What sort of house?

Our main aim at Cotswold Chickens is to provide you with healthy pullets, the house you put them is entirely up to you, if you don’t purchase a house from us we’ll still sell you the pullets and accessories.  Make sure the house that you get suits your environment, your budget and meets your requirements.

There are a number of things to think about but above all it must be weather and fox proof.  Make sure it is big enough for the number of hens you’d like bearing in mind that chicken keeping can become addictive so sometimes best to get one that takes a few more than the number you intend on having.

It’s advisable to raise the house off the ground a little to deter vermin and stop ramp coming through and rotting the floor.

The house can be made of brick, timber or plastic and can be any shape you like, the hens won’t mind as long as there is a perch and somewhere to lay and above all they are safe and they can call it home.

The cleaning aspect is very important, is the entrance big enough for you to clean it out?  Weekly cleaning is best, replacing litter in all areas. There are disinfectants available which are not toxic to the birds and will destroy many if not all bacteria, virus and fungus harmful to poultry.

Weekly cleaning is advisable and a monthly scrub with disinfectant and a wire brush will help maintain a pest free environment for them.

Is there a nesting place for them or again can it be added? These should be located in the lowest, darkest part of the house as hens like to lay their eggs in secret places.

Are there perches for them to sit on?  If not can they be added?  Hens love to be able to perch on something that they can get their feet round, at night they will often all sit together for comfort and warmth.

Ventilation is important to prevent the build up of bacteria and condensation; when the house is shut up at night can the air still circulate?  It’s better to have the ventilation at the top of the house to stop draughts.

What you use on the base of the house is for your ease of cleaning as the pullets should sit on the perches.  This can be straw, shredded paper or shavings and should be cleaned out about once a week.  In the nest box put some straw as they like to be quite comfortable when they are laying. 

Avoid using hay as it builds up mould spores very quickly which isn’t good for their respiratory system.

Regularly check the house for bugs – Red Mite is a killer and is sometimes undetectable until it’s too late.  Ideally coat the inside of the house with some sort of wood sealer to prevent the mite being able to live in behind the frame, some people paint the inside with gloss paint which has the same effect (it must be completely dry and have been allowed to air for a week before putting hens into the house).  There are many sprays and powders which will deter red mite and should be used once a month.

The house must provide protection from vermin and foxes. One inch (2.5cm) mesh over the ventilation areas will help keep out all but the smallest of vermin. Make sure the bolts are good and strong as foxes will paw and scratch at them to get in.