Snagder, Flummy other wise chicken keepers

[smallfrog]

Hiya,

I’am seriously thinking about getting some chooks.

Just want to check a few things out with you lot 1st before i mention it to OH and Son who will run off and get some from our friend.
Because I have an allotment and room at home I was wondering if they could move between the 2 or will this be too stressful.
They would live here at home for the most part but maybe a few months in the summer/autumn moved down there to churn up the soil etc. Is this madness the allotment is about 5 mins drive away so I can go up and let them in and out but would prefer then to be at home most of the time.
I know they can be destructive so if they had a run to run around in and then were let out to play when we were at home would they ruin the whole of the lawn and garden or just peck merrily around. What breeds are good are good for laying are the chickens that lay the blue eggs worth having.

[lettucegrow!]

I don't see that moving them as a group would be distressing, especially as you are thinking of parts of the year rather than a daily basis.
Yes they are destructive and they will wreck the garden, even if only out for a short while. But some breeds are less so,may be Orpingtons or Cochins- can't remember but am sure someone will know.
Blue egg layers are lovely. I have a Skyline which is a cream legbar based hybrid. They are skittish and mines not keen on being handled but I'm working on persuading her otherwise! It depends what you want from you birds. Do lots of reading and you'll soon decide. I will say you won't regret getting them, they are the most rewarding animals I have kept and really wish I could home more- need a lotto win.

[Polly Fouracre]

It wouldn't hurt your hens at all to move them around. I often take young birds up to the field with me by day and bring them back at night. I fancy they enjoy the day out!
If left in a run for most of the time they will scratch around and prepare a nice patch for veg. for you. But let out onto a lawn for an hour or two a day they will be so pleased with fresh grass etc. that they probably won't think to scratch for food.
Blue egg layers, Araucana or Cream Legbar lay as well as any rare breed but not as well as a hybrid especially designed for laying. Their eggs are pretty though.
If you want hens for their looks there are lots of breeds to consider, some are friendly and even affectionate but lay relatively few eggs others are strikingly lovely and lay fairly well. Google different breeds and make your choice. Whichever you choose you will fall in love with them!

[Flummery]

I like to get the pleasure (and it IS a pleasure) of seeing mine during the day so I have them in the garden. I know Snadger has his at the allotment and you do have to go every day if you choose to have them there. I would think if you move them lock stock and hen-house you might find they go off lay for a few days. They are creatures of habit. I've even heard of people moving their house form one end of a free-range field to the other and the chools all going to stand forlornly where their house used to be at bed time, even though it was in sight!

Whatever you do, you'll love them!

[jessmorris]

I have free range banties in my garden and they have decimated the (very small lawn) but apart from that have only eaten three plants to the ground. They scratch about in between the bushes and large perennials, and sunbathe together on patches of bare ground. They also steal cherries from low branches but all in all don't do much damage. They have an area around the pen which has deep wood chips which they like to burrow about in too which probably stops the garden getting scratched up quite so much. They do dig holes to dust bath in here and there - I think they're quite sweet. Most of them are quite small feathery footed bantams though (600-900grammes in weight) - I think a full sized hen with big feet, a big appetite and big thigh muscles could do considerable damage!

[its hilly]

I think a full sized hen with big feet, a big appetite and big thigh muscles could do considerable damage!

LOL Jess.
Smallfrog, if you have a fair size run for wet weather (go for a solid base with deep litter on top judging from what's been said on here before) and let them out to free range some of every day they wont be as destructive. But veg patches and chooks do not get on for one simple reason, they love veg! And they will dig dust baths even if you give them one in the run. Although given the choice between some nice soft soil in a sunny place and lawn they do prefer the soil....mostly.
Go for it though, they will repay any damage they do cause with endless entertainment. I just wanted three egg layers, 18 months on i've got seven different breeds...
and my cream legbars (blue eggs) lay every other day at least..