Clari, I looked on eBay etc for chicken coops, around £120 for 3-5 chickens, reviews were ok but the ones 3+ times as much were much sturdier from what I could gather you may get what you pay for. Hope you get to touch and feel some before buying so you can make an informed decision, ps, you don't need an appointment for BVfarm just turn up I was told when I emailed her. Exciting, enjoy! Hmmm, think I might be able to meet up with you there perhaps...?
I think it definitely is get what you pay for with coops which is why I started to look at second hand ones as even ones wanting a bit of work (painting etc) would be a more sturdy design than a new cheap one. There seems to be a lot of coops available which is good - I guess its a hobby people can quickly grow bored of which they find it more time consuming / expensive than they realised. Also with a second hand one at least I get to see it before I hand over any cash. I did rather favour the idea of those plastic Iglu by Omlet but I'm finding much bigger wooden cages for the same price and I'd rather the chickens have more space than my lazy idea of them being easier to clean.
Yes I emailed the Farm to ask and check about opening times, she seemed quite friendly PLUS what's useful is that they have late night opening one day a week which'll be a bonus when getting regular supplies. I'm hoping to go to the Food Festival in Sheffield if the weather is good so don't know when we'll be heading over yet but if I find out in good time I'll send you a message!
another message to clari from mrs knows nothing know it all...coops shouldn't be reused for a year to ensure there's no red mite infestation. Ot sure why a good scrub wouldn't be ok perhaps a question to ask the farm?
Wow! just reporting in - Pak choi sown direct on the 15th has germinated beautifully and was big enough for me to thin out!!! The plan was to grow this alongside where I've planted the runner beans, and because it's a quick grower it should all be harvested by the time I need to walk along there to pick the beans - looks like the plan's going to work
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
another message to clari from mrs knows nothing know it all...coops shouldn't be reused for a year to ensure there's no red mite infestation. Ot sure why a good scrub wouldn't be ok perhaps a question to ask the farm?
That's a good point. I was intending on a complete dismantle, lightly sanding down the wood, cleaning with a strong animal safe disinfectant, before repainting it to protect the wood and reassembling. I would have thought this should get rid of the nasties but I'll definitely ask at the farm what their opinion is and if they've a disinfectant they recommend.
Thinking about it I'd best see if there are certain paints to avoid too. (I know chickens don't tend to chew their coops as a rabbit for instance would but it would still be a good idea to make sure the paint wouldn't cause problems).
I'm also going to ask the farm about winterising the coops. With aviaries and rabbit hutches I would be fixing a grooved batten of wood so that plastic sheets can be slotted in on the roof / wind prone sides for extra protection as required (because its much easier to build these mods in now when its empty than when its raining!) Having only dealt with chickens in very sheltered coops 100 miles south I want to try and put as much in place now so we don't have to worry should we ever get a bad winter.
Just home from a ten hr shift and its drizzling outside, but what a super forum I have to read through and a couple of recorded Chelseas and the lastest episodes on http://thehorticulturalchannel.info/ to watch so...I'm slobbing out
So excited for Chicky and others who walked the walk at Chelsea. Looking forward to seeing some pics from there with a real-life camera .
Also, reporting Mr and Mrs Blackbird have taken up residence in my Laurel to which I am super excited. It's opposite the patio so sunny evenings are currently spent watching Mr Blackbird bring the Mrs her food.
Hello from sunny near-Blackpool Drive to/from Birmingham wasn't too bad today thankfully and now back home to lots of dry plants!! So I've whizzed the vac round and done some watering.....is it ok to water in the day? I suppose if needs must I don't have a choice.
Alliums Mrs Garden, why does my garden need Alliums? Convince me Well,actually convince OH who keeps making subtle comments about there being plants everywhere If I lived near you I would come and buy from your car boot stall, you have a great collection.
Getting really cross with Yahoo, STILL can't access emails, it tells me I have 15 but then won't load them and I need to get in touch with the make up lady for my sister's wedding to book in practice run so not a happy bunny
Apart from that everything is wonderful, birds are singing, sun is shining, work was good today and I'm going to go and repot my free perennials
Hi all, have been to Westonbirt Arboretum today; lovely sunny day and have taken loads of photos. Will post some when I upload them to my PC - when my feet have stopped aching that is.
Have been out in the garden for the last hour or so watering the plants, potting up an Acer (low growing variety - max height 4ft (1.2mts for those who don't work in fahrenheit).
