Considering getting hens - advice needed

timshel.

Hi,
Thinking of buying a couple of hens and just looking for advice on what breed would be best for a beginner.
Its literally just because the egg consumption in my house is so high (prob go through about 6-10 eggs a day here!) and i also know my dad would love to keep em too

Was looking at something like this http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/petaccessories/2828730

or this

http://www.adverts.ie/pet-accessories/chicken-coop-and-feeders/1047593

- would one of these be suitable? the room we're have for the hens would be about 5(ish) ft x 4(ish) ft. although the run looks a bit small, i would be fine with letting them out during the day for about an hour when there's people at home (which there is most of the day) but i do live in an urban area so there are cats about.

I presume after a waterer, feeder and bedding there's nothing else i'd need to get. and what happens in the winter - are they still ok or would u have to buy a heater or something?

and lastly what breed would suit beginners? and where would i buy them?

boxerly

I have 5 ex battery hens which are still quiet delicate and only one is laying:).You will also need to worm them regulary(15 euro for a bottle)which will do lots of hens.Lice and mite powder,antibaterial powder for nicks and cuts.I have mine on poultry tonic and avc conditioner whch are only 1.99 and will last a while.Egg layer pellets were 19 euro for a 20kg bag.If you go through 6-10 eggs per day :)then you will need at least 6 hens:)which I think the house would be a bit small for them.You could build your own?We have just finished our new run(thank god).They will prob lay less in the winter months.As for breed?cant help ye there hehehe,Im still a beginer:).Best of luck when you get them they are great.Mine were nearly bald and were so thin and scared,never saw outside of a cage till they came here:(now they come running to me,one jumps on my shoulder,id sit for hours watching them.They were all sunbathing thismorning and were purring like cats:)..oh and maxi zoo do a big bale of straw for 9.99:)and they like to have a sand bath:) x

timshel.

Aw the poor lil mites, lucky they have you so!
thats another reason i want to get them, so i know theyre not from hens that are kept in terrible conditions.

I measured the space for the coop and it turns out its about 8.5ft x 5.5ft so ive more room than i was thinking.
I also just saw a 2nd hand coop for about €100 that measures roughly that size so hopefully if i get that i can keep more birds.