sti chick Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 been looking at this house, just wondering what you guys think? do you think it would be big enough for 6 hens? thanks http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PET-PADS-THE-NORFOLK-CHICKEN-COOP-HEN-HOUSE-POULTRY-ARK_W0QQitemZ320301996586QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320301996586&_trkparms=39%3A2%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchlayer Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Looks good to me. I like the way the house is off the floor, giving you an easy space underneath for some protection from the wind. I think the run will quickly get dirty if you have 6 hens in there on grass, but if you move it about it should be fine. But it's not pink? or purple? or blue? so not sure whether those that have will approve !! Naughty I know. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sti chick Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 thank you for the quick reply Hope this not a silly question but do they have to be on grass? as the area i had in mind for the house is loose dirt in a sheltered area. But i was going to let the girls have a roam in the garden aswell so that they wont miss out on grass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Nice wooden house, you could put lovely gingham curtains in the window! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sti chick Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Nice wooden house, you could put lovely gingham curtains in the window! lol i wouldnt put that past me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 No, they don't have to be kept on grass. Given the choice my chickens choose soil to dig around in. However, you will still have to keep the run clean and reasonably poo free otherewise it could become smelly and unpleasant for them and you. A lot of people keep their chickens in runs on concrete with bedding. Have a look at * this * to give you some ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 the house doesnt have to be on grass either, as even once you have put it on grass it will soon turn to mud anyway. They do like the occasional patch to munch on though when freeranging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowWhite Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I looked at one of these houses before I settled on a cube. Close up these coops are quite small, I wasn't sure that it was suitable. We are going to have 8 hens, I thought this house would suit maybe two or three. But if yours are free ranging you may be OK with this. If you can get to a garden centre/agricultural supplier you may be able to see one close up too - probably the best way to decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Looking at the measurements (13.75 sq feet) I have to agree with SnowWhite that it is a bit small for 6 chickens and would probably be more suitable for 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sti chick Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 thank you for all your advice. You have helped us make up our minds as we wasnt sure whether to buy that house or my husband make one very similar. I will now inform him when he returns from having a pint or two that his carpentry skills are required. Lucky for me he is more than capable of making a nice secure (mr fox proof) house suitable for 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 But it's not pink? or purple? or blue? so not sure whether those that have will approve !! Naughty I know. xx Bit of paint will soon put that right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Hi sti chick, A friend of mine has a very similar, if not identical house & run and it's tiny. Could def only accommodate 3 hens max. I's also not very noise proof and the quaint little windows let in light, wakening up the hens very early in the morning. Not for me I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sti chick Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 Thank you alll thats exactly what i needed to know. I deffo want 6 hens so will not go for that house. Mark has now agreed to build me a bigger house and i will ask him not to put windows in, if you think thats best. I know I'm not getting the chickens until the spring but i really want to be confident in what i'm doing and not get them and try and be a know it all lol. So i will have many more questions on the way, hope you all dont mind. lin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynseymander Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 hiya, just wanna say good luck. my hubby too tried building one and ended up flattening it with a hammer. lol so now we have ordered one from ebay. (item no. 330271652069) one of those but without the run. So he still got to build the run to save a bit of money. it arrives tomorrow, i'm all excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 That looks good, they'll be fine on the earth too. Just maybe make sure the earth isn't too loose for mr f to visit.. That;s a great price too, I saw what I think is exactly the same thing for about £100 more at our local garden centre Just read the other posts after and realised your choice I think homemade version would be more robust compared to that too and better value for money, also you can add your own modifications etc. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Sorry to put a dampener on it but these houses are not particularly sturdy and if kept in a spot where they are exposed to the weather will not last the winter. Check out item number 150298374266 for one that looks a bit more substantial, although I think the run is more suited to 4 rather than 6 birds unless they have some daily free range time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jools+6 Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 we have that house !!! it's going !! shoddy piece of kit . ours free range all day and only sleep in it but it's falling to bits already and it's only 4 months old !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I have windows on my kennels where my chooks are living at themoment. They have outside shutters on hinges that can be closed. I shut them to keep them warm cos it so cold at the moment but last week i had them open so the chooks werent in total darkness before i got up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
