Will hoey

[ChickenGeorge2]

How many chickens can a cube accomodate, we have unlimited free ranging space and 3 x 1mtr run extensions.

At present we have 6x Isa Warrens, 2x Brahmas, 1x Vorwerk and 1x Silver Sussex.

[Eggstatic!]

The cube holds 6 with the standard run and 10 with the extension or no run. I have been checking this out as i am getting my in November

[ChickenGeorge2]

Thanks for the reply, no more chickens then

[The Dogmother]

The cube holds 6 with the standard run and 10 with the extension or no run. I have been checking this out as i am getting my in November

 

I know the official figures, but I think that 10 hens in a cube with a run and extension is optimistic unless they are free ranging all day. I have a cube with an extension on the run and have 12 bantams in it. They free range during daylight hours, but I wouldn't want any more in the run and they are half the size of big hybrids.

 

Bear in mind that over-crowding can lead to pecking and bullying.

[MaggieMcHen]

My new secure run is to be 24' by 12' x 5'6 (7.2m x 3.6m x 2m in 'new money' ) the cube will be out side so they have a good space to 'free range' I can't let them into the rest of the garden except when I am there and VERY vigilant.

 

What are peoples ideas on a reasonable/good number to have when I get more hens to join my remaining 3 after we were foxed several weeks ago............ I was thinking of adding about 7 or so.

 

Also is there an optimum time to get them? - Will POLs be available at any time, even during the winter?

[ChickenGeorge2]

Our ladies free range 7 days a week from 8am till bed time currently 6.30pm they are never confined to the run. The cube is only for sleeping and laying and keeping them safe at night, just wondered if the cube could sleep more than 10 as they only take up half of the available space when they settle.

[MaggieMcHen]

Our ladies free range 7 days a week from 8am till bed time currently 6.30pm they are never confined to the run.

 

Mine were in the same lucky position until a month ago when we lost 4 to the fox - now I'm afraid it just isn't going to happen - hence the big run being built.

[Janty]

I have had 15 sleeping in a cube but that was their choice. Mine also free range every day from 6.30 through to 6.30 so they choose where to go to bed.

[Egg Lou]

I have four hybrids in the 3m run with limited free ranging every day, my 3 pekins will be joining them in a few weeks so I have just bought another run and extension.

 

..so i'll have 7 hens (3 bantams, 4 hybrids) in what equals a run with 3 extensions! I'm just happier giving them as much room as possible to avoid pecking etc..

 

I guess it depends on free range time though and what your chooks are used to

[Helen&Lee]

I have 4 Brahmas and 5 others in a cube.

 

I think that is the limit - they are not squashed and I do see space but will leave it at that.

 

They do have a bigger run - a run and converter would not be enough for them IMO.

 

Bear in mind Brahma's don't reach full adulthood until around 18 months old, mine are around that now and I've definately seen a growth spurt in the last 6 months...

[moochoo]

I have 11 hybrids in a cube and 3 metre run. They also free range every day. I wouldn't have any more than that though. There is more room in the cube itself for more but the run really restricts how many you get.

[ChickenGeorge2]

Thanks everyone looks like I will have to get another cube if I want some more chickens, will wait until spring before I decide.

[bringmesunshine]

I've currently got 3 Buff Orpingtons, 1 Light Sussex X and three Buff X pullets in my cube with the standard run. There's plenty of room in the Cube itself for several more chooks (especially as they cram into the nesting box) but I agree that it's the run that's the issue. Mine are out in a 50m grass run from 8am til 4pm (when I leave for work) and as we're so close to winter, it'll do them for now but come spring I can see that I'll need an extension for the run. Apart from the crowding issue, I need to move the Cube every other day as they scratch the grass to bits in just a few hours each morning.

[The Dogmother]

Have you thought about having your cube in a permanent position?

[bringmesunshine]

In an ideal world, that would be fantastic - a permanent site with two different runs, to be rotated every few weeks to give the grass a chance to recover. But I'm currently housing all the pigs and chickens at a friend's, so don't want to put a permanent base down as it's not my land! Scratched grass recovers a lot better than grass under a thick layer of bark.

 

But if it was my land, then I'd site the house in a large aviary on bark so they can get up when they like and not be restricted (also useful if we get an outbreak of avian flu as they'll be protected and live in there for the duration) and then have two large grass runs, one on either side, so they can roam to their hearts' content.

 

One day ... one day

[MaggieMcHen]

I've currently got 3 Buff Orpingtons, 1 Light Sussex X and three Buff X pullets in my cube with the standard run. There's plenty of room in the Cube itself for several more chooks (especially as they cram into the nesting box) but I agree that it's the run that's the issue. Mine are out in a 50m grass run from 8am til 4pm (when I leave for work) and as we're so close to winter, it'll do them for now but come spring I can see that I'll need an extension for the run. Apart from the crowding issue, I need to move the Cube every other day as they scratch the grass to bits in just a few hours each morning.

If your run is 50 m why do you need to think twice about more hens? or is it a typo?

[bringmesunshine]

It was actually ChickenGeorge2 who wanted more hens but can't fit them in! I was just responding and then got sidetracked!

 

Having said that, I would like another 2/3 layers and there's more than enough room for them in the Cube but the run as is really couldn't cope - certainly not when the days get longer as I work evenings so have to shut them up by 4. Fine in December, a bit rubbish for the chooks in June!