diseases of a few pet hens

[Devil's advocate]

Nephews & niece are going to have 6 hens & keep them in a flod unit/ark/chicken tractor.

The hens will be end of lay from local free range farm

Should I worry about coccidiosis or anything else.

Because they live in a rather smart house, they need a tidy looking ark.

I've offered to pay for a smiths sectional building thickitt house any comments? good design?

Worst thing is too heavy for the kids to move & my brother is a very busy white collar man

 

[beefandsleep]

Smiths sectional houses are very well built and will last. The lady in the video is a very good friend and will sort you out with exactly the right thing if you tell her your requirements. I think the thicket is their best seller and you can get it with wheels if necessary.

 

[beefandsleep]

Just to add, if they are ex commercial birds they will have been vaccinated for any common diseases so you will probably just have to worry about worming them occasionally. If you give them fresh ground regularly probably not even that. I get a few now and then and they will lay well for at least a year, maybe two.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Smiths sectional houses are very well built and will last. The lady in the video is a very good friend and will sort you out with exactly the right thing if you tell her your requirements. I think the thicket is their best seller and you can get it with wheels if necessary.

Yes just found the mini thickitt with wheels, perfect for the job. Two acres of garden so plenty of fresh ground.

The eldest is 12, one 6 & youngest 4 so they could well get good use out of it for 14 years.

The 12 year old is a really lovely lad & has wanted hens for two years now, sister in law does not like animals but having watched Sarah Beeny has relented, My Brother had hens & ducks when he was growing up so he has always wanted the kids to have hens.

Great way for kids to have responsbility, keep records do costing etc, especially when Uncle provides the equipment.

 

[Werzle]

Keep an eye out for red mite, they will get it at some point . Looks like reddish sand in the gaps/cracks at the end of the perches in the daytime, once the chickens go to roost they crawl out and up the chickens legs

 

[steveR]

Keep an eye out for red mite, they will get it at some point . Looks like reddish sand in the gaps/cracks at the end of the perches in the daytime, once the chickens go to roost they crawl out and up the chickens legs

Creosote the housing internally will sort an infestation, but no poultry in for a while after... However, I have found power washing to work.

Ideally, poultry houses should be made from a Stokboard type product!!

 

[Devil's advocate]

Creosote the housing internally will sort an infestation, but no poultry in for a while after... However, I have found power washing to work.

Ideally, poultry houses should be made from a Stokboard type product!!

Solway do poultry houses.

Whilst better than the ownlet things, I'm not convinced.

But hygeine & longevity wise plastic has a lot going for it.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Creosote the housing internally will sort an infestation, but no poultry in for a while after... However, I have found power washing to work.

Ideally, poultry houses should be made from a Stokboard type product!!

Thanks, the hens will be having the odd holiday with me, good chance for my Brother to sterilise the coop or even cresote.

 

[steveR]

Thanks, the hens will be having the odd holiday with me, good chance for my Brother to sterilise the coop or even cresote.

Perfect.

The old gas bombs used in grain stores worked.... once upon a time!

 

[steveR]

Solway do poultry houses.

Whilst better than the ownlet things, I'm not convinced.

But hygeine & longevity wise plastic has a lot going for it.

Had to have a look... Not the most attractive houses, I agree.

Plastic Hen Houses For Sale | Plastic Chicken Coops Scotland

Hen Houses built and manufactured in Scotland UK wide next day delivery available

www.solwayrecycling.co.uk