Wanted Please - Harrogate / York / Leeds area

[nuggets]

Hello you lovely people,

 

after much reading and discussing with hubby (ok, desperately trying to convince him that it's a good idea and him realising that if I want to do something I'm going to do it with or without his blessing) I have decided to get 3 hens.

I'm looking at either Pepperpots or Gingernut Ranger P.O.L pullets.

 

I like the idea of the off the floor type hen house with a large run attached that can be moved around. We're lucky to have quite a large garden, do hens like to be in the sun or the shade? Are wooden hen houses more prone to infestation?

We have 2 kids age 13 and 7 who are very excited about it all and are already choosing names. We've recently started growing our own veg and salad which the kids are enjoying getting involved with.

We also have 2 20 year old cats, Dennis & Maureen who I'm sure will be intrigued with the whole business.

 

So, Any advice you could give me would be gratefully received, I don't want to buy anything until I'm absolutely certain about what I'm doing so please impart your wealth of knowledge

Thanks in advance

...Linda xx

[ISCA]

Hello Linda and welcome.

 

I am new to chicken keeping myself...with a grand total of 7 hous experience so far

 

I chose a wooden coop and run as I wanted a traditional look in my garden. There are advantages and disadvantages to both wood and plastic houses. Many on here have plastic, but no suprises there as this is the Omlet forum

 

I got my coop from woodenart.org.uk and it is fantastic. Worth a look. Most of their coops are elevated and I prefer that style myself. There are many good chicken house builders out there and even more who sell cheap imported coops that will not last, so do look around and get advice before you buy. Preparation is essential!

 

There are some pics of ny new coop on here if you wish to look.

 

Good luck!

[nuggets]

Thanks for your reply ISCA,

 

I've seen a few second hand coops advertised but I'm worried that they may have lice, mites etc

Thanks for that link, I'll take a good look.

 

I think I'll go to the Otley Show which is on 22 May and speak to some of the poultry showers etc about local breeders, suppliers etc too.

...Linda xx

[Gelbel]

I'd be more inclined to go for a spanking brand new one - just incase anything nasty is lurking about. I've got a wooden coop and run with an attached WIR. The coop is over the run - I did not want to be bending down cleaning the house out.

 

If you are in and around Otley then Storrs Poultry is not too far - just beware of that last mile. Their set up is very good and their chooks very healthy.

 

Jodie at Rawgreen cottages has good chooks too.

[BERTIE MCSQUIRTY]

it seems like 2 minutes ago since i posed the same question.

 

i have 2 coops, a wooden one and an eglu classic. the wooden one i made myself which was really easy to do but did take me 6 weeks to complete.

 

the wooden one houses 6 birds, and is very heavy to move around and has sat in situe in the same spot for 2 years. cleaning it is time consuming and i do not always get right into the nooks and crannies, however the birds have been happy in there.

theres always maintainance to consider too - painting / varnishing etc

both mine are off the floor.

 

the eglu can be moved around, however it still is a strain on the back when you have the run attached. it now sits in the home made run in the garden where access is much easier for me. cleaning it out is so much easier too, 5 mins on the pressure washer once a week and its like new. and the tray at the back for emptying the poop can be lined with newspaper. for me, i think that the ideal thing would be to put it on wheels if you want it more mobile

 

i have also seen a cube which would be the ideal height for me, though i would find it easier if it were inside a run.

[nuggets]

Thanks for your replies,

we've been away for the weekend and have returned more determined to get some chickens, even hubby seems to be quite excited about the prospect now!

...Linda xx