Clearing the run

[mahfoof the duck]

Dear All,

We are considering getting some chickens for our allotment. The area where we think they could go is currently very over grown, with some brambles and thistles. We know that chickens like to peck and will clear the area pretty quickly, but I assume we will need to dig out the thistles and brambles. Is this right? Any advice would be welcomed.

Thanks

[Glutton4...]

Hi and welcome to the vine.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along soon to answer your question. My Dad has an area that's overgrown with brambles and needs clearing, so I will await the news eagerly too!

[shirlthegirl43]

I would say cut the brambles down to a manageable level and leave the chooks to it. they love things to dig about underneath and are superb at clearing overgrown anything! I put ours on a weedy overgrown bit of garden and now the only thing standing is a lone nettle!

[lynda66]

i'd cut the brambles down too, and leave them too it, they'll have great fun clearing the patch

[Birdie Wife]

My feeling is that they will probably clear in between the nettles but as the nettles have chunky roots a fair way down into the ground, the chickens won't clear them entirely - at least they don't on my plot does them good to have a bit of shelter, but don't leave too much or they'll be tempted to lay their eggs underneath (what am I saying?? YOUR eggs!) and you'll need gauntlets to go and get them.

[Suechooks]

I dug out brambles and thistles as I noticed the chooks avoided the thistles in the run and they are very prickly and I kept tripping over the brambles! As others said they don't like nettles either but everything else seems to be fair game!

[mahfoof the duck]

That's great advice, thanks.

Also, what are people's views on keeping the chooks at the allotment? Would we need to go every day? If the run was secure enough could we leave the pop hole open enough for the chickens to get in and out? We're just thinking thru lots of options!

[lynda66]

unless you have some automatic way of getting the eggs out of the nest box, then leaving the eggs will probably make them broody,(depending on breed) also in cold weather the water will need to be checked a couple of times a day, as they can't drink when it's frozen, they would also need a way of having access to food all the time, so some sort of auto feeder too.

[MaureenHall]

I think Snadger is probably one of the best ones to give advice on this, he'll give you all the info about leaving the pop-hole open, water filling up etc. Best of luck, and welcome

[Suechooks]

That's great advice, thanks.

Also, what are people's views on keeping the chooks at the allotment? Would we need to go every day? If the run was secure enough could we leave the pop hole open enough for the chickens to get in and out? We're just thinking thru lots of options!

I keep my chooks on the allotment which is about a mile from home. I go morning and evening to make sure they are ok and put the feeders away so Ratty doesn't get them. Also the water has been freezing during the day in the very cold weather so needed defrosting. I also go during the day to let them out on the plot but this is no problem for me as I'm retired. I think you do need to go each morning and evening for the reasons everyone has outlined.
I would never leave the pophole open at night as rats could get in and you can be sure there will be rats on an allotment site.
Purely on the side of animal welfare I feel you need to go twice a day but others may differ from me. I don't think I'd sleep at night if I hadn't checked them all to bed. It is difficult if you're working but if anyone else on the allotment site has hens perhaps you could arrange to share care with them? One of you do mornings and the other do evenings or something?
I'm sure you'll find a way to suit you and the hens and I know there will be many replies with advice on this thread!!!

[kirsty b]

Mine are on an allotment too. Go down morning and night. Shed buts up against side of run and pop hole open all the time so they can let themselves in and out. Run is roofed and half covered to keep worst of weather off. They seem happy enough, have been keeping chooks for almost 2 years now, and can't ever imagnie not having them.