2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[pbfhpunk]

Hi I have a cube with the 2 metre run and extension and 6 chickens, how many can I keep in a space like that, they freerange for a couple of hours each evening too.

 

The plan was to add 2 every year and maybe get an eglu with 4 bantams next year, but I'm far too impatient and am wondering if it's ok to have 10 in the cube with that size run.

 

In an ideal world I want one of the massive 40+ hen houses and secure garden!! as I'm sure we all do!!

 

Thanks

 

Helen

[StephanieSB]

Hi pbfhpunk,

 

The Omlet website recommends only 6 chickens in the cube w/ 2 meter run. With the extra 1m extension, they say you can have up to 10.

 

But that's by the book, as I don't have hands on cube experience yet. Others on here will surely chime in with their own, first-hand ideas of how many chickens is enough for how much space.

[Egg Lou]

I don't have any experience yet but agree that the published numbers seems a bit high but I guess it depends on how much free ranging they get.. I also have the 3 meter run version due next week and will be having a max of 3/4 chickens as they will be enclosed until 6.30 during the week. I would like to add a couple on a year or so once I am able to increase the run size.

 

I am sure someone with much more knowledge will be able to advise shortly.

[Helen&Lee]

The cube itself will comfortably hold 10 chooks, but most people on here who have that many chooks in a cube have built larger walk-in runs to give the chooks more space.

 

I've never had the Omlet run - so I can't help there I'm afraid.

 

Helen

[Olly]

I've got the Cube with 1 extension, and I have four in there. They seem quite happy (used to be five of them ) but I would not want to increase the numbers, however my chickens get very limited free-ranging time due to work and other commitments.

 

I think if you were able to guarantee several hours out of the run every day, then six or so would be ok. I would dearly like to get a couple more chooks, but I think I'll get another extension before doing so.

[Reynard]

Spookily I've just been discussing this with my OH and she thinks our 5 are the maximum for the run - although we may be able to squeeze in another if someone she knows is as good as his word and gives us another pure breed gratis.

 

We think the main problem is the quick build-up of poop and as a result have been moving them to a new position on the lawn every day, even though we do let them out to free-range under supervision.

 

To us it seems unhygienic for them to peck the ground that is carpeted with their own poop!

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25314

[hilly d]

I've got the cube plus 1m extension which is snug to say the least for my 6 ex-bats. They get to free range quite a bit as I'm reluctant to let them linger for too long in the run: it's such a pain (literally ) to clean out cos of the tiny run door and 6 girls can generate a surprising amount of compost fodder in a very short time.

 

I've got 2 extra 1m sections to add on now which will be great for the girls but will definitely mean I'll have to sort out the problem of the run door.

[Couperman]

We had six in a standard cube run. They were fine in the summer when they could play out a lot, in the winter it turned into a bit of a nightmare to say the least.

 

I was coming home to a bloodbath on a daily basis and built a walk in run to help solve the problem.

 

We are still having trouble with feather plucking and we now have a 10m^2 run and only five hens. It seems to be a hard habit to break once it has started.

 

So in my experience ten would not be happy even with the extension.

 

Maybe we were just unlucky

 

Kev.

[SAB]

I have 6 in Cube with standard run plus one extention. 2 of these chickens are bantams though. This looks OK amount run wise, though there looks loads more room in the Cube itself. Before getting any more, I will be building a walk-in run - I think it would then be fine to go up to the 10 in a Cube.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Hi Helen,

 

There is plenty of room in the Cube coop for ten chickens (maybe even more given that they are happy to squish up together to sleep), it's the run that's the problem.

 

I almost ordered the extension for my four hens, but I'm glad that I waited to see how the standard run worked out. I don't think it's the actual footage that matters the most but the fact that a run which is not moved around (like others, mine is on a base of slabs) is a very limited environment (think bored teenagers!).

 

Thanks to Mr Fox, there is general agreement that hens kept as pets should not free range unsupervised. Because I work from home, I can let my girls out twice a day which seems to be a tolerable situation for them.

 

What I'm taking a long time to say, is that you have to look at the situation in all its complexity. What is "right" for one set of circumstances could be a disaster in another set of circumstances. It's a judgment call!

[Trapper]

I have a cube and 3 extentions, used to have 5 chickens but down to 3. I

don't move my cube and the chickens only free range at weekends.

 

Personally I wouldn't have a smaller run as chickens get bored etc and that's when problems appear. I think that what Omlet say about how many chickens in the coop and run could be that 6 in stand run or 10 with a extention in a cube but with a lot of free ranging I would not like 10 chickens in my 4 meter x 1 meter run, I think they would be to sqashed up and the amount of pooh in that small area would mean constant cleaning, not even aubiose could handle that much pooh in a confind space.

[Gallina]

There are all sorts of variables and opinions, and you have to decide what you think is right.

 

I have decided that four large hens (or five medium ones) in a Cube with one extension is enough (which is why I had to buy a second Cube). People whose hens free-range all the time will think it is not enough; while those who have a full Eglu will think I have room for more.

 

If you have light sandy soil as I have, the poo disappears, so keeping the run in one place isn't a problem.