Site for Hen House, suitable?

[sqweek01]

Hello Chooks!

I don't have chickens (yet!) and have been reading through these posts for info.

I'm wondering whether the site I have would be a good place for a hen house. I've been looking at TPeers house build & am very impressed, my house would be similar to this. I have a 7 ft x 3 ft area to play with.

The place where I'd put it has plenty of shelter but the only thing is the floor is concrete. Now there's no way I can get this up apart from with a jackhammer! But would this be okay as a floor if I topped it up with something a bit softer? I would then let my chooks free-roam in the garden when I'm in, and when my cats are in the house.

Regards

Clare

[Bramble-Poultry]

Personal preference - but concrete is great - no grubby chicks - easy to clean (pressure washer) and with such a small area grass would very quickly become mud and would then after 12 months would be fowl and need digging out and starting again. Pop sawdust or straw on the top if you desire (we do) but many people do not even do this

If you want to allow them access to grass, then 1 option is to just open thier door and let them free range or another which we use very sucessfully with our little chicks is to put them in either a rabbit run or dog/child playpen on the lawn - that way they cannot get at your veg, flowers etc. Ir gives you a little more control over them whilst affording them a little freedom

[janeyo]

Concrete will be fine. You can always get some end of the season rolls of turf from b&q etc for them to scrap at.

[Snadger]

I just wonder how many chooks you hope to house in such a small area? Main consideration is that it's sheltered but they are able to get a bit of sunlight each day!

[Jardiniere]

wouldnt worry about the cats either - my cat and the three next door keep well clear of my two chickens ......

[Glutton4...]

You could consider putting their Coop on legs, say 2' off the ground. That way, they'd still have the ground space as well as somewhere to shelter from the rain (mine don't bother usually, but hey ho!) That's what I plan to do if I ever get mine into their 'official' quarters.

The area around the Coop will be the first to spoil, so being on concrete will be ideal, as BP said it's so easy to clean. With that small a place though, you won't be able to have many.

As Jardiniere says, don't worry about the cats - Chooks will stand up for themselves quite easily against a mere Cat LOL!

[sqweek01]

Thanks for your replies, they're much appreciated

Sounds like a go-er then! The design I'm going to base my house on is two-tired so that would give them a bit more space to run around. I did think about putting some turf in there janeyo, I could even grow my own

They will get some sunlight too Snadger, I grow some of my crops up that side so I know that sun gets down there.

It'll obviously depend on what breed I plan to have to how many, but I was thinking of just three chook-chooks.

Regards

Clare