Our deluxe range of housing is made in our workshop at Newbury by skilled craftsmen. They are constructed from the best quality Scandinavian 5th grade Redwood which will last for many years. We do not use pressure treated timber as most saw mills in the UK leave this wood outside and it does not dry out, this causes lots of problems when manufacturing as the wood shrinks and bends. We have found by using dried timber and then treating with Cuprinol a much longer lasting, more stable house is produced. We pay attention to detail in manufacturing and even sand all edges.
We design our housing as poultry keepers, with 10 years experience we have seen most ideas and seen most mistakes, we learn from those and have built and continue to expand a range of housing based on this experience and knowledge. All units are constructed using 34mm sq planned framing and 44mm x 34mm on our larger units. Cladding is 15mm tongue and groove boarding and flooring is 15mm Tongue and groove or on large units 18mm Marine Plywood. All timber framing is screwed together and cladding is double nailed. Our roofs are made in cladding as felt roofs are a red mite haven and Ondulin is simply cardboard and tar – need we say anymore.
All screws are double plated, and the houses are finished to a very high standard. We build good ventilation into our units to keep humidity levels pleasant and disease free for the birds.
All bolts, hinges, and fittings are heavy duty and weldmesh is galvanised. We always use heavy gauge weldmesh (galvanised after manufacture because this is the best!), on our runs because foxes can, and do, chew through normal chicken wire.
Our houses are completely fox-proof (and badger-proof) (providing you remember to shut the pop-hole of course!)
We recommend that after 9 to 12 months you apply a new coat of Cuprinol to the timber boards of the house to keep it watertight. By then the timber will have been through a season of movement with temperature changes and will have settled in place. Repeat once every few years. There will always be some small movements, as it is timber after all, but with care your unit will provide years of service.
Our express range of housing is imported from China, the units are built to a high standard but using lighter duty materials compared to our deluxe units. Framework is typically 30mm x 15mm and cladding 10mm. They provide a cost effective solution to housing your hens and should last several years. For further information please contact us. |
