Hens smallish back garden.

Nutty Nutritionist

We live in a small cul de sac with other houses but beside a field with only a ditch separating us. We are considering getting 3 hens but are concerned that once we let the hens out to roam the garden that they may do the following:

Destroy raised beds
Peck polytunnel plastic
Wander across the ditch into the field (not owned by us)
Head out the front and on to the road.

I have no experience with hens so would like to be sure they are for us before getting. Any feedback would be great.

Mattdhg

I wouldn't get hens unless you have a fenced enclosure for them, otherwise a dog or a fox will probably get them. seems like fencing them in will fix your other problems too

Nutty Nutritionist

We would have a coop and was looking at a 2mx3m run. It’s a bit small to leave 3 hens in all day. So am concerned about letting them out for a roam. My brother also tells me they can really smell.

Just am being hesitant as don’t want to get some and then have to find them a new home if it doesn’t work out.

amytomjerry

Hello..

I have 20 hens and I love them ta bits! they are great layers and great company..and I can appreciate why you fancy having some as they do give eggs for very little return.

Anyway, the truth is, I have mine enclosed in a large pen but my god, they yap until I Let them out into bigger garden.. I have 1 acre with a few flower beds etc.
So, they are free to roam everyday getting fresh grass which is the secret to having delicious creamy eggs..

The truth is, they will cause havoc scratching in vegetable beds, they love having dust baths in dry loose dusty soil..so wire off vegetable patches..they do scratch a little in the flower beds but nothing too damaging...they won't damage your poly tunnel..they never touch mine..its the pesky blackbirds that destroy that! If you have grass in your garden, they will be happy enough to stay put..I have a few that go into neighbouring fields until the cows chase them out!

I also have 2 that go out onto the road scratching but at end of the day, they do make their way back home to roost!

Trust me, you will not regret having hens..just wire off anything you wish to protect and enjoy the eggs!

Nutty Nutritionist

Thanks, thats more to think about than I originally estimated.

Our garden is not very big, less than ½ acre and access across a ditch to fields and also the road would be available if I let them roam.

Do you clip their wings to stop them from flying in to trees etc?

I will rethink this. Not so sure I could go ahead with them at this stage, until I sort raised beds and keeping them from straying.

amytomjerry

Hi...no I haven't clipped their wings as they don't go near the trees..I wouldn't worry about them going into next door's field..

If I was keeping them enclosed in a pen then yes, I would clip the wings...

Nutty Nutritionist

Thank you. You have been very helpful.

We let, ours, free range and have clipped their wings.

Nutty Nutritionist

Ok, I just read about it, so will check it out in more detail. So much to consider!

Why are you getting hens? eggs or pets.
If pets try something different. I've a mix but looking to expand when the new run is built and considering a fw Silkies for the novelty factor.

Nutty Nutritionist

For eggs mostly.

Nutty Nutritionist

Nutty Nutritionist wrote: »

For eggs mostly.

There are some good chicken groups in FB based in Ireland. It's worth going on and getting advice. A friendly bunch!

Nutty Nutritionist

Thanks. I closed my FB account actually.