Unsecure chicken perches

[wee_deec]

Hi,

 

I have been thinking about taking up garden chicken keeping! I have finally got my allotment and all I need to do now is convince the Council to allow poultry (they don't currently, even though the Allotment [scotland] Act stipulates poultry is permitted!).

 

Anyway, finance wise, I think I can only afford a Go at the moment (with 3m run). I have some looking about and would like some advice on keeping one of each of the following:

 

Blue Ranger

Araucana (Collonca)

Cream Legbar

Speckledy

 

Can people help me with some info / advice or point me in the direction of good websites?

 

What I really want to know is:

Will one of each breed get on ok?

Can the Go (3m run) take all 4 hens?

Are any of the above breeds available as Bantams (forgive me if they already are!)

Can I extend the Go run with more 1m run extensions?

 

Oh and lastly, I plan on going to the Scottish National tomorrow (Sat)! Very excited!!

 

Thanks,

Derek

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Congratulations on getting your allotment .

 

As far as I know, mixed breeds generally get on fine as long as they're roughly the same size. I've no experience of Blue Rangers or Araucanas but have had the other 2, both lovely girls. My Columbine (Cream Legbar hybrid laid ).

 

I've found that even though you decide what breeds you want, your options are limited to what's available! I've used George Ogilvie at Ballencrieff Mains Farm in Longniddry (nr Edinburgh) and Paula's Poultry in Jedburgh has a good name. R & A Lovett - Muirfield Hatchery nr Glasgow is an approved seller of Black Rocks .

 

A 3m run is a bit tight for 4 hens unless they freerange a lot (which I assume they won't if they're at an allotment - how far away do you live from it?). You can get extensions for the Go though.

 

I'm going to the National too but can only manage the Sunday.

[Redwing]

It depends what you are looking for from your chickens

 

Two of your chosen breeds are hybrids and two are pure breeds. Hybrids lay all year round at least in their first year, they take a short winter break thereafter and will lay quite well for a couple of years living to about four, pure breeds lay reliably for more years live longer but take a winter break. (apologies if you already knew this)

 

Hybrids only come in large fowl size, 3 of these would be ok in an extended Go. Four bantams would be ok in the same space.

 

You can extend the run further but it does become harder to move and harder to clean the longer it gets

 

Only Araucanas on your list are available as bantams

 

Consider the security risk of having a valuable coop and chickens at an allotment site too

 

I will be at the show tomorrow, I am driving up to Scotland today

[sparkysmum]

Hi Derek,

Great that you have finally got your allotment Re your proposed chickens. I have no experience of the hens you mention, except for araucanas. However I would say that mine would not take at all well to being confined in a run for much of the day. Araucanas like to free range.

I'm not sure that the go run is big enough for 4 hens In fact I think that hens can exhibit quite naughty behaviour if confined in too small a space. Sorry Derek, I know it sounds like I'm throwing cold water on your plans. Would it be possible for you to maybe negotiate an area which you could fence off for your ladies That way your Go run + fenced in area would be fine.

Enjoy the show. We're having to visit elderlies Alli x

[Cranberry]

I keep Araucarna they hate being cooped up, mine go mad in a large run when I'm isolating for breeding. Fab birds but I would definitely omit them from a run. The cream legbar will lay coloured eggs any way. Marrans are lazy birds so they should happily go in the run. I also would be worried about security at the allotment. My hose connection got stolen at mine. I carry a few hens to my kitchen garden when I will be there all day could you do something similar? Good luck with it all.

[wee_deec]

Hi,

 

Thanks for all your advice so far. I am quite new to all this so any advice is great!

 

The plan is to start off with the Go and 3m run, possibly with an extra 1m extension for about 1 year, then develop a small pen for them to free range in. Space will always be an issue cos I need to make sure that 3/4 of my allotment is for growing...

 

Hopefully at the National tomorrow I will be able to see more breeds of hen, but I do really like the 4 above...

 

Thanks,

Derek

[wee_deec]

Can anyone else give advice? I went to the Scottish National today - was quite good. Disappointed that there wasnt more variety....

 

I never really saw any of the types I mentioned above...

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Like I said, you really just have to go with what's available locally, however much you've set your heart on a particular breed .

[Redwing]

There were Araucanas there. Cream Legbars aren't very popular show chickens

 

The other two on your list are hybrids so wouldn't be seen at a poultry show unless there was a class for hybrids or pet hens (rarely)

[wee_deec]

Yeah I saw Lavender Araucanas - looked really nice.

 

And it was the first time I saw Indian Runner Ducks in person - very cute!

 

Yeah sorry, I was more just looking for more advice from people who have / had these breeds. Also, as I am still trying to get my head around all thge different variations in breeds (pure, hybrid, bantam etc) I thought it would be best to ask!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

You've certainly come to the right place to ask . Not me though, I haven't a scooby .

 

Hope you manage to find the girls you're after .