Growing vegetables under cover is an integral part of gardening for many home owners. Sometimes, on a piece of land, in the middle of the plot, there is a structure exposed to sunlight. It is a polytunnel, a hobby structure in which thermophilic plants ripen. Healthy, free of pesticide and fully organic vegetables and fruits are the result of a satisfying work in the tunnel. Thanks to a greenhouse ,even a beginner will be able to grow a healthy, nutritious and aromatic crop. After a few seasons, the pantry shelves will be full of preserves, and the freezers will be filled to the brim.
As vegetables and fruits are now plentiful. It’s time for the next step which will make us less dependent from supermarket shelves and unhealthy food. Let’s talk domestic chicken breeding.
Many people living in cities and their outskirts establish small henhouses. Having their own vegetables from the greenhouse, they can feed a large flock with the scraps. That way, eggs and meat are available with chickens. Is it difficult? No, if you prepare yourself accordingly.
This time, in the Krosagro guide. We will show you how to set up a chicken farm house and how to choose them for a henhouse.
Contents
Which chickens to choose for garden breeding?
The hens should have small requirements concerning the premises (henhouse) and conditions prevailing in it. High resistance to diseases and be able to feed on plant and animal food are important. As well as lay about 160 eggs per year. Production of poultry depends on how much both daylight and artificial light they get. Temperature in the house and outside, as well as access to the nests.
The selection of the best egg layers is not so obvious, every breeder will be convinced of the superiority of one over the other. At the beginning, it is worth choosing popular breeds, as you can find many guides on the internet and in books on how to deal with them. The following ones are usually chosen for home sheds:
Chickens to choose
- Leghorn – the hen associated with this breed is one of the most popular in Europe and in the world. They require very little feed, but are very efficient as a bird can produce an average of 240 eggs per year. They have a very skittish character, so try to stress them as little as possible. In addition, if you are affected by cackling sounds, you will have peace with this breed. These quiet birds are almost perfect in an urban space.
- Rhode Island Red – a relatively new breed of hens originating from the USA, bred in the 19th century. They display a red-brown plumage but are not as productive as Leghorns. In a year, you can expect a maximum of 220 eggs. However, their high resistance to disease and cold are great advantages.
- Polbar – Polish breed, with a maximum of 190 eggs a year. Chicks can be distinguished early, limiting distraction and non-compatibility of males in the flock. Male counterparts of any race are very temperamental. Constantly fighting for position, food, water, nest, etc., so to avoid stress leading to weak egg production, leave only one or no rooster.
- Sussex – quite large hens that can weigh of up to 2.2 kg. They come from Great Britain, as the name indicates. They give about 200 eggs a year. It is a universal breed, so it’s easy to start with. It crosses with other breeds, giving it a greater strength and resistance. In addition, it is the best looking one.
A small farm with a polytunnel and hens
A small hen farm will not cause too much trouble and it is always an additional way to enjoy the plot. Hens are interesting companions that can also help us gardening. Their fertilizer will definitely be useful, it can be used to improve the soil. Although the foil tunnel significantly reduces the occurrence of pests, minor leaks may lead to pest invasion. Sometimes opening the door for a moment or introducing them through clothes result in dozens of them inside the facility. Instead of using artificial means, once in a while, you can leave a few chickens in the tunnel to remove them. You have to be careful though and keep an eye on them. Because they are messy creatures that could damage crops.
When starting breeding hens under cover
That was just the beginning, and there are still a few steps to run the henhouse. We want to prepare the beginner breeder for this task as best as possible, so we encourage you to follow the topic on the website.
In the next tutorials on home breeding, we will describe specific practices and activities that should be systematically implemented. What to care for, what to avoid and what to expect. How to ensure that animals have appropriate conditions for development , growth and life.