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

[frazzled]

Hi

 

We've got a cube on order and 4 chickens but have now decided we definitely only want 3 chickens at most.

 

The space we have will fit either an eglu or cube but not with any extensions or converters.

 

Now wondering whether to change order to 2 chickens + eglu or 3 chickens + cube.

 

Keep changing my mind every 5 minutes.

 

Can anyone help?

[Chickvic]

I have 3 chickens in just an eglu with standard run and they are fine, they are let out to free range every day from about 4pm til 7 or 8. Longer at the weekends. The chickens get along fine and we have never had any problems!

[frazzled]

Thanks for that, I could probably do the same - but not in winter. What are you planning to do then.

 

Would also be worried about foxes when I'm out taxiing the children.

 

I think I'm back to my original indecision!

[Yolky]

I have only had the girls a day but I have 3 chooks in the standard run. My friend is upgrading and kindly said I could have her converter so there will be a bit more room for them then. I also bought the omlet netting so they can free range when I am at home. I mostly sit in my back room with patio doors onto the garden so can keep an eye out.

 

From what I have read on the forum if you are sure you wouldn't want any more chickens then I think that the eglu would be better as the cube may be a bit big for just three. I might be wrong though and I am sure an experienced cube owner may be along to help soon.

[chelsea]

the cube is huge, I have 4 chooks in the cube but could easily fit in more at roosting times.

 

The problem with more chickens is the run itself, 4 in a standard cube run would be adequate.

 

I love my eglu (have both) and that is sufficent for 2-3 hens, you could even get in 4 if you had extensions on the eglu run.

 

It really is up to you, lots of things to think about - firstly cost, and space and then if you think you will really want more chickens (as it does get addictive) the cube might be your better choice.

[Steve.]

I had a eglu on order with 3 chickens, then went to a cube with 5 chickens. We don't regret it. We've just ordered a run-extension

[Lesley]

We definitely only wanted two hens - and very quickly had 8.... and two Eglus!

 

I'd stick with the cube!

[Gallina]

The Cube has many advantages over the Eglu and makes a much better use of space, so if I could only have one, I would just have the Cube.

 

But both is the real answer, if you had the room.

 

The standard Cube run is very small. If you could fit a standard Eglu and run, you should be able to fit in an extension to the Cube run. It makes it a better shape.

 

You are right to be worried about foxes. They are a real problem. Your hens will be safer in the cube run than in the Eglu run.

[Janty]

I would also stick with the cube. We have four ex-batts in the cube with run and two extensions. When I had to keep them in due to bird flu, they had plenty of space and although I felt horrible keeping them in, I knew that they had enough room to move freely. You can also fit higher perches in the cube run. My girls love these.

[frazzled]

Oh dear - I was erring towards an eglu. Can anyone back this up !!!

[Yolky]

Are you really sure you only want three? If so go for the eglu and converter. The eglu holds it value well so if you did change your mind then you could always upgrade at a later date.

 

For me three chooks are plenty. There are 5 of us in the family and I am sure that there will be more than enough eggs for us and some left over.

[Snowy]

Sorry, I'd go for the cube as well. Even with just three in the eglu, the run is better with the converter. The cube with the standard run is perfect for three, and there is so much more space in the run - plus if they have to be confined to quarters for any length of time you can customise the run by adding perches and things. The eglu run doesn't give you quite as much flexibility. Plus ease of cleaning is much better - everything is at waist height, dead simple.

[Snowy]

Are you really sure you only want three? If so go for the eglu and converter. The eglu holds it value well so if you did change your mind then you could always upgrade at a later date.

 

For me three chooks are plenty. There are 5 of us in the family and I am sure that there will be more than enough eggs for us and some left over.

 

There are five in our family - and four chickens was just not quite enough! Especially once you get baking with those lovely eggs, then want to give some away, then they slow down over winter and suddenly you miss your eggs!

[Gallina]

If the hens could vote, they would go for the Cube.

 

The Eglu is fine for hens which are able to free-range for hours each day, but I think it is too small and restricting for hens kept in during daylight: about 16 hours of it a day at this time of year.

 

Have you visited a Cube and Eglu?

[Olly]

If I'm right in understanding what you wrote above, you can fit an Eglu in, but not an Eglu with a converter.

 

In that case, I would definitely go for the Cube - even without an extension it gives your hens more space. It's not the sleeping arrangements that you need to worry about, an Eglu will hold 4 chickens - it's the run space.

 

Personally I wouldn't want more than 2 chickens in an Eglu with a standard run, unless they could have a lot of free-ranging time.

[frazzled]

I guess from reading these posts if we go for an eglu we need to stick to 2 chickens. So maybe we should splash out and get a cube with three especially as we've got 3 children.

 

I am really certain we don't want more than 3 - I couldn't face the poo!! and the garden being trashed.

 

What are the pros and cons of having 2 v 3 chickens?

 

I need a fairy godmother to make up my mind for me

 

Whatever we get will be on a permanent run, probably flags with bedding - the eglu would be easier to lift off and clean. Can you tilt the cube up while you clean underneath

 

Thanks everyone for your posts - they are helping

[Yolky]

Are there any cubes and eglus in your local area to visit (have a look in the 'visit an eglu' section) as Gallina says it would help you.

 

For me cost was one of the issues. I got a recon eglu and so the difference in cost between that and the cube was too big for me. It took me a while to save up for the eglu as it was. I orignally was going to only get two chickens but from reading on here wanted three incase something happened to one of them I wouldn't have to go through intros or anything so when a friend offered me her converter I quickly added another chicken.

 

However I have only been an eglu owner for 48hours and I haven't seen a cube in the flesh yet.

[frazzled]

We went to visit a cube yesterday and it was really helpful, it made our minds up on not having more than 3 chickens and on putting it on a permanent site.

 

Would really like to visit an Eglu now. Recently there was a post from someone in Bramhall, can anyone remember the name

[Egluntyne]

Is **this** the thread?

[frazzled]

Yes -thank you

[frazzled]

I think we've decided - an eglu with 2 chickens

 

What do you think

[chelsea]

we started with an eglu and 2 chickens, it was the perfect introduction.

 

you could always expand/upgrade later on if you feel like it. Eglu's hold their money very well or you could keep it and have 2 !!

[frazzled]

Thanks Chelsea - would you ever put 3 in an eglu without an extension?

[chelsea]

if they free ranged a lot they might be ok. But you could get the converter which is the bit you add before the extension (you need it anyway to add extensions), we had the converter on ours as we felt guilty if we went away.

[frazzled]

We better stick with two