Poultry Houses

PurpleDragon · Poultry Houses

A pal of mine is looking to go into making poultry houses, and she wants to know what is the main criteria for poultry keepers?

What is most important to you when buying a henhouse?
What puts you off?
What feature does *your* house have that is indespensible?

Cockadoodledoo

I always make my own, and I think the most important thing to remember is easy access for cleaning on a freezing cold winter's day. It is O.K. making houses on a nice summer's day but things are different in the middle of winter

lachlanandmarcus

Onduline roofs rather than roofing felt, is better for keeping red spider mite at bay.

ability to get the eggs out if not laid in the nesting boxes, also access for cleaning!

and realistic assessment of how many hens it will cater for. lots of ads seem to base numbers on a battery or not much better standard, bit like canal boats for holidays!

Diana

I made mine raised - it's legs are about a foot long. This means rats can't nest under the floor and it also provides dry soil for dust baths, even if it's been raining.

Also agree with the cleaning comments above.

Martin

proper perches - ideally 2" square timber, with the edges rounded off - never make them "roost" on the floor.......
Also, from bitter experience, don't just have slats underneath the sleeping quarters - I once had a fox get underneath, and pull the chooks legs down through the slats, and eat them leaving me with a henhouse full of live but literally legless chooks..........

Smooth Hound

if its a moveable one it needs to be light enough for 2 people to lift

Forget-me-Not · Hen Houses

I love that hen house on stilts idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's brilliant!!!

Ours is a recycled dog kennel bought as part of house sale but planning to replace before winter. Will be speaking to OH about stilts now

Beth

Diana

Photo for ref:
http://thenewshed.wordpress.com/2007/04/01/chicken-coop-the-final-run/

PurpleDragon

These tips are fabulous folks - thanks so much

Forget-me-Not · Hen Houses

Thanks for the pics. Such a good idea. Will be showing OH for future house discussions.

Beth

Dale

Hi just had one made last week. Mark Patterson out by Turriff.
6 ft x 4 ft x 4ft with floor and egg bit for £190.

very happy and he delivered it too. The whole of one side comes off for easy cleaning

Poultry Houses

Hen Houses

Hen Houses