4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[debbier]

Total newbie here, though I've been avidly reading the forum for a while now.

 

I had this romantic view of a couple of chickens pecking around in my garden, but I'm not too sure that's ideal given the fact that a) my garden has some choice, rare plants in it along with a chicken-tempting veggie plot, and b) my dog would almost certainly consider the hens ao be an irresistibly tasty snack.

 

I've been mulling over some options and wanted to air them really. The easiest option would be to simply get an eglu with an extension, and move it around my lawn. OK, my terrier might bark at them for a while, but she'd hopefully learn not to, in time.

 

I could feasibly get some of the netting + poles to let them on the veggie plot in the winter and also on the s"Ooops, word censored!"py garden bit that we keep for the wildlife/frogs etc. which is unmown in the summr. This would give them a bit of extra space, yet keep them in one place, and away from the pooch. Is this a reasonable idea? And is this sort of system sturdy enough to be (smallish) dog-proof (she doesn't jump too high!)?

 

I have considered a fixed run: some of the ones on here are amazing! However, it's not ideal for me in terms of cost, location and effort. If I get hooked on the chucks maybe that's something to consider, long term.

 

My other option is something like a Forsham Ark with the accomodation above the run. I like that layout but am tending towards an eglu for the easier upkeep.

 

 

Debbie

Many thanks if you've read this far

[Patricia W]

I started out with the idea that I'd move the eglu around the lawn but soon came to the conclusion that a fixed one on wood chips was best - that way you do preserve some lawn rather then have it turned bit by bit into mud!

 

At the moment, mine free range all day every day and everywhere as we've had/got builders and much of the garden has disappeared anyway. I'm slowly rehabilitating sections and making most of these chick proof - tough plants etc. For the rest I've bought some Omlet netting which I'm going to use to section off some for us. Not sure how much yet though!

 

If you look on the small garden thread you might get some ideas from there too

 

Whatever you decide, it's worth it.

 

Tricia

[Plum]

I have a cube but the principals are the same. They are in a fixed spot and over the winter they were on most parts of the garden. I had to sweep soil back off the lawn but they cleared slugs etc from the borders and turned the soil beautiful. Come spring and the bulbs and plants started to come up I gave them the lower half of the garden fenced off with Omlet netting.

 

The top half of the garden is looking great. They cleared the lawn of thatch and moss and its greened up beautifully with no feed. They are keeping their area pretty clear of most things except grass and a few weeds. The trees and bushes are fine though.

 

In winter they were out for a few hours at weekends and rarely in the week. Now they are out for a couple of hours most day. Happy chooks. It can work with a garden but you just need to manage it.

I had romantic notions of them wandering around the plants in summer but they just don't mix.

Can't help with the dog bit.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I could feasibly get some of the netting + poles to let them on the veggie plot in the winter and also on the s"Ooops, word censored!"py garden bit that we keep for the wildlife/frogs etc. which is unmown in the summr. This would give them a bit of extra space, yet keep them in one place, and away from the pooch. Is this a reasonable idea? And is this sort of system sturdy enough to be (smallish) dog-proof (she doesn't jump too high!)?

 

The netting and poles works really well for me. I keep my girls confined to the flowerbeds (no flowers worth anything in there!) and that keeps my lawn safe. My dog can't get through/over the netting (and is scared of the girls in any case so wouldn't want to .

 

The only worry I would have is if you have them on an area which is unmown they will be eating long grass which can cause crop problems (impacted, I think?). You may find you have to mow it a bit.

 

You won't regret choosing an eglu, they're brilliant .

[debbier]

Many thanks for the replies.

 

I was more thinking of putting them on the wildlife-y bit after it's been mown (I'd probably lose the chooks otherwise - it gets so overgrown!). So no worries about them going mad on long grass. It always looks a bit sorry for itself when it's just been cut, before it starts going again. We keep it long for the frogs etc.

 

I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the possibilities, and choices, surrounding housing, runs, bedding etc. at the moment, but think, for me, it may be best to just go for it, with a basic eglu + run + netting and see how I get on.

 

All I have to do then is pick a colour

[Jules.]

Did you know chooks have been known to eat frogs?

[debbier]

No, though wouldn't be surprised, especially with the new froglets as they aren't much of a mouthful. They'd struggle with some of the big ones, mind! (Unlike the heron...)

[Alma]

Hi,

 

Yes one of mine has eaten 3 frogs this week. One of them was a big one !!

 

She went into a panic when the other one tried to steal it from her, and swallowed it down in one go!!

 

I'll never forget her bulging eyes and the noise which seemed to say,

 

'What have I done !!??'

 

They are so amusing.

 

Alma

[Plum]

Mine were interested in a frog, then it jumped and they ran to a corner in alarm. Silly girls.