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Pekins are better off kept indoors all year round if you intend showing them. Young, growing birds can be let out but they need keeping inside as soon as you pick the show birds out. These conditions also help you to extend the day with artificial light also prevents wild birds from wating the food! It allows for increased handling opportunities and observation of stock.

If, however, you want to see your Pekins wandering around the garden in the sun then there is no harm in letting them live outside. In fact they will love it! You can purchase either small arks which can be moved onto new grass every few days or a larger shed which simply stays in one place. Whichever you go for you should make sure the run is fox proof and secure from cats and dogs.

  • Indoor accommodation should be bright and well ventilated building containing pens of a size and construction to allow for easy access and cleaning.
  • A pair of Pekins will live and breed quite happily in a pen of three feet by two feet, but larger pens can be used to accommodate trios or groups of young birds.
  • Chicken HousePerches can be used providing they are of suitable size. Ideally two inches square, slightly rounded and removable to prevent young birds roosting too early so causing crooked breastbones.
  • They should be positioned at an appropriate height to allow birds to get onto them easily, but high enough to prevent roosting on their nest box.
  • A dropping board under the perches which can be removed easily for cleaning will help keep the floor of the pens cleaner.
  • An ideal litter for the floor is wood shavings or sawdust as it absorbs moisture, does not stain plumage, and gives the birds something to scratch around in.
  • The shavings/sawdust should be changed once a week or as required to prevent the build up of parasites. Hygiene is more important with indoor pens.
  • Damp and dirty floor litter can contain harmful bacteria which can lead to respiratory disease, which, if the building is poorly ventilated, could lead to the infection of all the birds.
  • When cleaning out it is a good idea to spray the floor of the pens with a non-toxic disinfectant before putting in fresh shavings/sawdust.
  • Lice and mites must also be controlled in the same way as described for outdoor housing.
  • An additional problem in poultry houses is Red mite, they hid in crevices, and feed particularly at night on roosting birds.
  • A good way to eradicate them is to thoroughly clean the house, pen and nest boxes, then spray everything, including every nook and cranny, in a suitable solution. Allow to dry before re-introducing the birds. This process will have to be repeated regularly during the summer months as Red mite have a ten day life cycle.