Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[joza2210]

when i get hens and maybe a rooster i have quite a large shed i am moving every thing out of it and putting straw at the bottom and going to put plat pots in there to will this be ok and then let them out every weekend

[Egluntyne]

I would use **Aubiose** rather than straw as it composts very easily, and the hens can scratch around in it more easily than in straw, which can harbour parasites, and wrap itself around the hens ankles.

 

You will have to take precautions against redmite as a wooden shed will provide the perfect hiding places for them in the day.

 

What about light? Will the hens have enough?

[Janty]

I wouldn't think that they would be alright in a shed all week.

Is there any way you can add even a small run so that they get access to the outside?

[chickenanne]

I think they'd be much happier with a run, if at all possible - fine to let them roost in teh shed (add roosting bars, ventilation, and nest boxes, and be very careful of red mite) but adding a run would be so much better.

[cluckbok]

I agree with the other omleteers, could you not cut out a chicken flap in the shed door and attach a run to the shed so they can come and go as they please? Chickens do love to scratch around outside in the fresh air. You would want a run made of very strong weldmesh though to keep foxes out, preferably one with a skirt on the bottom or something similar to stop animals digging underneath.