preparing – Peter Donegan Garden Design & Landscaping

The Chicken Hen House

I had chickens… Long story all covered very recently. I now have four new ones….I have learned a lot recently. A real case of if I knew then what I know now. In brief snippet format here’s what I know

These hens are just over 6 months old.
All hens start laying at approximately 7 months
The run I have is over 6′ tall.
Its very sturdy [and built from old timber]
The wire mesh runs to the top and is very well attached
Foxes wont go in if there are dogs present
The shed faces away so I can collect the eggs/ clean out easily
The hens will only sit in the hatches if they are laying
They will eat anything… within reason!
It will take them 2 weeks to settle in
They are very friendly
I have called them The Supremes
Cocks are very loud – I didn’t take one
They will be fed on barley and whatever is leftover
My green waste bin should be very empty from now on
there’s a lot of money to be wasted on bad ‘eco’ books
not one book on sale could tell me what it would be like
Eggs are expensive
Eggs can be bartered for potatoes
Don’t cut the grass for the hens before they arrive – they will mow it for you
hens like a little bit of height a pole to perch upon

Regarding what I built for the hens… here’s the facts

the area of the run is 5m x 2.3m and just over 2 metres tall
the shed I got is a 6′ x 4′
the hens ‘boxes’/ rooms [?] are the shed width divided by 4-ish and are 40cm off the ground. Do include a lip so the eggs don’t fall out.
the wire mesh is just ordinary chicken wire – as its called
I used the green ‘tennis court’ type mesh because it was left over and I had ran out of chicken wire
the timber is approx 1.5″ x 2.5″ – it was whatever I had lying around
the timbers are 2′ below ground level and compacted in. No concrete was used.

anything else I’ve missed out on? what do you think… ?

Oh and have a happy easter 😆

activity in the garden this month…

gat the garden in groove... — get the garden in groove...

You may think there is little to do in the brrrr freezing cold this January. But, it is what you do now that will prove so fruitful in a few months time. Aside from the aesthetic gains to be reaped and after listening to RTE1 for too long recently – where the news, primetime and even the weatherman depressed me – I realised we all need something to smile about. I had to get outside.

But there is also another [moreso recently more serious] side to gardening and that is of keeping active. According to one report, if maintained for at least 30 minutes gardening can be so beneficial. They say…

Digging the garden burns between 150 and 200 calories per half hour
using a push mower burns 180 calories in women in half an hour and 240 calories in men, while using a motor mower it drops to 135 and 180 calories each.
planting, pruning and trimming flowers, shrubs and trees gives a moderate workout, burning 135 calories in women and 180 in men in half an hour.
weeding might be the scourge of most gardeners, it burns off 140 calories in women and over 180 in men per half hour

So having dusted down those tools and psyched yourself; having saved your petrol money so as you might drive to the gymnasium and having sold those spandex tracksuits 😉 here’s what you can do

trees, trees, trees – the best time to plant bare roots and rootballs types as they’re still dormant. They’re also great value.
tree’s, the Christmas tree – it could sit there for ages. Recycle it!
weeds – start doing it now. [see above]
mulch – i find it warms my hands! Buy it loose or by the metre cubed. It’s better value.
tree’s – adjust those straps and buckles. Not too loose mind you.
hedging – bareroots are still available – plant them now.
fertilise – yes fertiliser. If you use a slow release version [not 10:10:20 style] you can apply it now as you are planting or as you are mulching.
buy Grandma’ a rose plant – and pot it up yourself. Great value and she’ll love you for it
edging – re-edge those beds. Use a length of timber to stop damage on the lawn if necessary
prune – remove any dead or diseased wood from your trees
fruit – trees [more] are always good
vegetables – plan your plot for the new year – now!
birds – fill the feeders
garden hygiene – a good garden ‘spring clean’ so to speak is always necessary. It prevents a build of pests and diseases.
planting now means no watering – good for the environment

However, if you’re like my Dad 😉 you’ll probably just do the 30 mins and leave the rest to someone else….. That said, a great time to get a head start is now. Enjoy 🙂