what do you think?

[chickenlickin]

Finally made the jump and bought a hen house today (see link). Would like maybe to get Maran, legbar (for blue eggs!) and maybe a orpington. Do you think three will be ok in this house (says 3-5). But also do any of you have experience in these breeds? Will they get on? xx

www.henhouseworld.co.uk/ch101.htm

Hi chickenlickin ... well done with buying your house! The real reservation I'd have is that it has an asphalt roof - these are lethal for redmite. You'll have to be really on the ball with your redmite treatments and big cleans - or, if you or DH are good at DIY, could you change the roofing material - there's something beginning with O (opupine or something) - the name escapes me. Sorry to start of on a negative!

Okay, I've got one Orpington (have 3 in total), she's my favourite - a big cuddly thing! Will your girls be able to free-range or within a run or will they be limited to the run which comes with the house? Your run size will really dictate how many chickens you can get - the recommendation is 1 sq metre min per chicken.

I haven't been at this for long so hopefully someone else will come along and give their tuppence-worth too!

Happy chicken hunting!

lethal for redmite! what she means is that you get loads of redmite with an asphalt roof.

It's Onduline that you use for the roof- it's like corrguated iron but plastic.
be careful though, as most keepers use the see-through stuff for their runs, as it means the sun gets in but not the rain. you need opaque stuff for the coop.

be careful with coop sizes too, most manufaturers state say 4-6 chickens, when 3-4 would be more comfortable.

the minimum recommended run is 1sqm per birc, but most keepers agree that 2sqm oer bird is better.

LOL ... I see what you mean Nickel! In our part of the country, to say it's lethal in that sense means it's really good - I know, doesn't make sense! . Thanks for clarifying!! Onduline ... I'd taken a blank.

I think an Orpie may be a little squished in there - they are massive!

As the others say it depends on whether you decide to free range them or not. One option is to buy an electric fence to give them more room to roam whilst staying safe from Mr. Fox.

I have something similar in size with 3 hens, but was told Orpy's would be too big for it.

Don't get a felt roof.