The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Chris H on October 24, 2013, 12:34:17 pm

Title: Polytunnel
Post by: Chris H on October 24, 2013, 12:34:17 pm

Has anyone used a polytunnel for winter housing for hens? I could add laying boxes and a perch. It has part net doors so air flow would be fine, the tunnel is 10X40feet and I have around 30 hens.

Title: Re: Polytunnel
Post by: taz08 on October 24, 2013, 12:36:20 pm

i know alot of folk that do ,, as long as theres plenty  air  blowing about there fine

Title: Re: Polytunnel
Post by: Rosemary on October 25, 2013, 07:54:25 am

Is there a danger that they will peck through the cover - you know, see and insect, peck, hole?
Although it wouldn't be that hard to block their access to the sides, I suppose

Title: Re: Polytunnel
Post by: hughesy on October 25, 2013, 08:23:20 am

I've thought about doing this but never have. I would put something at the sides to make sure they can't peck the cover. A line of old pallets maybe? I don't worry about them being out in even the worst weather though they're very hardy and well able to keep themselves warm.

Title: Re: Polytunnel
Post by: Penninehillbilly on October 25, 2013, 12:15:56 pm

After a fox attack last  year I keep my remaining few in a polytunnel, but in a large cage overnight, a hungry fox may scratch through the cover and get in?

Title: Re: Polytunnel
Post by: Bramblecot on October 25, 2013, 12:34:20 pm

We have been putting up a tunnel over the last couple of weeks and can't keep the  :chook: :chook: :chook: out!  I think they would peck the lower sides through boredom.

Title: Re: Polytunnel
Post by: chrismahon on October 25, 2013, 08:31:47 pm

We used to put our Leghorns in a greenhouse for warmth over Winter. They got very bored. A polytunnel isn't fox proof and as said may be damaged by chickens accidentally scratching through it.

Title: Re: Polytunnel
Post by: Connor on October 25, 2013, 10:18:35 pm

I have a polytunnel atm but don't use it for the chickens because cold winter nights the chickens wouldn't produce enough heat to keep the polytunnel warm you may need a heater in it i wouldn't advise doing this!!

Title: Re: Polytunnel
Post by: Possum on October 27, 2013, 08:54:28 am

We put our chickens in the polytunnel last winter because their orchard was waterlogged. We put their chicken houses in side the polytunnel so that they had somewhere familiar and warm to sleep. They loved it and thrived. Started laying eggs again in February.


They didn't peck the cover although they did a lot of scratching in the beds which turned out to be the ideal place for a dust bath. I opened one door of the polytunnel in the middle of the day so that they could wander out into the field if they wanted to. However, if the weather was bad they usually chose to stay inside.


I must say that the polytunnel had been incredibly productive this year, which might have something to do with all the chicken manure deposited over the winter!

Title: Re: Polytunnel
Post by: Bodger on October 28, 2013, 04:59:49 pm

Quote from: Chris H on October 24, 2013, 12:34:17 pm

Has anyone used a polytunnel for winter housing for hens? I could add laying boxes and a perch. It has part net doors so air flow would be fine, the tunnel is 10X40feet and I have around 30 hens.

A friend of mine did and a fox went through the side of the polytunnel and killed all his chickens.