Growing Guides How to keep chickens

Date Published:

31/01/2008

There are several important decisions to make when you decide to keep poultry - the first one being the number of birds you want to accommodate.

Company

A solitary hen won't be a happy bird, so you should have at least two. Four to six will supply the average family with an ample supply of fresh eggs and the housing needed for this many birds will be suitable for the average back garden. A chicken house approximately 1.2 by 1.8m (6 by 4ft) should be sufficient for this number as long as it is used purely as a sleeping area.

Space requirements

Chickens' housing requirements are quite simple as they will spend most of their time outside, unless they're laying eggs, sleeping or sheltering from bad weather. You can either build your own house from wood or buy a readymade one.

The basic requirements inside are a perch to sleep on and sufficient nesting boxes - at least one per four chickens, as they will take it in turns to lay. You should also consider how easy it will be to clean and how easy it will be to move.

Most people go to work each day which means that for safety and security you may need a run for the birds. The run - and the house itself - should be secure against vermin and predators including foxes, badgers and rats.