Home Is Where The Hens Are
Good Organic Gardening|July - August 2020
How to build a comfy poultry pad where birds of a feather will happily flock together
Megg Miller
Home Is Where The Hens Are

We often forget that poultry housing is there to meet the occupants’ needs, especially if they have to be confined due to predators.

If you can move around freely and the air is fresh then it’s likely to be comfy and healthy for the flock as well.

But first things first. Before deciding on a design, how many birds do you plan keeping? What about replacements — might numbers swell during the overlap period?

Recommended floor space per bird is 0.37m², extra being desirable. A spacious house allows for numerical expansion even if birds range freely during the day.

The henhouse to aim for is a well-lit, amply ventilated building that you can walk into, is cool in summer but keeps rain and winter wind out and is large enough for the hens to keep out of one another’s way when locked in.

When making decisions, be guided by the thought: will this offer maximum comfort to the flock?

Facing northeast is best as it gives access to morning sun, but many backyards are too small to allow site selection. At my place, the winter eggs always come from northeast-facing houses.

Shade from trees is important, too. The internal temperature of a poultry house can be lowered by up to 5°C in summer if shaded by trees. You may need to weigh up whether summer survival is a greater priority than winter eggs.

COOL CHICKS

Poultry generally show serious stress when the temperature exceeds 38ºC. Overheated birds may need to be brought indoors for cooling or their houses lightly hosed and drinking water regularly renewed. Such TLC requires you to be at home.

This story is from the July - August 2020 edition of Good Organic Gardening.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July - August 2020 edition of Good Organic Gardening.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GOOD ORGANIC GARDENINGView All
Glamour girls
Good Organic Gardening

Glamour girls

EVERYONE LOVES A HARDWORKING ISA BROWN BUT GET A LOAD OF THESE CHIC CHICKENS AND FEATHERED FASHIONISTAS

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
FRIED VEG
Good Organic Gardening

FRIED VEG

IT’S POSSIBLE TO ENJOY A FRY-UP IN A DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY WAY BY TURNING TO SOME FRY-FRIENDLY PLANTS

time-read
4 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
BEYOND BIG RED
Good Organic Gardening

BEYOND BIG RED

TOMATOES COME IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND COLOURS, SO NOW’S THE TIME TO EXPLORE THEIR INFINITE VARIETY

time-read
4 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
EVEN MORE TROPPO
Good Organic Gardening

EVEN MORE TROPPO

ANOTHER SENSATIONAL SIX TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR GARDEN — OR YOUR FRUIT SALAD

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
LET'S STALK RHUBARB
Good Organic Gardening

LET'S STALK RHUBARB

JUST AS TOMATO IS A FRUIT USED AS A VEGETABLE, RHUBARB IS A VEGETABLE COMMONLY CONSUMED AS A DESSERT

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
FOOD OF THE GODS
Good Organic Gardening

FOOD OF THE GODS

THE FLESHY FRUIT OF THE FICUS WAS MUHAMMAD’S FAVOURITE AND BUDDHA FOUND ENLIGHTENMENT UNDER A FIG TREE

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
MAKING GOOD BETTER
Good Organic Gardening

MAKING GOOD BETTER

THE IRREPRESSIBLE TV PRESENTER WRITES ABOUT HOW SHE, WITH HUSBAND ANTON AND DAUGHTER FRIDA, TURNED A STEEP HOBART BLOCK INTO A PRODUCTIVE GARDEN

time-read
7 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
True lily
Good Organic Gardening

True lily

MANY PLANTS ARE CALLED LILIES BUT IT’S THE MEMBERS OF THE GENUS LILIUM THAT ARE THE REAL DEAL

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
SALTY BUDS
Good Organic Gardening

SALTY BUDS

THE CAPER BUSH PRODUCES TWO DISTINCT BUT EQUALLY DELICIOUS, TANGY MORSELS: CAPERS AND CAPERBERRIES

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.5
Ducks on duty
Good Organic Gardening

Ducks on duty

BUSY, VIGILANT, HARD ON GARDEN PESTS AND GENEROUS LAYERS — YOU’VE GOTTA LOVE A DUCK!

time-read
5 mins  |
Good Organic Gardening 12.4