Chickens.

Well we are going to be keeping chickens in the garden, i have now read more books on keeping chickens than i care to remember and i think i am more confused now than i was before hand.
I do know that we wont be getting ex battery hens as our first hens.
This is only because we do not want to get put off as i know ex battery birds can be in an awful state, and not really for the beginner to get involved in.
We have been looking at housing for the birds, we like the look of some of these new recycled plastic ones,they offer great  protection against mites.

Recycled plastic hen house.

 we will have to see how much money its all going to cost though, i will probably end up getting the saw and nails out.
Any body got any plans for a chicken coup? ones like these are commonly available and not too expensive, but they will requires treating annually with non toxic treatment, and repairs periodically.

i know my wife has got ideas of which type of hens she wants and i know her and our daughter are going to be in charge of them, so i guess that means i just got to build the hen house. ha we will see!.
I have read that we will have to keep vermin under control , i think we will be ok there as we have two Jack russell terriers, and i have an air rifle if it comes to it.

Both our jack russels come from working stock however, Flynn (above) is a fat and happy house dog who has not got a clue when it comes to hunting, all mouth no trousers.

This is Woody, now he is a real hunter.

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He used to catch the mice that the cat had  let go in the kitchen (like they do) so rat / mouse control will be his job, maybe he will teach Flynn?.

I don't agree with poisons unless there is no other way, the method is indiscriminant and just inhumane in my opinion.

Next to look at will be Fencing for our fine feathered friends run, i'm thinking about electric fencing, good for keeping out the fox, the dogs will help with this too and easy to move about.
Haven't had a chance to check prices yet so i will post these later.