Getting hens for the back garden; any hints?

the_syco

If anyone is planning on making a coop, ensure that you can access the inside of the henhouse from outside the coop. It makes life a lot handier!


Since last picture, we moved the henhouse over to the right, so it's next to the side. It also allows us to open the door of the henhouse without having to enter the coop. We're thinking of putting a pulley system in place to make it easier to do so.

We also hang cabbage/cauliflower/broccoli off a wire to let the hens peck at it. The green rectangular feeder to the right is for their morning and evening feed. The stuff in the white bowl near the front is grit. The stick is there so the hens can walk up it, as the hens like chillin on top of the roof in the sun.


We then installed a door on that side.


This allows us to open the side flap easily, and collect eggs without having to enter the coop (great when it's wet and muddy). It also allows us to clean the henhouse easier.


The feeder and the watering thing are both hanging off wood the top, so the hens can't poop into them. Put a flower pot base over the feed to keep it dry.

aonb

Excellent improvements! Thanks for the photos/ideas
I like the flower pot 'lid' to keep the food dry - v.clever
Its funny how many changes/improvements etc that you come up with after you have your set-up going for a little while.
Do you have a dust bath? Always a good addition, and keeps them happy for hours