Chooks at the lottie

[Sonata]

Well, it looks like my dream of having a patch of lottie might be on it's way (we're looking at a site tomorrow) so I'm allowing myself to do some research on chooks.

Does anyone keep their chooks at the lottie, and if so, what sorts of security measures would you need to take? Do you have to go every day? I was thinking of having a large aviary sort of thing I suppose - or is that excessive?

Erm..can't think of what else I need to ask.

[kevnsue]

Hi,heras site fence panels will make a good chook pen.

[Two_Sheds]

Do you have to go every day?

yes, you should.
Even if they have enough feed, you need to make sure nobody (2 or 4-legged) has got "at" them.

Unfortunately chickens are frequently attacked on allotments ... just read through some of the recent posts, esp. by Bluemoon

[di]

Ours are at the lottie.
We go up three times a day.First thing to let them out & feed them,then during the day to clean them out & have a natter and then last thing to shut them in for the night.
There are sometimes days where the middle one may get missed,in which case I'll be up there earlier in the morning so I can give them a quick clean & ensure they have extra food & water to last them the day.
Chooks "can" unfortunately be a target on lotties,but I think these cases are rare.Bluemoon's thread is heartbreaking,but I don't think let it put you off getting them.There are a lot of us on here that do keep them on our lotties that have had no trouble,but like TS's says,it still pays to make at least daily checks on them,just in case.

[bluemoon]

Ours were attacked by 2 legged vermin on Monday night, sadly these things are nocturnal, there's a permanent closed season, you can't shoot, trap or poison them at any time and they are protected by law. There's little you can do to keep them out either.
Having said that, I love keeping chooks on my allotment, I wouldn't be able to keep them at all if not for the lottie and despite how I felt on Tuesday morning, I wouldn't be without them. We visit twice a day, first thing in the morning to let them out and fill feeders and drinkers and again in the evening, when we have more time, to let them out for a wander and just to spend an hour or two in their company. We always lock them away again once they've gone to bed. We also spend as much of our other free time as possible with them too, so most days they have 3 visits, it's just that my working hours vary and so do OH's and occasionally they clash horribly making a 3rd visit difficult.
You'll need a metal feed bin as rats will gnaw their way into a bag or plastic bin and not just eat, but contaminate, your feed. Either that or keep the feed at home and just take enough for that day with you. This is what we do and a couple of those tupperware cereal storage containers is sufficient for ours (11 hens and 3 cockerels). Whichever you do you'll need to think about how you'll deal with rats, they are usually at a low level on allotments anyway, but their populations can explode when people keep chickens - either that or they all converge on the one spot. If you start by accepting that they are a problem that you have to keep on top of then they shouldn't reach nightmare proportions.
We've built large runs so the chickens have plenty of space, even when we're not there and I'm growing a few things especially for the chickens, they seem especially fond of yellow courgettes so next year an extra plant will go in just for them.
I'm looking on the bright side. What happened on Monday was awful, but it's rare and at least all my chooks are healthy and survived the experience, though that would not have been the case had I not always made an early morning visit. But I remember reading on here an experience of someone who was not so lucky (matthew2riches, I think, if you want to search for it).
Finally I'd always have 2 drinkers in the run, it's tempting to just buy one large one, but chickens are surprisingly active and can easily knock one over, if they're going to be on their own for several hours on a hot summer day it's better to be safe than sorry. (Feeders don't matter, they'll just eat spilled food from the floor).
Please don't let my bad experience this week put you off, the chooks have given us far more pleasure than worry - oh and the eggs are delicious too.
Ooh, almost forgot, you'll need a supply of hot water for when you're scrubbing their houses clean. You can buy cheap single burner camp-stoves from just about everywhere (Argos, Millets etc), buy a kettle at the same time, dig out an old frying pan and it's a cuppa and a bacon buttie while you're waiting for it all to dry. It's a brilliant life!

[MrsC]

A couple of people at my lottie keep chickens and they are there morning, night and in between. I have 8 girls at home as I live too far away from the lottie to ensure that I could visit that often. Do you have any space at home to keep them?

[Suechooks]

I keep mine at the lottie but have twice had them stolen over 4 years. First time they just broke into the hut and took all they could carry (5 out of 6). The second time they were specifically targetting my 5 pure-bred pullets that I'd only had 10 days. I'm pretty sure I now know who was responsible but will never be sure. This time they thankfully left my older hybrids and ex-batts who are getting old so obviously knew what to look for even though they broke into both huts. I would have them at home if I could but it's just not possible. I have therefore taken as many precautions as I can. 4" bolts securing things, heavy duty padlocks, prickly hedging, electric fence, locked gates etc. The allotment site is secure too but if the low-life scum have a key and come with bolt cutters there's little I can do. The chickens are also marked - leg rings and purple spray on their bums! Makes them difficult to sell on quickly.
It's a difficult choice for me but to have or not to have? Wouldn't be without my girls so will in future go for ex-batts, so if they are stolen then at least I will have made a difference to their lives.
Check with other chook keepers on the site you choose and see what they say. I'm the first and so far only plot holder with hens so am the only target for the low-life. Hope it all goes well for you.

[Sonata]

Ah yes, I was so sorry to hear about the vandalism - that's what got me a bit chicken about the whole thing (ha ha). Thanks for the advice though everyone.

I would keep them at home, but don't think our garden is really big enough. I also don't want it getting trashed and covered in poo (I have a little one). Hmm, unless I could give them one big long run on the raised bed.

How many could I keep in an enclosure (if I were to let them freerange supervised during the day) 3 foot wide by about 20 foot long?

[beulah59]

At 1 square metre per hen that's 5 or 6 ...

[Sonata]

Oooh, now maybe I could have just a few in the back garden.

[matthew2riches]

Yes, I had issues with what I think to be 2 legged vermin. Again, don't let my experiences put you off. I keep all my chickens in the garden now where I know they are safe.

[MrsC]

Oooh, now maybe I could have just a few in the back garden.

Depends how many you want, but yes you could fit 5 or 6 in that space. I have 8 and getting 4 more (got to build a new run and hen house) plus the 8 I have already free range everyday in my garden

[Snadger]

I have 15 ISA brown layers in one coop and run, 2 minorca+1 Dorking+1 Light Sussex in another coop and run and finally, 1 Light sussex cockerel+1 Silver Sussex cockerel+1 Salmon faverolle cockerel all together in another coop and run.............all at the allotment.

I visit once a day, but this can sometimes be ALL day!

My system of always open pop holes and fully enclosed netted runs,was designed so that if I was unwell or a crisis developed at home, at a push I could leave them for a couple of days.
Luckily, in the time I've had them, nearly 2 years I haven't had to leave them for more than a day...........but it's nice to know I could if need be.

The allotment community are a good bunch of blokes and lasses and if a holiay is required someone is always available to look after the chooks if you are away..........as long as you return the compliment at some time.

I got my allotments for food growing originally but I can safely say that getting some chooks was one of the best things I ever did!

[beulah59]

Sadly, around here you are not allowed to keep chickens on the allotments ...