I want a couple of chooks

But I'm on a tight budget - anyone know where I can acquire a nice cheap little chook house? Or an easy way to make one?

Any other advice gratefully received too....

Jamanda

I'm sure one of our many chicken keepers will be along to advise soon, but in the mean time have you read this article by Treacodactyl?

http://www.downsizer.net/Projects/Raising_livestock/Chicken_Keeping/

Treacodactyl

Unless you can pick up a house for free from someone who's giving up the next cheapest way would be to make a house from recycled timber or convert an existing building, there should be a few old threads with more details.

However, I wouldn't say keeping chickens is that cheap especially on a very small scale. After housing costs, there's feed and possibly the odd vets bill. Perhaps keeping a few more and selling the spare eggs might help balance things?

Soapnutter

Oh this is more pets that happen to possibly provide some eggs, if we get enough to sell a few to friends then that's great but I'm not after that really.

However, I do have a large rabbit hutch on the way from freecycle to convert and that's a start.

cherrybanana

Quote:

this is more pets that happen to possibly provide some eggs, if we get enough to sell a few to friends then that's great but I'm not after that really.

That's exactly how we went into acquiring our 3 ex-batts. Had a lot of 'that'll come in useful one day' bits of wood lying about so that made a very cheap coop.

The food's not too pricey, and we now have 3 eggs a day! And they are very endearing characters - great pets.

So - all the best, hope your chook project goes well!

lassemista

Have you got a local freecycle. I got a bantam house as a home for youngsters, and a rabbit house as a broody coop on freecycle. They do tend to go quick tho'
Andrea.

Soapnutter

Yes, I posted that I'd got a large rabbit hutch to convert - it's arriving next week.

Tristan

If you have got a Wilkinsons nearby they are really good for wire and plastic netting at a good price. If you puy a piece of 3x2 timber across the open part of the hutch for a perch and let them use the sleeping part for laying eggs you should be OK with three hybrid type hens.
A shutter over the front at night would help

Soapnutter

Tristan,
That pretty much sums up my plan, along with some sort of ramp for them too - as the hutch is on legs.

Soapnutter

Oh and yes, we have a nice big Wilko's in town.

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