Mollie333 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 (edited) Day one. Working Day two. Working Day three. PICTURE COMING SOON. Edited June 12, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Well I calculate you can have a maximum of 28 more That is some run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 Thanks, do you mean 28 including my girls? or 28 + my 8 girls, 36 girls? Oh i definatly have to get atleast 5 ex batterys then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Mollie - the rule of thumb is 1sqm per chicken. So with a 6m x 6m run you could have 36 hens in total. You could also add levels into the run so that would help them keep out of each others way. All I would say is that just because you could in theory fit that many hens into that space doesn't mean you should. Fewer hens would be happier in there and with less hens there would be less chance of bullying etc. You would have plenty of space for your additional 5 ex-bats. Seems to be progressing quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Looks like it'll be great! Will it have a roof? ... and will it be slabbed (would need 100s of slabs! ) 36 would fit, but less would give them more room Plenty room for 5 ex-batts though Also, if you were going to get more turkeys, they need more space Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 The turkey will free range all day, but put away when we go out. same with the chickens. Its going to have a roof, grass, untill the ruin it and then auboise or hemcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Has your dad got his suitcase unpacked yet. Glad I'm not your parents. Secretly I would love to be your mum Can I adopt you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted June 8, 2010 Author Share Posted June 8, 2010 Sure can! Id have to bring my chooks with me. Oh and my cat! and i cannot forget my rabbit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 I've always wanted a rabbit!!! But I don't mind if you come here too Mollie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 I'd be more inclined to split the WIR into two so you can alternate sides, which will keep the ground in better condition. Also, rather than rushing to get more chickens, maybe think about adding a couple of new birds each year to keep egg supply up. If you start with them all at once, they'll all slow down and then stop laying at the same time. The one bird per square metre isn't compulsory. The more room they have, the better off they will be and the less bullying / illness problems you'll have. Lots to think about, but it does look lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I agree, I wouldn't overstock it. You can give them some perches, raised levels and branches for interest. Because of your fox problem, they will be freeranging much less I imagine, unless you can be out with them, so the more room the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I have just read in 'Chicken breeds and care' by Frances Bassom that large fowl need 10 square metres of run space each. That would mean your massive WIR would only be big enough for 3 or 4 large hens. I'm not sure I agree with the author but certainly I agree that less is more. Fewer hens in a space will be much happier. I'd stick with just adding your 5 lovely ex-bats for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted June 10, 2010 Author Share Posted June 10, 2010 . I don't keep LF, only two medium sized Warrens, the rest are banties. peggy died 8th of june.. the rabbits, 8 year old lucky abbie (who was once in a foxes mouth!!)) and lucy stayed in the house all day, they was almost in shock.. anyways I want some ex battery hens (about 4-5) then hatching some chicks when the runs finished! my mum FINALLY agreed! i have homes for the cockerels, but HAVE to keep a hen. if im lucky enough to get one. . What breed shall i hatch? (simple breeds first i guess? id like to try pekins.) Quick update anyways. I saw a fox walking home from school, on the field near my house. I quickly ran home and locked the girls in, my black silkie pat wouldnt go in, i walked round to see how the progress is going (on the wir), came back and there was feathers everywhere! i thought the fox had been. But turns out she was just moulting . Thank god. Oh, and for you keen readers, heres the run SO FAR. wow thats going to take some wire, anyone know any one that sells it, thick stuff with little holes suitible? also adding a roof! let me know if you can see the picture.. by the way, its the wrong way round cause of photobucket not letting me edit it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Couldn't see your photo Glad the fox wasn't headed for your place. How about some autosexing breeds. Then at least you know which ones you get to keep straight away? Sounds as though you have lovely parents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted June 10, 2010 Author Share Posted June 10, 2010 Yep. What breeds are autosexing? i know about the colouring blah blah, but i mean the actuall breeds which are auto sexed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 You need to pick up the img code here you are Lot of work there from your Dad It's going to be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Looks good Could try Hills of Devon for weldmesh 19 gauge weldmesh is probably what you want - don't go for cheaper chicken wire 'cos a fox will just bite through it. Autosexing breeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted June 11, 2010 Author Share Posted June 11, 2010 Thats what i said to my dad. about the fox will bite through it, Thanks for the list. Thanks for that, Plum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted June 12, 2010 Author Share Posted June 12, 2010 NEW update! Well last night my dad finished the base of the WIR, including the door. Now putting wire on. pictures soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
