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@Calli

Joined: 03 Jul 2005
Posts: 1682
Location: Galway

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 06 2:21 pm Post subject:
Okay you win this round hands down!! So if each shed has four hens - isn't that a bit cruel on the tethered boys!

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 06 2:37 pm Post subject:
They haven't said anything ! The tethers mean that I can keep more male birds without them knocking the bejeebers out of each other. The cocks are rotated regularly so that they don't get them bored. Its as close to free range as I can get. They get fit by jumping on and off the Arks and have access to fresh green grass. They really do well and blossom !

@Calli

Joined: 03 Jul 2005
Posts: 1682
Location: Galway

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 06 2:42 pm Post subject:
Hens all around but can't get at them Bungee rope tethers?

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 06 3:05 pm Post subject:
great pics, lucky hens

hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 10:08 am Post subject:

If your runs aren't going to be as high as the door you could use scaffolding brick guards which cost about £2 each. My uncle has been using them for his chickens after a spate of super strength fox getting through his mesh.

They're heavy duty mesh panels which measure about 4ft x 2 1/2ft. The gap is about 1 1/2" there are 3 spikes of metal that is meat to be bent over the top of the scaff - but if you turn them up side down you poke this bit into theground. You either lace them together with wire or my uncle has used chunky cable ties. You can set them out in any configuration and you don't have to build a thing - chicken mechano!

The cost might work out more than buikding your own but they last forever, can be used for anything & are easy to store.

just a thought

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 12:39 pm Post subject:

Hils
I've got some lengths of reclaimed 2" x3" timber that I'm going to use. The runs will be about 8ft long by 4ft wide. Height wise they will come up to just beneath the little window that you can see on the coop.
The runs will be covered with chicken netting. The roof and one side that faces the prevailing wind and weather will then have heavy duty polythene fixed to it.
All our fields have mains electicity electric fencing around them and each one of the coops and runs will have its own defences .

hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 12:43 pm Post subject:
OOh that sounds fab - was just trying to spread the word about these panels! because I think they're wasted on scaf! When I get chickens again can you come & do mine please? Pics look like Chicken paradise not Chickenopolis

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 12:55 pm Post subject:
I like the sound of the panels Hils, do you know where I would buy some? I'm guessing I can just pick some up from b&q

hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 12:59 pm Post subject:
Maybe B&Q but not looked - usually a builders merchants. Will have a look in B&Q later when I go & let you know. H

@Calli

Joined: 03 Jul 2005
Posts: 1682
Location: Galway

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 1:08 pm Post subject:
And for dog runs: the security panels you see on building sites! Dirt cheap and galvanised steel - piccies soon.

hils

Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 568
Location: Nottingham

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 4:42 pm Post subject:
Think they're called Herras fencing...?

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 5:30 pm Post subject:
Bodger why don't you put them on wheels? Be a lot easier to move. When I was a kid all the hen houses had cast iron wheels.

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 6:24 pm Post subject:

Calli wrote:

And for dog runs: the security panels you see on building sites! Dirt cheap and galvanised steel - piccies soon.

i thought of those when Iw as buiilding my chicken enclosure

but had no way of getting any home

@Calli

Joined: 03 Jul 2005
Posts: 1682
Location: Galway

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 7:06 pm Post subject:
Ah well 2 steps - this being ireland they tied them on top of an ancient van with baler twine and toddled down to us. Bearing in mind delivery boys way past retirement - great service! As I said piccies to follow.......

2steps

Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 5349
Location: Surrey

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 06 8:32 pm Post subject:
I need a van

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