Thinking of getting hens.

[veggiechicken]

Did anyone watch Countryfile last night? They ran a feature on bird flu and supposedly all hens even back yard flocks are to be kept undercover in the UK until at the earliest the end of Feb, the punishments they were quoting are quite harsh.

We're all hoping it will be relaxed at the end of February

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ons_91937.html

[Potstubsdustbins]

I think most people new about larger commercial premises but this was the first I had heard about small backyard flocks, SWMBO is quite worried as the council run home she volunteers at has a small flock and at the moment they are more or less free range.

[Darwin.]

It'll be March or even April at this stage before I'd be ready for them anyway. I have to pick a good coop at the right price then sort out fencing for their run. I've settled on chainlink with a run of bull wire top and bottom.

There's a lot going on at the minute around the house so I'll need to wait until some of it is finished. Even if the restrictions are in place at that time, I'll still have good setup in place for when they do arrive.

[Nicos]

Are you having a roof?
Just asking cos foxes can climb over ( and under chain link if it's not fox proofed)
There is a video somewhere...I'll see if I can find it.....

[Darwin.]

5 minutes after I posted that I was offered free chickens. I think it's two hens and a rooster. I dont know what breed but I was told they have feathers all down their legs. I didn't want a rooster but they come as a package. There's a free coop too that can be moved about and it would do until I got a proper setup.

My brother has them so I know they've been kept inside. I can pick them up this weekend if I want.

When I get set up right I'll have a concrete kerb to stop anything getting ina under the fence and the run will be split, the smaller one will be covered on top but the bigger one won't.

[lottie dolly]

YOU LUCKY LITTLE SO & so,i am green with envey now,very pleased for you,it will also be helpefull in sorting up just what sort off set up is right for you,whilst you have some breathing space,all the best.

[Nicos]

That's really fantastic news!

[fishpond]

I am questioning the motive behind giving them away.
Is it genuine goodwill or the noise of the rooster?
Personally, I would be inspecting the coop (in particular for red mite) to ensure there are non present and taking some preventive measures.
Also make sure your garden and you are ready.

Take your time---there is NO rush.

[veggiechicken]

Do you have somewhere undercover to keep them, Darwin, until the restrictions are lifted?

[Darwin.]

My father made the coop, it's box iron, plastic and chainlink wire. Perfect to start out with a very small flock but I'll need something bigger when I get any more chickens.

I'll find out soon enough about the rooster, my brother has had him for six months without killing him so he's hardly that bad. I'll sell him on or give him away if he is. I'll have to find out colour now and see what breed they might be. There's hardly that many with furry legs.

[Darwin.]

The coop has a little run and it's all covered with wire, even the top, so nothing can get in.

[vixylix]

I love the ones with fluffy legs!! We need pics!

[Darwin.]

I'm picking them up at the weekend so I'll have pics up Sunday at the latest. I found out a bit morefrom, its 3 hens and a roosterrooster, two different breeds, better for hatchingthe than laying. Theyre all brown, some speckely.

[veggiechicken]

I don't understand the "Better for hatching than laying"?

Do you know how old they are?

[Darwin.]

I think he means they're broody but not as regular of layers as the red hens. The rooster is probably old enough now,the hens are less than a year I think.