel and eat it, you will realise what proper chicken tastes like. Completely different to any bought chicken, even those expensive corn fed ones. Much bigger and much tastier.

Food wise, handful of corn a day, maybe 2.

[mistergixer]

Get Polish Bantams, just for the comedy:

https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Polish/WCBP4PHeads.JPEG
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[map]

I was intrigued as neighbours down the road have a coop and I had thought it a bit of an indulgence.

Anyhow, appears from this site that this coop is for 4 to 5 birds and would easily fit into the space you describe. Only £130 so I was surprised it's affordable (mind you, that's an offer price).

Best of luck
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[yen_powell]

[The999Kid]

[Flip]

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Pat
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[10 pence Short]

Yeah, do it. As said they are really easy to keep. You do need a dedicated area for them really as they eat and scratch up the grass.
You only need the basics to start with, House , bedding and layers pellets. A feeder and water dish.
Poultry grit(maybe) worming powder, red mite powder and Corn can be bought later.
The bedding I use is Aubiose, horse bedding, can be bought from country stores etc, I used to use wood shavings from Pets at home a big bag is about £10 and lasts about 6 months. Auboise lasts loads longer as it's more absorbent I can see it lasting 12 months for the same price.
I've adapted the run/coop to double the original size and added a home made automatic door opener so they can free range in daylight and it stops the 5am squawks to be let out. They can be noisy when announcing an egg or spooked, So bear that in mind if you have close neighbours.
You are stoke way? I bought mine from Moorlands Poultry not far from Leek and there's a place on waterworks bend just north of Stone where I get the feed and corn from.
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[Clanger]

Don't forget they need grit. Best bet is to save their egg shells, crush them up and then feed them that. That ensures healthy chickens and better eggs.
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[Rowey]

They're noisy.
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[Jenks]

[10 pence Short]

[Walloper]

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[WildGoose]

[10 pence Short]

[Charlie]

A friend of mine used to keep all sorts of chickens. Although recently he got himself some ex-layers from some company, anyway these chickens didn't lay for a couple of weeks while they settled in and after that they apparently lay so many more eggs than any other breed he has had before. So if you want lots of eggs get some ex-layers
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