New guy from Yorkshire, England

[canon can]

Hi All,
I have just signed up on this forum as I have found so much valuble information on it. I have never kept chickens before.
My plans are to build a 5'X5' shed with a height of 5' at front and 4' at back approximatley 12" off the ground. 4 nesting boxes and an outside run of 20'X12'. With wire mesh up to about 5' high.
We wish to keep about 4 to 6 chickens to begin with with room to expand up to a maximum of 12.
We are well fenced in with a six foot fence all the way around our garden so nothing can get in or out.
Part of the run will be under the fir trees where the ground is normally very dry, so plenty of space for scratching around in the dust. The chickens will have full run of the gardens when we are at home.
That is are plans. Can any one see any problems with these plans? such as, are the fir trees harmful to the chickens? Do we need a top on the outside run?
Do the chickens need locking up at night or do they just go into the house to roost when they are ready?I am thinking if we are away for the weekend or so.
I can not think of any other questions at the moment, so I would like to thank you an advance of your answers.

Canon can (and will)

 

[AussieSharon]

G'day and welcome! What you have planned sounds great. I'd think about predators as far as do you need a top on your run. Birds, neighborhood cats etc. For me personally I like to lock my chooks up at night just so I can sleep well knowing they are safe.

What breeds are you planning to get? This is a great site full of wonderful members and info. I'm sure you'll find all the help here you need.

Sharon ( who's Mum and Grandparents were born in Oldham )

 

[suenrob]

First of all,

Sounds like a good start, but be warned, chickens are more addictive than potatoe chips, so what ever number you have set in your head, just beware that you will end up with 10 times that many so get ready to expand!!!!!

Chickens do need to be locked up at night to keep predators out, especially if you are going to be away.

Even though you are well fenced, many predators can climb or fly

Read all you can, and ask lots of question, there is a wealth of knowledge in here!!!!

and again,

 

[Lunachick]

Welcome to BYC Canon can!

 

[sundance]

Welcome to BYC, what ever you need to know about chickens ( or most anything else) you will find on BYC, that's what makes us such a great family. I do lock my ladies in the coop at night and I always tell them GOODNIGHT GIRLS. The other night we stopped by the coop and my DH got out of the car to shut the door and i call out be sure to tell them goodnight, I got a STRANGE look but he did,Shows he's well trained after almost 55 years.

marrie

 

[Parson's Wife]

Lots of info here. Good folk to know. There's a link in here somewhere about types of trees and shrubs that are poisonous to poultry...I don't know how to link it...I will try to send it thru the post screen.

 

[horsejody]

Welcome! I have spent some time in Yorkshire. It's beautiful there.

 

[Moonwalker]

someone wrote:
..."chickens are more addictive than potatoe chips,"

He's from England! You just told him they were like french fries! Should have said potato CRISPS!
Oh wait, fries can be addictive too, never mind!

LOL!
Welcome to the crazy world of BYC!! Lots of good advice and information, as well as TONS of fun.

 

[canon can]

Mornin all,

Well I am amazed on how many of you have replied, thank you all. It is strange how there is a huge pond between the UK and the USA, we speak the same language but often the meanings are different and that includes spellings.....well that is my excuse!
It is like French fries, here in the UK they are often classed as posh, thin, goes cold quickly poor excuse for a chip!.
We call them "CHIPS" made from a good potatoe, cut to the length of the potatoe and sliced to a minimum of half inch square. Cooked in very hot beef dripping untill golden brown. They stay hoter longer and taste .....well like chips should do! The secret is not to eat them every day, beef dripping is not that bad for you, we may have them once a week. Beef dripping is much better for your fryer also, as vegatable oil goes real claggy and ruins your fryer.
Any way chickens!...chips go well with chicken of cause!
I see by the forum, one or two people have made pigglet feeders. I like the idea, do the chickens know when to stop eating or do the just eat & eat like dogs? and if so how do you get around it?
Horsejody...where in Yorkshire did you spend your time?
AussieSharon ...was it Oldham UK where your Mum and Grandparents are from? If so it is about 75 minutes from us!

Well thats all from me for the moment
Canon can (and does)