 |
 Hen House - A very small hen house site giving you details on various poultry house equipment, as well as how to build a hen house, and possible plans you could use or modify for your specifications.
|
|
|
|
|
Details and links to keeping chickens and what is involved. Things you should look for in your chicken when you're buying, and other things you may need to know when keeping chickens.
|
For lots of detailed information on keeping chickens use the links we've found. They provide a huge amount of information which is more than enough to help
you get started on raising your own chickens. The following is obtained from a range of websites, and from the experience of a friend of ours.
Buying Chickens
If you're only wanting them for eggs then don't buy them too old or too young. If you live in the United Kingdom and you're unsure of where to buy them, the
website "Down The Lane" has a very nice selection of poultry suppliers for England, Scotland and Wales.
It is best to buy chickens when it is light & the chickens are out & about. A healthy chicken will be bright, alert and active during the day. Her feathers
will be glossy, and if she is already laying her comb will be pronounced and bright red. Younger birds, not yet laying eggs, have smaller combs which grow in
size and colour.
Fencing
Your fencing will vary depending on where you live. If you live in the country side then you're likely going to need the most protection to keep out foxes
and things alike. Having a high fence is all good and well, but a fox is still likely going to get over it. I'd suggest an electric wiring all the way around
the top to make sure they don't get over.
|
|
|
Electric wiring around top of fencing
|
The bottom of the fencing is just as important as the top. If you don't have concrete around your fencing then you'll want to make sure your fencing/mesh
sinks into the ground that bit further making it hard for foxes to dig under.
|
|
|
|
|
The most relevant links we could find, placed here free |
 Down The Lane
- Information about raising chickens, building a hen house, hatching eggs, pictures of chicken coops, designs and more. www.downthelane.net
Omlet
- Great resource of advice, tips and essential information on everything chicken. There's even an "Omlet Guide" to buying chickens. www.omlet.co.uk
The Poultry Site
- An article on feeding chickens for best health and performance. www.thepoultrysite.com
What to feed them?
Since chickens are omnivores, they will basically eat anything that is at hand, or that takes their fancy at the time. (A bit like us humans). In the wild
they would eat seeds, bugs, grubs, insects, mice (small) and even lizards! Because of this, you should always let your chickens "run about" as often as you
can.
|
|
|
Layer pellets
|
By allowing them to do this you will be able to keep your chickens food cost down, as well as giving them a great way of living, which in turn makes them
healthy. Also as a bonus, there will be less bugs in your garden to eat your veg! (If you actually have any).
When and if you feed scraps to your chickens you will find out what they do and don't eat. You may find a specific chicken doesn't like something, but another
chicken does. It is advised you don't feed your chickens meat, or salt. Although I think fish is OK...you may want to research it a bit more. Some say not to
feed them meat, and others say they should have some animal/meat protein.
"The new "all vegetarian" chicken is a convenience to the mass-producer, who thus doesn't have to worry about the potential of latent animal diseases in
poultry feed. Mass-producers of poultry are certainly leery of disease, which might bring about the destruction of their entire laying flock."
|
|
|
Chicken feed
|
|
|
Back
Site written by Edoardo Salazar & Neil Villette