Chickens Flock to Sallygardens

Hee Hee. We have chickens again. I'm so happy. I've missed them strutting and clucking around. When our last chicken got snapped up by a fox almost a year ago I knew it was time to reconsider their housing arrangements. So now instead of them living in a barn that opens into the field they are housed in a little custom made chicken coop in the garden close to the house. And rather than having ten or so hens and a rooster I've restrained myself with a generous two isa brown hens, or for their non technical term, two little red hens. They are cheap, cheerful and lay consistenly like no other breed can.

I had the chicken coop made by a local man who knows all about chickens and is also a great carpenter so I'm really delighted with the design, the chunky long lasting materials and the atttention to detail. This house will last a long time and will be easy to clean out and easy to access the eggs from the external nesting box. Oh yes this is a happy household today.

The kids and I can't wait to start collecting the warm eggs from under the hens in the mornings, hearing their clucking at dawn and closing them in safely at night. The girls and I built a mesh run which will keep out the fox and because the coop is on wheels, yes wheels (I told you I loved the design) .... I can easily move it around the lawn without the slightest effort.

If you are venturing into a lifestyle that is gentle on the planet and you've already started growing some of your own fruit and vegetables, then I highly recommend keeping chickens as your next exciting and rewarding step (only if you eat eggs though, of course!). I have written an ebooklet on the subject and it covers everything from keeping a small flock on your smallholding to only two birds in an urban setting (check out ebooklets at the top right hand side of this page). With large feeding and watering systems its easy to leave your birds for a few days at a time too.

Comments

[Jennie]

How fun! That's exactly what I want someday.

[debra]

So glad you have hens again! We have about 10 now, some residing in the retirement home for old hens! We also lost some to foxes a few years ago, 11 in 1 week, and we were fencing them for a while. So far they are ok ranging. Stay tuned.

[Debra]

I have been considering a couple hens. Do you have to have a rooster? I live in the city, so do your neighbors complain? I already grow our fruits, vegetables and herbs and having fresh eggs would be a perfect addition.

[Gardening Birmingham]

I wish i could keep chickens. I live on a large estate and for some reason you aren't allowed to keep chickens, i think it is a ridiculous rule and it dates back to the 1800's

[Liz]

I've lived in Ireland for 5 years now and have always wanted to use my land to create a little bit of the 'good life'. I have been growing veg for a couple of years and have some fruit trees, but this year I have decided to take the plunge!!! I have just got myself an amazing polytunnel and 3 lovely chickens.......... at last I am doing what I really came to Ireland to do!! I came across your website today and just can't stop reading... keep it up it's great!!

[Rebecca]

Hi Debra, no you don't need a rooster, they hens will lay anyway.

If kept in a very dark roost at night they wont make noise until you let them out into the light at a 'sociable' hour!

And hey, Liz, whereabouts in Ireland are you? I have a sallygardens smallholding facebook page you can 'like' for me regular snippets and updates and/or join my smallholding and living lightly facebook group for general chat :)

Rebecca

[ralph lauren pas cher]

finalmente mi sto facendo quello che mi è venuto veramente in Irlanda da fare! Mi sono imbattuto oggi il vostro sito e non riesco a smettere di leggere ... continuate così è fantastico!

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[jordan femme pas cher]

Och hey, Liz, var i Irland är du? Jag har en sallygardens torp facebook sida som du kan "vilja" för mig vanliga strängar och uppdateringar och / eller gå med i min torp och leva lätt facebook-grupp för allmän chat :)

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[Elpetittaller.wordpress.com]

We've got hens too and they're great! for the eggs of course, but they make such lovely pets. We recently saved one from Mr.Fox's mouth...!