poachedegg Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Our Eglu is all set up and waiting to go (thanks to OH getting really wet and muddy!) and we were planning to go to Garden Poultry either tomorrow or Sun to pick 3 chickens.......however, as we are not getting our convertor until Wednesday, the run only suitable for 2 and them having to stay in for 5 days - do you think we should wait for the convertor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 I don't think you should wait I had three chickens in a regular Eglu and they were fine with 2/3 hours freeranging every day. I don't think many chicken owners stick to the full five days before letting them out, I let mine out after 2 days and they were absolutely fine Go on get them at the weekend, you know you want to. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 Go on get them at the weekend, you know you want to. Tessa How did you guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Go on get them at the weekend, you know you want to. Tessa How did you guess? Chicken keeper's intuition Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 I would go for the three, they won't mind being a bit squashed for a few days, they will be busy sussing out their accomodation anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 When I last got new ones they didn't even come out of their house for the first few days. OH kept asking me was I sure I'd got 2 as he'd only seen one. I'd do it - but then I'm impulsive and as impatient as a small child when it comes to chooks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Go get 'em! A few days of being in a shorter run won't hurt at all - and they won't know any better, will they! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 *Off to Garden Poultry this weekend* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Get them - we have three with normal size run, although they free-range quite a bit - when you buy them at POL they are not full size anyway, so it would not be an issue in the short term. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 The will be fine. I have 3 ex-batts in an Eglu with just the standard run and they are quite happy. They will be getting the converter when I do a bit of swapping around in a month or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 *Off to Garden Poultry this weekend* Yay! I love chook shopping - are you still set on the Golden Rocket, Copper Black and the Columbian Comet or Sussex Comet? Hope they have what you want in stock. Oooh, I'm all excited and it's not even me - I'm a chicken shopaholic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 11, 2008 Author Share Posted April 11, 2008 *Off to Garden Poultry this weekend* Yay! I love chook shopping - are you still set on the Golden Rocket, Copper Black and the Columbian Comet or Sussex Comet? Hope they have what you want in stock. Oooh, I'm all excited and it's not even me - I'm a chicken shopaholic! They haven't got any Columbian Comet, but when I spoke to them today and explained that I am a complete newbie to chickens, Lisa recommended Amber, Red and Golden Rockets and Sussex Comet for temperament etc. To tell you the truth I just want ones that we like the look of and are suitable for our requirement - though I would like 3 different ones if possible. The only trouble is the closer it comes the more self doubt kicks in - I have read on the forum that this isn't too unsual though!...but then I start reading threads on Foxes and Chicken bullying and different health products I haven't got...........! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 We've ordered the converter to arrive next Thursday having got our 3 on Monday and they're fine in the standard run at present - no free-ranging to-date (5 days) but want more room for when we're away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Don't panic! It'll be fine. Trust me! I've got an amber, she's lovely and so friendly I'm always tripping over her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Sounds like you've decided already but wanted to add my tuppence worth . I had 3 in a standard run for a month or so before I added a converter. They were quite happy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Poached Egg, I'm so excited for you! I was a bit overwhelmed when I saw the nr. of chickens at Garden Poultry. I didn't get past the first shed and took 2 that already lived together. I had no problems with pecking order. I never read all the posts about the advantages of getting 3 chickens. There does some some logic to getting three. I'm ok with my two for now, I'm already plotting on getting 2 bantams next year to go in with the two I've got.... Can't wait to see photos of your new girls! I set my Eglu up on the Saturday morning (it was February so the weekend was the first opportunity I got to get in the garden in the daylight.) Then I was straight off to pick up my chickens. I was nervous and did wait until the following weekend before letting them out of their run, and then I waited until it was about 40 minutes before sunset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Ooooh exciting They'll be fine in the run for a few days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Poached egg - are you going today or tomorrow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 12, 2008 Author Share Posted April 12, 2008 Poached egg - are you going today or tomorrow? Well we were going to go tomorrow as OH (even though he works at home) works on a Saturday.......however got up this morning and where OH has put the eglu (he has put slabs under the actual eglu, not the run, because it was raining loads for the last couple of days, whilst he has been doing the work - the ground is like a boggy quagmire (sp?) and there is a puddle right outside the eglu door. Are these the right conditions to start our chickens off in - or should we wait until it dries up? I know I want the chickens NOW but obviously I want to do the right thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 Can you chuck some aubiose or hemcore dowm in the run to absorb the puddle? Do you have a cover all along the run- that will stop the run getting wet- Ikea(!) sell cheap clear shower curtains so that your girls will get lots of light- needed for egg-laying I think your girls will be fine even if the run is wet- I got my girls & it didn't stop raining for days..... it must be the Omlet effect Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 12, 2008 Author Share Posted April 12, 2008 Can you chuck some aubiose or hemcore dowm in the run to absorb the puddle? Do you have a cover all along the run- that will stop the run getting wet- Ikea(!) sell cheap clear shower curtains so that your girls will get lots of light- needed for egg-laying I think your girls will be fine even if the run is wet- I got my girls & it didn't stop raining for days..... it must be the Omlet effect Go for it! Hi Jules, We have the Winter cover over the run - ordinarily I think it would get still get slightly wet,but because OH did the set up in rubbish weather it is wetter/boggier than normal. I'll do what you suggested and put down some Hemcore. *Fingers crossed* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 We need pictures of your new girls soon Have a great time choosing them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 I'd get them! Just make sure you leave the three chickens in their run for about a week before you let them free range. Otherwise they won't know where to go back and roost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 I've just popped down the garden to let them out- my run & netted area is a quagmire Normally the area stays fairly dry as it's sheltered, but this goes to show just how hard it has rained recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 (edited) The only trouble is the closer it comes the more self doubt kicks in - I have read on the forum that this isn't too unsual though!...but then I start reading threads on Foxes and Chicken bullying and different health products I haven't got...........! IT'S OK TO PANIC.....THAT'S OFFICIAL......from me and everyone else that felt the same way. And just to let you know the paranoia of "have I done the right thing" lasts for a few weeks after you get them too...... It will take 10 mins for you to be besotted when they arrive. They are really easy to take care of. Pellets, water, collect eggs......ditto every day.....clean out once a week. That's it... The only downside is the housework won't get done as you will be in the garden, feet up with a coffee and a camera. Don't buy loads of health products to start with. Just enjoy them for a while first. Everything you need can mostly be ordered online at a touch of a button when you need it. Happy chicken shopping and let us know what you got. Edit to say: I had 4 chickens in a standard run for a week. They were fine. I then ordered a converter after a week. Edited April 12, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
