NEWBIE - How many Chickens per coop / What's best

[DanAFC]

So I'm going to purchase a coop , looking ideally for 3/4 chickens .... Looked at Silkies (Bantam) but then read they are poor egg layers and the eggs are small ... Want something that's going to provide eggs but at the same time is garden friendly if let out the coop an not going to destroy the garden. I've linked the coop I've been looking at too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271926194575?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121550212927?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

It would be either of the two really ..

 

[0wen]

A word of caution of prefabricated coops - they're usually of terribly quality. Almost all of them look great, but start falling apart within months (if they don't arrive in splinters). I know building something can be a daunting task, and that some people may have no means to do so - but if you have access to tools - or know someone who does, I'd go that route. You may be able to find a retired carpenter or handyman that could build you something of similar size and price - just my recommendation. If you can't build or find a builder, you could look into old toy/tree house conversions like this one. For 3 or 4 chickens, you'd want a coop with around 12 - 16 square feet of floor space.

On gardens, I've never had a problem with my chickens ravaging my garden, but I've heard of a lot of people who have had only a few chickens completely devastate theirs. You can do a search for "chicken tunnels" to use as one option, but I've found that if my chickens have a grassy area to range in, they leave my garden alone for the most part. If you compost, allowing them access to the compost pile would be helpful for your compost as well as their entertainment and nutrition - they seem to enjoy digging around in them looking for treats and such.

That being said, I always see feather-footed breeds of chickens being being advertised as being easier on lawns and gardens (I'm not sure if I believe it, but who knows...) For a good natured bird that is also a good layer - you cannot go wrong with a Barred Plymouth Rock - as ignorant as it sounds, I have no idea of their availability in the U.K because I've never checked. Orpingtons also - maybe anything that isn't a categorized as an aggressive forager really....

 

[DanAFC]

Thanks

I've been looking at Bantam Silkies , Cochins and standard Cochins ... Along with Pekins and Bhahma's .... But obviously only looking for 3/4 MAX!

Just never kept before so wanting good egg layer and something easy look after I guess

 

[DanAFC]

Appears that the Plymouth Rock are avaialble over here in UK , says Large egg layer too ?