Page 22 - ALG Issue 3 2021

chickens
Chicken Co-operative – Ash Road Allotment in Leeds
We are an allotment chicken co- operative, based in Leeds. In 2015 there was the opportunity for plotholders to take over a half plot which had already been set up to accommodate chickens, but was no longer used. There were seven of us (two couples, making nine people) so we decided to have a set day each. This works well and we swap to cover holidays, etc. Several people have come and gone, but three originals remain.
The half plot is well constructed, completely fenced off with one
third being the inner coop area and completely fox-proof. One third is a grass area with a small shed containing rat-proof bins to accommodate feed, etc. The other third was given over to six raised beds which one member has now taken over on a personal basis, although the chickens are allowed on them when fallow. Avian Flu restricts this freedom periodically.
The original ‘seven’ bought a new coop, twelve Isa Red chickens, feeders, water dispensers, appropriate feed, etc. Having a ready built set-up saved us
a great deal of money. Any newcomer
is charged an initial £50 to join and we top up the kitty (£20), periodically, for ongoing expenses. New chickens or a large project are agreed and paid for separately. (Hubby says it’s a bigger loss maker than Concorde!)
We have a Treasurer, two are responsible for supplies and one doing medication. Everyone gets involved in issues as they arise. Our WhatsApp group keeps everyone informed.
Each day the chickens are fed, watered and cleaned. Water has a splash of cider vinegar daily, spider mite medication is put into water weekly, and every three months they have a week of worming treatment pellets. Coops are sprayed with disinfectant and mite powder is applied monthly. The chickens are physically checked for any problems.
Because the coop area is fox-proof, we can leave the coop door open so the chickens can get out in the morning and put themselves to bed at night. Two people have adjacent plots so let the chickens out into the garden area if they are onsite.
We currently have 18 chickens. Two Isa Red (donated) are five years old and a White Star is four and a half years old
– all rather weak. We never C-U-L-L (shush, don’t even say the word!) so obviously they are not laying. Laying, we have: four Nero, two Blue Star, two Old Sussex and one White Star. Additionally, we recently purchased two Cheshire Blue, two White Star and two Speckled Rock. We have graduated from a flock of brown ‘farmyard’ chickens to a mixed flock, for added interest. Cockerels are not allowed on allotments in Leeds.
With the size of our flock, we have learnt to introduce five or six new chickens
at a time. A smaller number leads to establishing a pecking order taking longer, with bullying taking place. We have two feed, water and grit areas to reduce the opportunity for bullying.
The chickens are very funny, interesting and get on well together. We get
varying numbers of eggs depending on moulting, light, weather. But, although we obviously want eggs, they quickly turn into pets and are forgiven if eggs numbers are low. Having a mixed flock, we get eggs from white, through various shades of brown and speckled to (of course) blue eggs from the Cheshire Blue. All good fun. We love having them. Give it a go!!!
Susan Frost
22 Allotment and Leisure Gardener