Filed under: Uncategorized
Well, since i last wrote, i have managed to get a new job which has me out of the house at early doors and then back in the house just as it is getting dark (around 5pm) at the moment. Still, this does mean that i have to get all my chores with the hens etc doen and dusted by about 7am, so even the hens are yawning when i get them up!
The cold snap has taken its toll on the hens, as even though the food inputs are the same, they are obviously burning more calories to try and keep warm as the egg prduction has dropped to around half a dozen a week, which is bad realy when you think a few weeks ago, even in this shortened daylight, i was getting around a dozen a week.
Still, Ellie (rescued battery hen) is still turning them out, you can always spot hers, they are very large and unusual shapes – wrinkled and the like, which is quite common in old hens. She must be puching 6 years old now and last year was still putting out around 200 eggs in a year, which for that old bird is very very good. I wouldnt be surprised if we lose her this year in a really cold snap, but lets not wish her away just yet!
We took delivery today of three new birds – a breeding trio of Pekin Bantams. The young cockerel is lavender, the two hens are Black and Silver respectivly. My daughter has great ideas of being the Pekin Bantam mogul of England, but i doubt we will get many from these birds!
We saw them advertosed on “Freecycle” – free to good home, so we thought why not? They are in a brrody coop at the moment, which has plenty of housing room, but the run isnt that long. It is only 2 foot long which is fine for a broody, as she will stay in the nest box all day and only come out to use the loo, but for a trio we really need to make it larger.
So, designs are afoot for chickenopolis 2. we figure that the bantams dont need the 4′ high run that the others have, so i will probably give them a large pen, low level – about 18″ high – with a hous on the top, with access to the run via a ramp. I have been to a couple of poultry suppliers and seen the general idea for the run, so i will get some bits of timber together and make one.
the cost of the ones in the shops are around £299, and yet i managed to build the one the hens are in currently for only £85 so i am sure i can manage to under cut them again!!!
I will ensure that all the timbers are pressure treated, and that the wire will have to be no greater than 1″ mesh otherwise they will get their heads stuck! So if you factor in the cost of the wire, you will probably find i can make the run and housing for about £100 all in.
Until i post again !
Picture of the two girls
The Pekin Bantam Cockerel
Leave a Comment so far
Leave a comment
Meekle's Blog - An Insight into Downsizing 