Hi Karen, welcome to world of hen-keeping. Your life will never be the same again! Apologies if this is a bit long, but there may be some things about the accommodation you might have overlooked as this is your first venture into hen-keeping. As Bob said, I'd put the two coops side by side. The girl...

Hi We have 11 hens in one large run. Part of the run is paved, the other part has membrane on top of soil. It has a polycarbonate roof and is weather-tight. Easibed and Bio-dri are our choices. Easibed performs the same in both parts of the run. It's poo-picked regularly and lasts for a least six mo...

I follow Cheshire Chick with cautious and slow integration. As Bob said it's a case of suck it and see, and best done when you have time to supervise. From our experience, our girls seem to let us know when they want to all be in the same coop at night. Good luck and keep us posted with your progres...

Your new girls being a similar size is an advantage. Are your existing girls hybrids? Even though you'll be getting your new girls from your usual supplier, I think your previous experience of illness is telling you which method of integration to use. As KarenE has said, it will put your mind at res...

Hi Amber Opinions seem to differ quite a lot on the subject of introducing new birds! You didn't say how many girls you already have and what size and age they are. These factors can alter the way two different flocks respond to each other. We've introduced new birds before and done it as you though...

Manda, thank you for posting about about Dr Gomes and her survey. I hope it will encourage more to do it.

I've done the survey. As a previous poster said, there are some very interesting questions that make you assess your own poultry husbandry in view of the present Avian 'Flu restrictions.

Don't hesitate in doing the survey. We backyard keepers need to show how much we do care about our birds.

I hope it does the job for you. Let us know how you get on.

Forgot to say that as well as stopping the cats from coming through the hedge into my garden, it stops my birds going through into next door's garden. A hen-keeping neighbour has also used the same netting for the same purpose.

Manda, many thanks for posting the DEFRA reply. The same topic also appeared on another poultry forum recently. It certainly makes one think twice about those tubs of Chinese mealworms but, as you say, what people decide to do in the privacy of their own homes is up to them. There are many other 'tr...

I used the 38mm (1½") 600 denier knotted square mesh for Chickens and Ducks. The net is quite strong (withstands a heavy hen trying to push through it when spooked and has stopped the neighbour's cats). It could be chewed through quite easily by a fox though. If you already have the posts that ...

m" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I've used their poultry netting for temporary fencing and to keep the hens off the flower beds. Net comes in any height/length you need. Delivery is slightly pricey for small amounts b...