What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[littleredhen]

Has anyone raised chicks from hatching in an eglu? I currently have 2 broodies sitting on one nest box and clutch of eggs. I was planning on seperating them when the eggs hatch and putting one hen and chicks in a rabbit hutch which would mean leaving the other in the eglu with no chicks, aaah! I was just wondering if it was possible to adapt the eglu house in some way to make it suitable for baby chicks then they could have some babies each. I was thinking of maybe covering the roosting bars with something. Has anyone had little ones in an eglu?

[mostin]

From reading other peoples comments on this forum people take the bars out of the eglus with chicks and young hens, but I have no experience of either. I am sure someone will be along in a moment to give some proper advice to you.

 

Good luck with the babies.

[Egluntyne]

I haven't hatched chicks, but I did acquire some eight week old girls a couple of months ago. I took the bars out for the first month and filled the poo tray with Aubiose so that they ahd something to walk on and not slip about and injure themselves.

 

When they were about 12 weeks I put the bars in, and filled them up to the top with Aubiose, and that seemed to work.

[BeckyBoo]

Hi there, we've done it twice. We, as stated, just took the wooden roosting bars out and made sure there was a level layer of bedding so the chicks could walk straight out of the door without having to jump if you get my drift. They managed the Eglu easily although obviously I had to use a chick drinker and their food is in a cat bowl. I'm really happy with them in it as it's been SO cold and blowy yet they're all snug under Mum sitting in the nice yellow house

 

What are you hatching and when are they due?

 

Mrs B

[littleredhen]

Thanks for the advice, I would like to keep them in the eglu if poss so it is reassuring that other people have done it. We are hatching white silkie bantams and they are due on or Tues or Wed next week (hopefully!)

[The Dogmother]

I have hatched in a rablu before. You will need a bit of wood to make a slope for them to get in the door, non-slip surface inside for the first week and a cover over the run to make it waterproof. I take it that you have all the necessary feed, waterers and food containers.

 

I wouldn't split the hens - the one without chicks will pine. Leave them both to brood them - the little ones will need the extra warmth at this time of year.