These days many of us are getting sick to death of mass produced tasteless supermarket food. What better than to nip into the back garden to get your fresh eggs for breakfast? Knowing the hens have been well kept, fed and loved.

Security is the main consideration. Foxes, mink, dogs and sometimes cats can be a problem when keeping chickens so make sure you have an adequate run made with 1/2 inch or 1 inch 'chicken mesh'. You will also need to buy or build accommodation for your hens. It must be dry and have a comfortable nestbox with a suitable perch for the birds to roost on. There are many great chicken ark designs available that are economical to buy, mobile and easy to maintain. The chicken ark is a great introduction to keeping hens and can be kept in any size back garden. A chicken ark is also a good way of maintaining an 'organic lawn' as the bird droppings will fertilise the lawn grass as you move the ark around (move your ark once a week).

Chicken Ark designs.