Logement et les soins

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Article written by Jose Kramer

Space Requirements

Regularly I get by email the question how anyone can keep chickens in the pen what is purchased or constructed himself, it seems useful to me but to start here. In general, the ready-ready-as lofts for sale in the shops are too small. The rabbit cages that we sell are of a size suitable for a couple of hamsters and chickens that they sell pens would do well as rabbit hutch. I find it shocking sometimes to see what some people have for sale on Marketplace under the name henhouse. For me personally is (maybe you?) That I enjoy it when I see my animals enjoy their good life. Of rabbits in small cages and chickens in their run to small-and-fro to only one opening to find out to make me happy. This course is every man for himself, but I hope that the majority felt the same way as I think (utopia?).

A few examples of pens that I believe are not appropriate for a orpingtonkriel / large Orpington: Unless the chickens in the pens have a free range, then these lofts ideal: I personally feel great Orpington not fit into a closed s account. These are just animals, like goats and pigs, which are quite large and I believe are supposed to run loose and moving. A chicken is an animal origin of what are food together rummages. A healthy chicken rummages throughout the day. This applies also to orpingtonkrielen, Even though they are a lot smaller. Orpingtonkrielen alone are well suited to keep in a cage with a run, but manageable or at least 1.5 m2 per hen and realize that this is definitely not over for an animal like that rummages.

It is also important that one does not run low on the ground, but somewhat higher, so the chicken now and then can make crazy jumps, they do so much! His love increases and chicken sticks and boards, so if you chance to see who wish to perform, then the chicken good use of it! Keep in mind that if your chickens, as they can in the garden, everything will plow! If you want to avoid, you should sell a piece around the henhouse, so that they can scurry marketed space.

The nachthok
Under the nachthok usually means the loft where the chickens \ evening to roost, but is also often the place where the boxes are breeding. Often the nachthok not very big, but some people have so \ ‘s great nachthok that even a place to feed and drinking water bowl to put down. When you choose a nachthok what legs, this is ideal for chickens and can then in fact there to the loft to enjoy sand bathing or for the rain to find shelter or shelter from the burning Sun

Predators
If you live in an area where foxes, ferrets and other species are active predators, it is recommended that a hatch opening to the outside to make you s \ ‘can do close at night, so the chickens are safely locked and further may come to nothing.

Ventilation
It is also important to a ventilation grille in the roof of the loft to place, so proper ventilation (no drafts!) In the loft and bacteria no chance to go brew.

Whitewash
It is also recommended to the chicken inside whitewashing with ground paint (still well down and is not expensive) since this pest can be quickly detected, and also allows for more light in the loft.

Perches
Everyone knows the statement \ “with the chicken on a stick \ ‘. It will therefore not surprising that chickens like to sit and an increase \ ‘s like night to roost. Often I see people from ignorance round use sticks, poles or too narrow. Both orpingtonkrielen and large are very happy to Orpington square bars of 70 mm x 70 mm, but beams of 50 mm x 70 mm are also suitable, but if you ensure that the corners are rounded. Such beams can possibly use in locations outside the henhouse (the nachthok in any case!) And you’ll see that the hens day gratefully use them (for good sunbathing or something similar).

Garden Beams of 70x70mm are ideal for perching as well as orpingtonkriel large Orpington Possibly garden would also meet bars 70x45mm, 70x70mm but is better! Lime bars or white because of the lice! Chickens are like on big sticks, garden bars are ideal,
given the size (70mm x 70 mm) and the rounded corners! In the shadow is like the bars used!

Zandbadderen
Chickens have sand needed to be able to scratch but also to \ “zandbadderen \”. This is something like the chicken is nice when the sun begins to shine, and then the chicken to enjoy the sand and the Sun Make sure that the chickens always have an opportunity to zandbadderen. In a cage on legs, so you would \ ‘s sandy area below the loft to make, such as one of the pictures currently following the case: In a chicken leg on the space you would be able to exploit a sandbox creation where you can enjoy chicken zandbadderen, your chickens will be grateful to you!

Nesting Boxes
Nesting Boxes are often the nachthok fixed or attached in the nachthok. We ourselves have a potato-box in the pigpen on the shelf (there is always a certain they lay her egg), 2 large and small in 2 / 2 to the henhouse and chicken under the porch (see the photo \ ‘s above).

Especially in the summer but in winter, make the chickens happy to use the outer boxes. In some ways they are just like outside. The disadvantage may be that the eggs are stolen by magpies or other birds (only during the mating season). A box filled with straw potato can also serve as excellent nesting box!

Drinking Place
As a chicken at all times the decision may have to fresh, cold water, it is the easiest for the caregiver to an overturned bucket (see photo) to buy. The advantage of such \ ‘s bucket is that you can fill it completely with water and then z \’ s side can put.

Cleaning the drink bucket
It is also advisable to the bucket once in a while to clean. With a brush you can clean the front part, but the inside of the bucket is more difficult. If you still want to take a once in hand, you can use pebbles, stop quite a few pebbles in the bucket and the bucket substantially fool up and down in the round, the stones you can use after just shaking out of the bucket.

Feed Silo
Since chickens like tombs, including those in their food, it is advisable for one to buy chicken feed silo. These are available in different sizes, depending on needs. Since the chickens do their digging event will exhibit behavior, it is advisable to enter a silo or to hang on to increase places to prevent it falling over.

Chicken Run
Chick IIKuikens of 0-6 weeks I get chicken feed (grain but can also flour) and chicken 7 weeks old to be put on the chicken feed II (grain or flour)! This is very important, because this food is growing all chickens need! Pullets not old enough to lay, you should put on chicken II until they touch the leg, then go over to legvoer. If sweets you can also occasionally give a handful of grain.

Legvoer you indicate that the hens are laying. This is because extra calcium transport processes, leading to the chicken needed for egg production. Here you have the choice of grain or flour. If your chickens eat well in the grain, it is advisable to maintain the grain (less mess and you will know that everything gets your chicken, the chicken in flour can all pick out good things and leave the rest ). If candy can give them a hand mixed cereal (love them!).

Stomach Pebble / grit
Chickens free to scurry around, take the gepik on the ground, including stones to themselves. If a chicken does not beyond the interest will be scratching, it is very important to ensure that sufficient stomach gravel / grit in the cage is present. A chicken has it necessary for the production of eggs (lime) and also for proper digestion. You might bowl a pebble down to Zett, but also as an opportunity for mixing with food. What is fun, for the pebbles to throw around in the chicken and the delicious things to pick on!

Fresh herbage
Chickens love fresh greens. When they walk in a meadow or lawn, they always pick up little bits of grass and by swallowing it. If you picked grass to give the chickens, they can not be small and the long strings stuck in their head, something you absolutely should avoid (can cause inflammation-head with eventual death due)! Cut grass, walls and other greenery is always first into small pieces before you enter your chickens! They will be grateful, because they love it! Chickens love wall (Stellaria Media), also known \ “chickweed \” called. The English call this delicious Green Chicken Weed not for nothing!

Fruit
Chickens love apples! Cut the apple into slices and smikkelen it! Philippen love apples, but this is as sweet feed, not primary feed! They are very thick of it! Especially big fat “Orpington quite easy!