Page 26 - ALG Issue 2 20202

chickens
Allotment hen-keeping tips from the RSPCA
• Housingshouldbewarm,dryand well ventilated
• Providewoodshavingsonfloor
• Feedandwaterfacilitiesshouldbe provided within the house
• Donotoverstock;thiswillavoid conflict
• Perchesshouldbeprovided–15cm of space per bird
• Houseshouldbecleanedout frequently and disinfected to ensure that there are no harmful parasites
• Pastureshouldbeprovided;allow parts to recover by dividing and rotating access
• Outdooroverheadcovershouldbe provided to give protection from the sun, bad weather and other animals
• Providedrysoilwheretheycan dustbathe and forage
• Strawwillalsokeepbirdsoccupied and encourage them to carry out food searching behaviours
• Fencesshouldbewellmaintained and provide appropriate protection against other animals and prevent escape
• Keepatleastthreehens,whichget on well together
• Mixing of chickens that are unfamiliar with each other should be done carefully
• Healthybirdsappearalertand interested in their environment, and look ‘bright eyed’ and well hydrated.
• Signsofpoorhealthmayincludea hunched posture, erect feathers and a reluctance to move
• Chickenscanbesusceptibletolice and red mites
• Poultryneedregularworming, particularly if they are kept on the same ground for more than a month
The full text of this advice can be found at: http://politicalanimal.org.uk/wp- content/uploads/2014/11/Welfare-of- animals-on-allotments.pdf.
Keep at least three hens, which get on well together
Suppliers of fertile hatching eggs:
Website address: www.fertilehatchingeggs.com
Large Fowl, Bantams, Ducks, Geese and Quail
Also supplying Cobb meat chicks and Hybrids at P of Lay
Custom Hatching offered and School & Care Home hatching programmes available.
Tel: 01452 724565/07709 933064 Website: www.fosterpoultry.co.uk
26 Allotment and Leisure Gardener
Fosters
Poultry Lynton Fields, Naas Lane, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2FU