[Smoking Toes]

i have got a 6x4 shed i am converting for six layers , my question is would they ruin the garden if left to roam as this is how i would like to keep them if possible. Do they attract loads of flies, and what breed would u recommend. The garden area is 35 yard x 25 yard. i have got kids and a nice garden and wanted to keep it clean but also wanted the birds to roam if that possible.

[skycat]

Heavy birds like layers will trash your lawn and garden in no time at all. The only poultry I'd let loose in a garden are small bantams that don't have the weight and foot size to scrat up the surface. The small bantam varieties with feathered legs don't scrat much at all: they can't! Barbe d'Ucles are very nice and sweet little birds as a fancy fowl, but don't lay big eggs or all year round.

Keep the layers penned up or you'll regret it: and yes, their droppings do attract flies!

[k94v]

Smoking Toes, on Jul 17 2009, 11:50 AM, said:

i have got a 6x4 shed i am converting for six layers , my question is would they ruin the garden if left to roam as this is how i would like to keep them if possible. Do they attract loads of flies, and what breed would u recommend. The garden area is 35 yard x 25 yard. i have got kids and a nice garden and wanted to keep it clean but also wanted the birds to roam if that possible.

hi mate just put a 6ft x 10ft or 12ft run on the shed x batt birds will do you mate thats what ive got they are great regs steve

[tomandroz]

Hi,

Have to agree with the above post almost all large layers will trash your lawn in no time at all. With regards to which breed? depends on what you want really, if you want lots of eggs, go for one of the hybrids 'black rock' are great layers, or maybe 'light sussex' or a 'ranger' if you want less eggs, and a more person friendly breed try one of the more traditional breeds, or maybe some bantams?

Best of luck,

Tom

;)