4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Emma&lewie]

Hello there.

hope all is well!

I have been reading some of the post on the forum, and am really keen to extend my family with the feathered friends,

However want to get it right before I order them and my eglu,

I dont have a massive garden and although Im at home with my too young children I do want the chickens to be able to free range as much as possible, when Im here

my question is how many chickens would you recomend me getting? as I have read that three is better than two, but Im concerned that it may be a bit cramped for them, as my garden is on split levels and not the best lay out for an extention of the run,

As Im a total novice I was planning to get my chickens from omlet as peace of mind and guidence appealed to me!!

and do I need special wood chip as I was hoping to put the eglu and run on the childrens play area!

any advice would be greatly appriciated!!

Emma.

[ali-s]

Hello Emma, welcome to the forum

 

Why don't you go for Bantams an Eglu and standard run will easily house 4 Bantams.

 

There a lots of pretty Bantam breeds to choose from. They are easy to look after, they eat less and their poos are smaller Bantams are a lot kinder to your garden as well. Their eggs are smaller (perfect size for young children to eat) although the yolk is the same size as a larger Hens and the white part is smaller. Bantams do stop laying through the winter months but I think you appreciate the eggs more when they start laying again.

 

If your garden is quite small I think I would go for a permanent site for the Eglu and put either Hemcore or auboise (Horse bedding) in the run. Every few weeks rake out the run material and replace with new. Maybe use a netting barrier for free ranging so that your children are not playing amongst the poo, all chickens poo a lot Bantams and larger breeds.

 

Let us know what you decide and a few photos would be nice

[Olly]

Welcome to the forum!

 

I don't know much about bantams, but I reckon three chickens in a standard Eglu is fine if they're going to be able to free range a lot of the time. From what you've said, they would get several hours free-range time a day, and I think on that basis three would be perfect.

 

Two is fun - and that's what I started with - but if anything happens to one, and sadly sometimes it does, then you have to go through the business of finding a new friend and introducing them.

[Egluntyne]

I have three ex-batts in a standard Eglu at the mo and they are fine.

 

The do free range most days though.

[TAJ]

I have a small garden with three in an eglu - totally manageable for the novice.

 

Tracy

[Emma&lewie]

thanks to all that have replied to my question..... three it is then I think!!!

its just a shame that I have to wait till late summer to get them

Still I didnt think it was right to get them until our garden was ready and we had been on hoilday!

still good things come to those who wait and all that!!