Have booked tickets to take OH (Eileen) to Highgrove on 3rd June (3 miles on from Westonbirt) as a birthday treat so looking forward to that, though phones and cameras are not allowed so will not be able to take any pics there more's the pity. John H
Posts
I think it definitely is get what you pay for with coops which is why I started to look at second hand ones as even ones wanting a bit of work (painting etc) would be a more sturdy design than a new cheap one. There seems to be a lot of coops available which is good - I guess its a hobby people can quickly grow bored of which they find it more time consuming / expensive than they realised. Also with a second hand one at least I get to see it before I hand over any cash. I did rather favour the idea of those plastic Iglu by Omlet but I'm finding much bigger wooden cages for the same price and I'd rather the chickens have more space than my lazy idea of them being easier to clean.
Yes I emailed the Farm to ask and check about opening times, she seemed quite friendly PLUS what's useful is that they have late night opening one day a week which'll be a bonus when getting regular supplies. I'm hoping to go to the Food Festival in Sheffield if the weather is good so don't know when we'll be heading over yet but if I find out in good time I'll send you a message!
Wow! just reporting in - Pak choi sown direct on the 15th has germinated beautifully and was big enough for me to thin out!!! The plan was to grow this alongside where I've planted the runner beans, and because it's a quick grower it should all be harvested by the time I need to walk along there to pick the beans - looks like the plan's going to work
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
That's a good point. I was intending on a complete dismantle, lightly sanding down the wood, cleaning with a strong animal safe disinfectant, before repainting it to protect the wood and reassembling. I would have thought this should get rid of the nasties but I'll definitely ask at the farm what their opinion is and if they've a disinfectant they recommend.
Thinking about it I'd best see if there are certain paints to avoid too. (I know chickens don't tend to chew their coops as a rabbit for instance would but it would still be a good idea to make sure the paint wouldn't cause problems).
I'm also going to ask the farm about winterising the coops. With aviaries and rabbit hutches I would be fixing a grooved batten of wood so that plastic sheets can be slotted in on the roof / wind prone sides for extra protection as required (because its much easier to build these mods in now when its empty than when its raining!) Having only dealt with chickens in very sheltered coops 100 miles south I want to try and put as much in place now so we don't have to worry should we ever get a bad winter.
Afternoon Forkers.
Just home from a ten hr shift and its drizzling outside, but what a super forum I have to read through and a couple of recorded Chelseas and the lastest episodes on http://thehorticulturalchannel.info/ to watch so...I'm slobbing out
So excited for Chicky and others who walked the walk at Chelsea. Looking forward to seeing some pics from there with a real-life camera
.
Also, reporting Mr and Mrs Blackbird have taken up residence in my Laurel to which I am super excited. It's opposite the patio so sunny evenings are currently spent watching Mr Blackbird bring the Mrs her food.
Hello from sunny near-Blackpool
Drive to/from Birmingham wasn't too bad today thankfully and now back home to lots of dry plants!! So I've whizzed the vac round and done some watering.....is it ok to water in the day? I suppose if needs must I don't have a choice.
Alliums Mrs Garden, why does my garden need Alliums? Convince me
Well,actually convince OH who keeps making subtle comments about there being plants everywhere 
If I lived near you I would come and buy from your car boot stall, you have a great collection.
Getting really cross with Yahoo, STILL can't access emails, it tells me I have 15 but then won't load them and I need to get in touch with the make up lady for my sister's wedding to book in practice run so not a happy bunny
Apart from that everything is wonderful, birds are singing, sun is shining, work was good today and I'm going to go and repot my free perennials
MrsGarden......you are so right my garden NEEDS Alliums, right now
Just seen the other thread so I get it now 
Still no blooming rain
Did some planting and hacked at some weeds and my rose briar hedge, which had got very spiky!
Hope all have had a good day, and those at the salt mines have had a good day esp.
Hi everyone,
No rain here yet, hopefullyit will happen over night and then a sunny day again.
Work today not too bad, but another colleague gave her notice in today
Did you plant up all your new little plants Panda ? Sounds like you had a busy day
Hi all, have been to Westonbirt Arboretum today; lovely sunny day and have taken loads of photos. Will post some when I upload them to my PC - when my feet have stopped aching that is
.
Have been out in the garden for the last hour or so watering the plants, potting up an Acer (low growing variety - max height 4ft (1.2mts for those who don't work in fahrenheit).
Have booked tickets to take OH (Eileen) to Highgrove on 3rd June (3 miles on from Westonbirt) as a birthday treat so looking forward to that, though phones and cameras are not allowed so will not be able to take any pics there more's the pity. John H