The Ives Clan Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 We're in a quandary? Our Eglu arrives on Wednesday complete with Gingernut ranger and Miss Pepperpot. We wanted a white star to complete the family, however we've been advised it is cruel to introduce one chicken to two that have been raised together. We would quite happily purchase another little chicken but don't want to crowd their living space. I know the Eglu states 2-4 chickens but we don't want them falling over one another in the run. What does everyone else think? Ps they will be allowed out of their run when we are at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Hi there, I would say no more than four in an eglu, five at a push. They do love snuggling up together when its bedtime but as you say, maybe bit of a squash during the day. Are you planning on letting them free range because I think that makes a huge difference to them being kept in. Obviously difficult if you have work/out all day but is fun to watch them enjoy/trash the garden. BTW we have a cube with six and three chicks but they are out most days. We also have an outer run as well as the extension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 ooops missed that last bit. if that's the case I would say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Four will be fine in the eglu - it's the run space that is more of an issue. You will really need a converter on the eglu run for 4 chickens (I used to have 4 in an eglu with converter and they were fine). I'd recommend that even if they are freeranging a lot of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ives Clan Posted September 22, 2008 Author Share Posted September 22, 2008 Thanks for the advice, the chickens will be freerange whenever we are at home but cant risk the foxes or buzzards!!! Looks like we'll have to invest in a converter. Was only supposed to be having two chickens but we've escalated to a flock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Thanks for the advice, the chickens will be freerange whenever we are at home but cant risk the foxes or buzzards!!! Looks like we'll have to invest in a converter. Was only supposed to be having two chickens but we've escalated to a flock It happens surprisingly quickly! (I started off with 4, now I have 10!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ives Clan Posted September 22, 2008 Author Share Posted September 22, 2008 Has anyone got 4 chooks without the run convertor as the measurements are looking quiet long in our garden???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Has anyone got 4 chooks without the run convertor as the measurements are looking quiet long in our garden???? I originally ordered std eglu + 4 chooks from Omlet. When it first arrived it looked huge in my garden, but within 2 weeks I realised that the run was IMO not big enough for 4 birds (even though mine free range loads). 2 weeks later I ordered a converter and again, initially it looked huge, now I've just got used to it. And I got annoyed with myself for having to pay postage instead of getting it all on order 2 wks before. So, if you have 3 chooks a standard run would be OK. 4 chooks, I personally would say definately a converter. Even though mine free range most of the day, when I'm on holiday and they spend a week in the slammer it is vital. When the chooks first arrive they look small and seem to have more room, but they soon grow and fill the run up. So if you want 4 chooks and can squeeze in a converter too, I would recomend it. Or just order the std run and see how you go like I did (but factor in extra postage to order converter separately). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchtoast Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Hi, I've got 3 in a run + converter + free ranging almost all day most days. I wouldn't like any more in it if they have to be in all day like they were for a week at summer hol time. Also, we introduced our 3rd chicken after a short while and although it was successful, she is a bit of a loner, bit flighty, doesn't like to be picked up and has been broody for the last 4 weeks (started during the holiday week)! She also a bit of a hen pecker. The Omlet two are lovely and I wish I'd got three at the same time. I'd have had 2 gingernut rangers; she's the friendliest but Phoebe, the Mrs Pepperpot, has a lovely personality too. Oh, and Pandora, the Bovans Nera is a bit noisy whereas the other two only call out if there is a worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 We wanted a white star to complete the family, however we've been advised it is cruel to introduce one chicken to two that have been raised together. Could you get a white star on Wednesday? If they were all put in the Eglu together at the same time, I'm sure they would be fine. The white star would need to be about the same age though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 I got a second hand eglu and it came with 2 suprise guests! A warren and a light sussex, they are bestest buddies, but I only lasted a week before I got 2 more ladies. Introductions have gone fine even though they were so close. The room in the eglu is more than enough for 4 but I have bought a converter and extension piece from someone on the forum who dpesn't use them anymore for when I can't free-range them. Either get your extra ladies on the same day or you will need a rabbit hutch and second run and a will to prepared to go through a very slow introduction process. Good luck, you'll have a blast no matter what you do, I guarantee it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 The Eglu chickens are raised in large numbers so it is perfectly possible that your two won't know eachother particularly well, if at all, especially as they are different breeds. I'd get the White Star on the day you get the Eglu, ot before if you have somewhere to keep her and put her in with the others. A few hours shouldn't make a massive difference to any bonding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ives Clan Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Thank you for all your help. Off to get the White Star tomorrow so we can introduce them all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Fantastic So eggcited for you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 We had to introduce a new chook about 4 days after we got the first lot (three) because one had to be sent back because she was poorly; it was fine, no probs at all. I think that as long as the new one is introduced within a couple of days of the others arriving, it will not be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepie Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 we have 2 pepperpots and a gingernut in our eglu and standard run. they seem very happy in there during the day when we're all out but we do let them run from about 3:30pm until they take themselves off to bed. I don't know if anyone else has found this but we tend to get more eggs if they stay in the eglu until they have laid for the day - I think when we let them out they go mad and forget to lay!! Hope yours all settle in OK. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 we have an eglu and converter and 3 hens, we got our third hen a week after our first two, and even thought they were from the same breeder, it took, a week or two was it ??? of very slow introductions, and dividing the girls between their eglu and a large cat box, inside a dog crate...worked out fine, and they are great together now I'd love more chicknes and wish we'd got 4 or even a cube and lots more..(husband says no!!!) best of luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
