sugarplum Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 in the Practical Poultary magazine may 2008 there is an artical about runs and it says that chickens perfer rectangular runs to square ones. i was wondering what shapes your runs are as it sounds abit bazzard to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Well the Eglu and Cube runs are both rectangular. I can't honestly see that chickens would be bothered! If there's food on the floor they don't look much further than the end of their beaks anyway. I think most people build their runs to suit the shape of the garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugarplum Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 thats what i thought. it just sounded a bit wierd thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 in the Practical Poultary magazine may 2008 there is an artical about runs and it says that chickens perfer rectangular runs to square ones. I wonder how many chooks they asked I agree I don't think they mind what shape run they live in as long as they have a happy life with fresh food and water, somewhere nice to shelter from the weather and a nice snug house for night :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I think there may be something in it. My hens walk up and down lengthwise, but never from side to side. I think that what they are saying is that if you have a certain number of panels, the chickens will get more exercise and walking opportunity in a long thin run than if you made a square run covering the same area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I though it was something to do with difficulty in orienting themselves in a dead square run, supposed to be the same with pigs as well. People don't feel comfortable in square rooms either apparently. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I read that article too. It also said that you need to allow the size of an olympic swimming pool for each chook. Ok, slight exaggeration, but I got the idea it wasn't really aimed at anyone keeping chooks on our scale. I thought the square thing was also to do with animals having the instinct not to cross a wide open space because of being spotted by predators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 I thought the square thing was also to do with animals having the instinct not to cross a wide open space because of being spotted by predators. That makes complete sense Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ardene5 Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Hi Has any one thought about butting two eglus with runs together? The problem is the shape of the ends where the door is. But by removing the door ends and adding a joining section it would be able to become a large ark for people who do not have much gardens. Also if this special unit was available and the 2 ends could be joined, by having a door on the side this would allow the hens out when required. Think shape of run does not matter, the only thing that matters is the height, by allowing high head room allows the hens to do natural things. best regards Ian & Valerie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 I think they like to stretch their legs, and if they can have a longer stroll without having to turn a corner, they will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 An autistic woman in the States is an expert on animal welfare because she is able to approach animal behaviour with an uncluttered mindset, if that makes sense. She found, for example, that cows will go willingly and calmly into an abbatoir if the way in is curved rather than straight. The curve encourages their natural curiosity to see what's round the bend while the straightaway sends them into a panic. Don't know if she's done any work on hens, but it seems reasonable that all creatures have some instinctive tendencies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Well all i can go with is mine, it's not very wide but fairly long and they seem very happy. I agree that they seem to move up and down it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...