Thinking of keeping chickens

[Hayley]

I've been considering getting a couple of chickens for around 2 years. I've hatched several quails over this time but my other half has always said NO to chickens. I must admit I'm a little intimidated about the prospect of one jumping and getting away (my sisters were clipped and they still went over the garage) along with the amount of cleaning but the prospect to lovely fresh eggs and their cheeky characters still appeals to me.

I told my other half that I had brought 2 chickens while he was at work today. After growling 'you better not have' he proceeded to the garden to look for the non existent birds only to be disappointed when there was nothing there! Think I've got him on board now

I still have a lot of reading and research to do before I take the plunge but i'm getting closer!

I'm thinking of getting 2 of the brown warren chickens (there's only 2 of us at home so 2 birds would be plenty. The downside is I have dogs so the chances of having free ranging chickens is low. I have an unused shed complete with flight, heat and lighting which I used to breed budgies in - would this be suitable?

Any additional points of view and information would be gratefully received.

[ancee]

Why did you clip your sisters? Poor sisters. (Good job you didn't have brothers!) and why did you keep them in the garage? No wonder they escaped!
We're on the chicken slippery slope too Thinking of getting some next Spring yay

[rustylady]

Three would be better than two

[Hayley]

Three would be better than two

Why would 3 be better than 2? Is it to do with the pecking order?

[Stan79]

Three would be better than two

Why's that?

We're interested too!

[veggiechicken]

I've always had mine in threes. They don't lay every day, so with 2 you have more chance of an egg or two a day. If one chook is moulting, broody, sick, whatever, you still have 2 and it seems a more sociable number. If one dies, you still have a pair, not a lone chook when its becomes more difficult to introduce new birds.
I'm sure an expert will be along to tell you the real reasons but I was always advised to have them in 3s - and I always do what I'm told

[ancee]

I thought it was because of feng shui hahah!

[chris]

They're a flock animal - and like each others company (despite the poor so and so at the bottom of the pecking order ). VC is right - anyway. Even if you did get two, I can guarantee you'll be wanting more. I started out with 3, then went up to 6, lost 5 due to a dog attack, then back up to 6 - lost one due to some illness, and am thinking about picking another 2/3 up next year.

You may be alright due to your dogs (fox may be put off due to their precense) but it's worth while laying flag stones around the run area, or mesh so any predators are unable to dig underneath. I have a run, with a thick concrete base - it's like a fortress, but they free range in a separate garden all day.. I only tend to lock them up if I'm away.

How big is the run? Chickens like as much space as you can give them.

[Hayley]

Now you've got me worried, I don't do things by halves so i'll end up with a poultry farm if i'm not careful.

My ex budgie indoor flight is 6ft x 3ft and full shed height. The advantage is its insulated, has a tube heater and lighting which was all set up for the budgies but will save me freezing when I go out to tend to them. I'm thinking of adding an outdoor flight but not until spring.

[Scarlet]

As the others have said, chickens are flock birds so usually it is advised to have 3 minimum.
As for space- if you haven't got an outside run and the shed is only 6ftx3ft it really isn't big enough for chickens.

[landgirl]

The shed would make a good chicken house for 3 chickens - you would need some rails for them to roost on and some nest boxes to lay in. They do really need to go outdoors, I don't see much point in having them if they are shut up like commercial chickens. It's probably best to wait until the spring anyway, young chickens bought now will often wait until then to start laying.

[Verinda]

I agree, it's not fair to keep hens indoors, they need fresh air and sunshine, your eggs will be more like commercial eggs if your hens have no access to grass, be able to run about and dig for worms and insects and just live a more natural, happy henlike life! My dog is a collie/springer cross, she isn't bothered by my four hens even when they peck at her fur! I suppose some dogs might not be as easy going though.

[Hayley]

Thank you for all your posts and advice. I'm still researching at the minute but agree with the outdoor space requirement. The flight I have mentioned is in a 6x8 shed which has nothing else in so extending the 'chicken space' wouldn't be a problem.

As for the roaming space I have 2 options - both either side of the shed so I'd just make a small hatch in the shed to the outdoor space (1) a 6x8 piece of concrete (2) approx. 10ft x 10ft of soil. I'm guessing the soil would be the better option but would this be better covered like an aviary or open? I'm a little concerned about them jumping the fence. This part of the garden is already blocked off from the dogs.

[MartinRSharpe]

Could you use both?

During winter and very wet periods use the concrete as they wont churn it up (woodchips down on a section for them to scratch in?) then when it is nicer let them on the soil/grass.

[Hayley]

Could you use both?

During winter and very wet periods use the concrete as they wont churn it up (woodchips down on a section for them to scratch in?) then when it is nicer let them on the soil/grass.

Yes I suppose I could I could grass the soil side and put them on the concrete/bark side when the weathers bad and the grass needs to recover.