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

[Jen&Rog]

Hello

 

The time has come and we're considering upgrading to a Cube . But one of our hens has a bit of a dodgy leg, she walks quite stiffly now, running is a problem (it's more of a hop and a flap when she runs towards food!) - would she cope with the ladder? It may be that we replace it with a duckboard and less of a steep slope. Let me know what you think!

 

Thanks,

 

Jennie

[chelsea]

none of our hens have got on with the ladder (even our most agile one), so hubby made a platform table which has a ladder leading up from the ground to the platform and then another ladder leads from the platform into the cube. This ladder is placed on top of the existing cube ladder. I feel the rungs on the cube ladder are too far apart and sometimes quite slippery for less mobile hens.

[redfrock]

Our Ruby has always been lame, so we also built a ramp and placed it over the cube ladder. It has got batons all the way up to act as foot holds, and she has no problem with it. She couldn't manage the Omlet ladder though.

[Egluntyne]

I have a small tree stump at the bottom of mine to give them a leg up.

 

I put it there originally when my ex-batts moved into the cube, as they were not strong enough initially to negotiate the ladder unaided......and I have never got round to shifting it!

[Jen&Rog]

Thanks for your replies, looks like the ladder issue is not insurmountable ( what a terrible joke). So that's one less excuse for not getting a cube!

 

We're looking at getting some more hens and can't choose so far between 3 different types - Bovan Nera, Sussex Hybrid and possibly a Belle Blue/Haze, although I think this is a biggie!

 

Hen keeping is very addictive!

[redfrock]

Bluebelle really isnlt all that big. Mine is pretty much in line with my other hens. Bigger than my Suffolk Blacktail, but smaller than my Amber Star and Daiseybelles if that is any help. I would say she is probably a similar size to my Speckledy

[Guest]

i always thought it was bizarre that it doesn't go all the way to the floor

[Gallina]

My hens are much happier now I have attached a ramp to the Cube ladder. They love perching on it, so it gives them some extra scope.

 

I thought the ladder was OK when I saw my Cochin hop up it. But one morning I saw her coming down (which I thought would be easier) and it was a sad sight. Then I had a hen with an inexplicable leg sprain, and I had to do something.