Pioneer smallholder Roger Mudditt, from Tiphayes Farm in Upottery, has created a range of individually designed, hand-crafted hen houses and runs which provide a safe, warm and happy home for hens.

Pioneer smallholder Roger Mudditt, from Tiphayes Farm in Upottery, has created a range of individually designed, hand-crafted hen houses and runs which provide a safe, warm and happy home for hens. Designed from a hen's point of view, the new hen houses are made using fine quality natural materials, with private cosy nest boxes and ample space and perches for roosting. Tiphayes hen houses are rustic, yet beautiful in style; cedar shingled roofs and a choice of finish ensures that they fit comfortably with their surroundings. Each house and run is unique and is built using exceptionally high standards of workmanship and is guaranteed vermin, fox and badger proof when securely fixed.

Founder of Tiphayes Farm hen houses, Roger Mudditt, has over 20 years of smallholding experience and this knowledge and expertise is poured into each new Tiphayes design and build. "I started keeping chickens in 1984 when we first moved to Devon and I can still remember the names of our first little flock. Over the last few years there has been a definite rise in the number of people who are considering keeping chickens and the current increase in food prices has only reinforced the interest. Keeping hens can be extremely fun and rewarding, but all too often people are put off by the threat of foxes and badgers as unfortunately other hen houses do not always protect the birds as they can be easily turned over by a determined badger. This was a key part of the design and build of our hen houses, which are incredibly strong and when installed securely will withstand even the hungriest of predators," said Roger.

Tiphayes Farm offers a complete bespoke service to new or experienced smallholders, including guidance on which hand-built hen house and run to choose, installation, advice on feeding and care, supply of rare breed chickens, accessories and ongoing support.

From features such as slide out floors to provide easy access for cleaning, to sensor operated automatic doorkeepers which open and close the door to ensure that your chickens are free to roam during the day and kept secure during roosting, the new hen houses from Tiphayes Farm are not only eye-catching and stylish; they are practical, versatile and secure.

Roger continued: "The hen houses I design and build at Tiphayes have been created to offer hens a secure, warm and happy environment with features which make looking after the hens as simple as possible. The materials I use are selected for durability, need minimum care and will give years of trouble free use. I have spent a great deal of time keeping and breeding chickens including a number of rare breeds, selected for their laying qualities on the farm, you really cannot beat the taste of a freshly laid egg, especially when its been laid by a happy and content hen."

Tiphayes Farm has two main hen house designs, the Pent House and Gable Cottage, which are both available with stands and runs. Prices, dimensions and further information can be found on www.tiphayesfarm.co.uk.