Emma&lewie Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 I have three ex-batts in a standard Eglu at the mo and they are fine. The do free range most days though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted May 17, 2008 Share Posted May 17, 2008 I have a small garden with three in an eglu - totally manageable for the novice. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma&lewie Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 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!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
