too much research into houses, now i'm all of a muddle

[Charliepw]

I want chickens, and i've finally persuaded DH.
I would prob want 3 chickens (though the room to expand might be good), as there are four of us in the family, but DH doesn't really eat eggs.

i like the really basic eglu (the new one) but, they are a bit pricey really, but, perhaps they are worth it.

and i kind of like the wooden ones with a raised box and a surrounding run around them, like these ones
www.pandtpoultry.co.uk/product/categoryid/10/productid/1606
though i'd prob get on ebay, cos they seem cheaper

(i would make an extra outer run for them as well, as our garden is more like a field and i think we'd loose them if they were completely free range)

if i was to go for a wooden one, does anyone have any advice on which company, which style etc...
the array is mind boggling.

any things to avoid?

any info very much appreciated.

I read that red mites are more difficult to eradicate in wooden housing. You will still get the mites in eglus and cubes but you can jet wash them and treat easier.

I know you wanted advice on which company but thought I share my penny's worth.

thanks Kit,
do you have chickens then?
what housing have you gone for?

Hi, i agree with K1t about the red mites, I have an Eglu & extended run with 3 chooks, it is fab, really easy to look after, fox proof and lasts a lifetime. We are a famiy of 5 & get aprox 16 to 18 eggs a week!!

the one I have just ordered is:

from here

i ordered the William Standard coop with the William Super run for 4 hens.

the run is a little on the small side, but it's okay from Defra's POV, and they will ahve the garden to run in.
(the garden's a bit small to fit in a bigger run)

WRT to red mites- my previous house was wodden and never had any problems.

Every couple of months, douse the chooks at bedtiem with Red Mite Powder (available from most farm/pet supply shops).
make sure it's on the day that you've disinfected the coop and throw some over the inside of the house too.

Disinfect the coop by using jeyes fluid, and clean into the cracks with a stiff brush. then rinse thoroughly. (hosepipe is good)

Really, you just choose what suits you. Hens are generally happy in anything as long as it's draught free, dry and predator proof. I have a wooden house, and have never had red mite. Prevention is better than cure, so lots of mite powder and a yearly coat of creosote has helped. That said, the omlet housing holds it's value well. It just wasn't what I wanted.

don't forget, though that your hens need 1-2 sqm of run EACH.

that means, ideally, 4 hens would have 8 square meters of run

Or the entire garden to re-landscape, eh nickel?

andthey don't touch the weeds - only the grass and the vegetables. [grrrrr]

I love those chicken houses, that you both linked to.
They do seem expensive though.

I really like The Dingle.
www.smithssectionalbuildings.co.uk/go/products/small-poultry-houses/chicken-ark/

In the end due to cost, i bought this one
Ebay Chicken House, though i would have loved that Dingle one (linked above)

once it arrives and is erected, i'll have to sort out where to get my little old chickens from.

it's really quite exciting.

Eglu aren't the only company who sell plastic housing, try www.greenfrogdesigns.co.uk/ or www.solwayrecycling.co.uk/farmers-and-smallholders/eco-poultry-houses.
All good, depending on your budget and requirements.