New to chickens!

[AlwaysLatte]

We've decided to keep a few chickens. The area we'd like to keep them in is beside a stream, about 70m squared, obviously with a hen house for the night, but during the day they'll roam about. There is fencing all around, the lowest part is about 4ft. Does this sound ok? Are they likely to launch themselves into the stream or avoid it? We could fence it so that they can't get to the water or the lower part of the fence (the rest of the fencing is 6ft) but ideally it would be nice to keep it open snd natural if possible. We're also planning to plant some weeping willows along the river bank which hopefully wouldn't be poisonous to chickens??

[AlwaysLatte]

I meant to say, how high can chickens fly? Would 4ft be too low?

[Calmyertits]

They cant fly as such but can flap up to about 6ft. I keep silkies because theyre bottom heavy and mostly fluff so aren't great at it. Pekins can go up from sitting which is why we didnt get any. FIL frequently found his on top of his shed. And theyre not that bright so wouldn't trust them to take a dive. All birds are locked down currently because of avian flu so need to be in a completely covered run for the foreseeable future

[landofgiants]

4ft would be fine for most chickens. If you have escape artists (I've had the most trouble with youngsters), then you can clip their wings. This involves cutting the primary flight feathers from one wing to reduce their flying ability and is pretty simple to do. Most chickens are not great at flying, but mine like to climb trees, so bear this in mind if there are trees next to the fence.

As PP says, check out the current bird flu regulations (assuming you are in the UK). Chickens currently need to be kept indoors or in a covered enclosure to prevent contact with wild birds, especially waterfowl. Might be worth waiting until restrictions are eased before getting your hens.

[Whatthechicken]

One of my chickens ended up in our pond...she’s the brightest of the bunch too. I think she thought the greenery in the pond was grass. I found her just in time, she could touch the bottom but she was cold and waterlogged and couldn’t get out. After an hour in a towel and under a hair dryer she was fine. But they sometimes do get themselves into bother.

[AlwaysLatte]

Thank you for your replies, we have bought an enclosure 3.5m x 3.5m which will have a covered part and a hen house. Because just now they have to be enclosed as the helpful PP mentioned. They can come out once restrictions lifted. Next question please... we'd like to get rescue hens, any tips? And cockerels... presumably just one?

[AlwaysLatte]

Also, how many for the enclosure? Is 4 too many? They can have a bigger area once the rules change and they can roam, but for now they will be in this restricted area.

[DobbyTheHouseElk]

Chickens near a stream=rats.

[Whatthechicken]

You can get rescue hens from BHWT - but right now they are not rehoming because of lockdown and avian flu, you will be able to get your name down though - they are keen to crack on so as soon as they are able they’ll be back on.

You don’t need a cockerel, unless you want chicks? But then you’ll either have to dispatch or rehome because some will be cocks.

[lunar1]

Put something solid under the enclosure so nothing can dig it's way in. You are in a prime spot for rats. I have wire mesh under mine and chips on top.

I'd also do them a makeshift dust bath using a cat litter tray until they can go out.

4ft should be ok. I have one who likes to fly-she has got up on the fence a couple of times, but honestly when they are secure in their environment they don't go anywhere. The window cleaner left my gates open for 5 hours once and they were still all there when I got home.

[Whatthechicken]

That size of run will be fine for 4, just look into some enrichment stuff for them. Make sure the coop is big enough though, some manufactures are a little tight on space. I’ve got 4, coop is for 6.

[lunar1]

With the coop size, you shouldn't go to big either. They will get too cold in winter if it's significantly bigger than they need.

Also be wary of some of the fancy ones, you need to be able to reach in to get a sick bird out. Some manufacturers forget this!

[AllownotEllow]

BHWT aren't currently rehoming but Fresh Start For Hens are. You can join their Facebook page to see if there are any collection points in your area coming up, and there is also a Facebook group with fellow hen owners sharing tips and stories.

[AlwaysLatte]

Thanks everyone, sorry I've just seen these replies, they didn't come through to my emails. We've got our run up now, with the hen house inside, and have decided to go for chicks (a teacher friend has some that are in a hatchery at her primary school). So it will be a while before they are outside.
Quick question about dust baths please... we have an old tin baby bath that we found in the field. Do you think this would be OK, or too high for them? (obviously while they are chicks we'll use something very low).

[AlwaysLatte]

(NB thanks for the thoughts about the stream location. We decided due to the water (we've had mink there) and the possibility of rats too, that it wasn't the best location. We've put the run in our small orchard which has good high fencing around so if and when they can come out of their run they will have a much bigger space, also it's nearer the house and lighting so we can keep an eye on foxes on the CCTV too.