After some very careful thinking, much research on the web and some quick email questions to my sister who has much greater experience in such matters we have now decided to stop messing about and just get some chickens to try that out.
First things first, we had to order the chicken house and run which eventually led to Chicken Coops Direct – an online-only company with a very impressive website and a good range of chicken buildings and runs for sale at what seem to be good prices. Perhaps the price charged reflects the use of poor quality wood or poor workmanship but we’ll find that out this weekend.
I also realise that a flashy website is not always a good indicator of the level of service and product quality provided but so far so good – especially after my own incompetence when checking the wrong account for email confirmation of the order and hassling them with an email! All sorted out by a quick phone call from them so a plus for that already!
We expect delivery on Friday so I predict construction will take place on Friday afternoon after applying a decent coat of preservative to all the wood. We have a site earmarked already and a spare bag of wood chip to put down if we decide to clear away some of the grass.
Once the coop and run is in place there will be more details and photos…