Newbie questions; When to feed etc

[frankenfanny]

We just got 3 hens they have a wooden hut to live in and a fixed enclosure around. My DP has arranged this as a hobby to do with my DD so I have had nothing to do with it so far, though I am sure I am getting sucked in. DP says they get fed every morning and a little tonight in their hut just to settle them in, but my DD says her book tells you to feed them in the evening. Which is best?

Also the ground of the enclosure is muddy with some grass, don't they need bushes and dust areas?

I am also worried as we get foxes in the gardens around here and although there is 6ft fencing and wire around the enclosure the roof is only gardening netting. Is this enough?

Feed pellets in the morning and then give them a scratch feed (corn) in the afternoon. They prefer corn to pellets but it is not as nutritionally valuable. I only give mine another feed in the evening if it's very cold.

Will need a dustbath. When the ground dries out, they will make one. Or you can make one for them - try soft play sand.

They don't need bushes/shrubs but they do like them.

6ft fence should be enough but foxes can dig under fences.

mine have free access to layers pellets all day and corn scratch feed inthe afternoon. they also have some veg peelings etc.
ours have a holly bush that they love to congregate under and they have made a dust bath there too.
we have 11 girls currently and the children love them - very easy to get hooked!

Thanks folks.

He has been out today and put down some pea gravel in the muddy bits, and made a covered dust bath area. They came out today and made themselves at home. The kids got camping chairs out and sat and watched them all afternoon! The chooks seemed to know when to go in at bedtime as well.

Not got corn feed yet- but soon.

Thank you all again.

They need free access to layers pellets at all times during their time out of their 'bedroom'. Water too - they often drink a lot. Only give a small handful of corn as a scratch feed later in the day or you'll have fat non-layers.

Don't put food inside thehouse, it'll attract rodents and water will make it too humid in there.

Enjoy!