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Paul
Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 12
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judith
Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 22789 Location: Montgomeryshire
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Bugs
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 10744
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 05 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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I think it would be quite possible and although the ideal would be to have them in your garden if you have one, so that it is easier to keep an eye out, many people do keep them on allotments - Gertie here for example, and I've read an article or two about it (you'll come to realise I say that about many things I'll see if I can dig it out and pass on anything useful I find in it).
They'll still be far better off than any battery hen and many "free range" ones. But give them as much room as you can manage, they will appreciate it all.
Like Judith says you will need to make sure the house is very very sturdy and I would consider either a wire floor or a sort of skirt of wire on the floor on the outside of the run, and of course make sure it is pegged down securely. A fox can dig quite a hole in a short space of time.
Another big consideration is water, without which they will suffer within hours. Ours often kick over the dispenser or get wood shavings in it, so it might be worth another post to see if anyone has bright ideas for reliable drinkers.
For locking up, you could get an automatic opener for the hatch, and visit at night to lock them up, leaving it to the auto thing to let them out in the morning, if you have to (or perhaps a fellow plotholder will do that for you?).
Finally what Judith said about a permanent run and build up, could your house design incorporate two runs side by side, to be used one at a time?
Do you think your allotment is planning a rule change then or is there a change of keeping them at home at all? |
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Mrs Fiddlesticks
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 10460
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Gertie
Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638 Location: Yorkshire
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pink bouncy
Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 174
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Treacodactyl Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 25795 Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
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pink bouncy
Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 174
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Paul
Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 12
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alison Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 12918 Location: North Devon
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