What are the guidelines for keeping chickens and ducks in the garden? -

November 9th, 2010 |

You’ll only need to register the flock with DEFRA if you keep 50 or more hens. However you can register voluntarily. DEFRA also have a free text and email alert service should there be an outbreak of any notifyable diseases in the area.

I’m the local co-ordinator for the North London Hen Rescue so feel free to pm me and come and look at my ex-batts, hen house and ask any questions. Battery hens are sent for slaughter at approx 72 weeks old as they generally enter their first moult then. Egg production drops as they put the protein into feather growth rather than making eggs and they tend to lay less than the 6 eggs per week that makes them commercially viable. However hens can lay for years to come. They do tend to lay less eggs, however they do seem to be bigger eggs. Unfortunately they are not “retired” but are sent to slaughter to go into pet and baby food.

I have a couple of pure bred hens along with the ex-batts. One in particular is quite talkative and both are considerably more flighty. But there are quite a few good breeds out there for beginners which are relatively docile and good layers.

I would definately make certain your housing is fox proof, and remember they are clever, determined creatures that can clear 5′ fences and dig underneath them! Eglu’s do have a good reputation however are incredably expensive considering the basic needs of a hen and I mady my house out of recycled materials which cost only 20 in total, compared with the 600 for an eglu cube or 200 for a new wooden built ark or shed.

And I too have had to fence them in…. my couple of acres to free range in was nowhere near as exciting as next doors veg patch!