need to add some bits

[raine]

Hi all, I've been given a hen house and run as a pressie but need to sdapt it abit and I need your advice! Am a first time keeper (3 ex-batts arriving the end of november) and the coop has no perches or nest box and quite a small door for cleaning.What i want to know is:
where can i buy perches nest boxes etc
whats the best place to buy wood bark for run (fixed)
Can i have a nest box outside or does it need to be incorporated into hutch
Whers a good place to buy run panels(i want to make the run bigger)
Anything else!
Please let me know if anything i've asked is completely bonkers- i think i've done a lot of homework but it's all from books and you're the lot with all the know!

[Noodle]

OK, the best thing to do is to make it all yourself, it will save you mega bucks!! the perches should be pits of 2x4 with the corners rounded so they look like ovals, put them in longest side level with the floor.

You'll just need one nest box for 3 (of 12x12) and it can be either instide or attched to the outside. If it's on the outside it's much easier to check for eggs and it gives the girls more room inside the house on rainy days etc. I'm aboutto start making one for my converted kennel and I'm going to have it on the outside of the house and the run, so I don't have to go in to collect the eggs.

For the run pannels, buy some wire mesh, the smaller the holes and the stronger it is the better. build square frames out of wood adn the nail the mesh on.

Sorry don't know about suppliers in your area.

P.S, make everything bigger than you need as you will be sure to get more than just the 3!!

[fitzilian]

try albany pets in ongar for weldmesh ... can collect from them so dont need to pay postage (they're on ebay)

we got 40m for £38 , which is much better than places like wickes and b&q...

[raine]

Hey that's great- ilive in chigwell row and ongar is practically round the corner!
And noodle thanks for the advice too- you make it sound so easy!

[Hilary B]

Having a nest box outside doesn't mean separate from the house. The hens should enter it from the house (if possible). It should be pretty dark in there (except when you lift the lid to take the eggs out). If you can manage to put in a 'false floor' that slides out through a slot in the side of the house, that is a MUCH easier method for cleaning (but if the house wasn't made for that approach, it's a right swine to adapt one that way). Most of the poo will be underneath the perch.
Sawdust on the floor of the house, straw, shavings or similar in the nest box. Change when dirty (it may be often, it may not).

Try to have the perch higher than the way into the nest box. If you aren't sure about shutting the hens in the house at night (it may be a problem with work, or there may not be a door to close), make sure that the doorway is sheltered from cold winds (face it towards something that will stop gales blowing in) because ex-bats in late november will not be used to the cold!

[lynda66]

OK, the best thing to do is to make it all yourself, it will save you mega bucks!! the perches should be pits of 2x4 with the corners rounded so they look like ovals, put them in longest side level with the floor.

does the 2x4 go with the 2 at the top, or the 4??

[Noodle]

The 4! Sorry that was an odd way to explain it! As you're having ex-batts they won't know how to roost and may never learn as it's something they have never had the opportunity to do. So don't be worried if they don't sleep in their nest box (mine do and they were free range before I got them!)
Glad you're getting prepared nice and early! The ex-batts, are sooo lovely.
Oh and they won't know how to use the ramp! They will learn that though, just takes a few days!

[lynda66]

thanks, now i need to work out how to fit them in

[Snadger]

The perch in my hut is only 2 inch by 2 inch, slightly rounded on the top and they all use it.

Ideally I would like a branch of a tree about 3" thick, with bark left on but I haven't found any in a skip as yet!

I will though, eventually, probably someones pared down discarded Christmas tree!!!!

PS If the nestboxes are inside they can be made from anything, cardboard box, chipboard/plywood offcuts, plastic bin, bricks with board on top, breezeblocks etc etc! Let your imagination run riot!

[Hilary B]

Bark might be good for 'grip' but could harbour parasites. 2 x 2 is usually enough, with top corners rounded off. Yes internal nestbox can be any sort of 'box' about the right size.
You do NOT want hens to sleep in the nest box. That is for eggs. The PERCH is for sleeping on! It is worth going out soon after dark for the first few nights and lifting the hens to the perch. If they absolutely refuse to 'get the message', well you have to live with it.

[lynda66]

i guess it's not so important if they don't want to perch in mine, as ducks don't perch, i guess they are gonna sleep in the nestboxes anyway don't suppose it matters if they all sleep on the floor really.

[lynda66]

Ideally I would like a branch of a tree about 3" thick, with bark left on but I haven't found any in a skip as yet!

I will though, eventually, probably someones pared down discarded Christmas tree!!!!

i've got loads of branches how about ringing the council tree people, or a tree surgeon in your area, you might be able to pick some up while they are chopping the tree down.

[frias]

Snadger, I'm really jealous that all your girls perch. I have tried going out at night and lifting mine on but they fall off! You should hear the noise too and all the flapping about. Right now there are 5 crammed in one nest box with the boss on her own in the main part of their house. I have to block off 2 nest boxes at night so that they remain clean for the eggs.

[Snadger]

i've got loads of branches how about ringing the council tree people, or a tree surgeon in your area, you might be able to pick some up while they are chopping the tree down.

To be honest Lynda I live in a fairly rural setting with loads of woodland about and it's basically just a case of getting up off my arse and pillaging a fallen branch!(with permission of course!)

[kirsty b]

Mine are ex-bats and they all perch on the perches except one who perches on the side of a nest box. Thankfully I have 2 nest boxes and they all lay in the cleanest one.