jill the potter Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Only got my two in September and was advised to only get two if there was a chance that they would not do a lot of free-ranging. This has been fine, but of course once you get them you need more don't you? Particularly when you read the threads about different coloured eggs!!! So, I was thinking...... maybe I could get a couple more girls in the spring. As it turns out they are able to free-range for most of the day and (apart from the mess to the garden) there have been no problems for far. So, back to the original question, how many girlies are comfortable in an eglu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I think you could add another 2 as long as you had extension(s) to your run. I don't have an eglu so I'm sure someone who does will be along to advise better. The only thing I will say is make sure you have alternative accomodation for introductions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catherinej Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I think its 4 - Im getting another 2 soon so i'll have 4 in total. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I reckon if you have 4 standard breeds (not biggun's) and the converter and extension & some free ranging when possible it should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Moochoo is right - you could easily fit another 2 girls into the eglu but you would need to extend the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 4 is fine in the eglu with an extension, but from my own experience they do have to all get on really well, any trouble & you've had it! I got 3 ex bats all together. An Eglu & for a few weeks all was well. Then the major bullying styarted with little one mecilessly chased pinned screaming in a corner & attacked. whilst free ranging there is roon to get away, but I feel there is no height to get up out of the way & I found no succesful satisfying way of reating barriers in the long narrow shape. This was in May, only now since Dec & our walk in run October with mezanines straw bales and more space (also a friend rescued in August for bullied lass) and they can now be left 3 hours acceptably! (not needed longer! However that is just my opinion & like the thread about mixing bantams & big youns, I think you have to have a plan B. I can sooo see why you want more cos now mine are settled... ........................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 4 will be fine....you need one nesting box per 4 hens, but you will definitely need and extension, even if they free range for short periods. The standard run definitely isn't big enough for 4 hens. You will need separate temporary accommodation for the intoductions too, if you want to minimise the inevitable squabbles. Info **here**. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 We've had 5 in our eglu - but I have got an 18' x 9' run. When they were all laying I just took the back roosting bars out during the day and let them lay there as well as the nest. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ives Clan Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 We have 4 girls in our eglu. They are all happy & we have 3 to 4 eggs every day. We were advised to get the extension but did not bother as decided to let our girls free range all day. We have thought of getting rid of the run altogether as they will not settle in it even when its raining (they prefer to stand in the shelter of the shed). Go for it and let them free range as much as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 My hens get limited 'free ranging' behind a netted enclosure I have four hens in the Eglu with standard run and converter (total run length of 3m) they seem happy and have enough room to do their own thing and while I think its perfectly acceptable I think they would be happier with a larger run and think an extension to make the run 4m would be more ideal if funds (and long cleaning arms!) permit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 My hens get limited 'free ranging' behind a netted enclosure I have four hens in the Eglu with standard run and converter (total run length of 3m) they seem happy and have enough room to do their own thing and while I think its perfectly acceptable I think they would be happier with a larger run and think an extension to make the run 4m would be more ideal if funds (and long cleaning arms!) permit loooonnnggg cleaning Arms yes a cleaning hatch would be good got a walk in now, but do like the idea of moving run about on greass, my long Narrow garden with trrs greenhouse etc, made it somewhat awkward, always a root oir path in the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 Well that's the end of that then (for now anyway) I just casually mentioned to OH this morning about how nice it would be to have some more chooks laying coloured eggs and, well he was not a happy bunny to say the least!!!! He says that the two we've got have trashed the garden so badly that he doesn't think it will recover so that another two is not even up for discussion!!! I should have kept my mouth shut until Spring when the garden will have recovered and might not look like a mud bath (hopefully). Please tell me that my garden will recover I never knew that hens eat so much green stuff - maybe I could rent them out as a mowing service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Well that's the end of that then (for now anyway) I just casually mentioned to OH this morning about how nice it would be to have some more chooks laying coloured eggs and, well he was not a happy bunny to say the least!!!! He says that the two we've got have trashed the garden so badly that he doesn't think it will recover so that another two is not even up for discussion!!! I should have kept my mouth shut until Spring when the garden will have recovered and might not look like a mud bath (hopefully). Please tell me that my garden will recover I never knew that hens eat so much green stuff - maybe I could rent them out as a mowing service Don't give up Jill, mine used to be a bit grumpy about them but now he is getting me 2 more for my birthday in Feb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I have four in mine and they're all very happy together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 My OH is very grumpy He said I could have 2 more chickens when the weather gets better but doesn't want to pay out for another Eglu, even though it would just be the house, I already have a spare run I want to take the intros gradually, he said I can buy a cheap wooden coop but having looked at them this aft they are no cheaper than the Eglu (without run). I am really of you all with your OH's letting you have new chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Well that's the end of that then (for now anyway) I just casually mentioned to OH this morning about how nice it would be to have some more chooks laying coloured eggs and, well he was not a happy bunny to say the least!!!! He says that the two we've got have trashed the garden so badly that he doesn't think it will recover so that another two is not even up for discussion!!! I should have kept my mouth shut until Spring when the garden will have recovered and might not look like a mud bath (hopefully). Please tell me that my garden will recover I never knew that hens eat so much green stuff - maybe I could rent them out as a mowing service I hardly mowed from May to October, since having my girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 My OH is very grumpy He said I could have 2 more chickens when the weather gets better but doesn't want to pay out for another Eglu, even though it would just be the house, I already have a spare run I want to take the intros gradually, he said I can buy a cheap wooden coop but having looked at them this aft they are no cheaper than the Eglu (without run). I am really of you all with your OH's letting you have new chooks You can still take the intros gradually just with one eglu. If you put a run next to your eglu run your hens will be able to see the new ones and get to know each other a bit. Then you can take them in at night, (put them in a cardboard box or a carrying box) and put them in the shed or the garage and then let them out into the run next to the eglu run during the day. Do this for a couple of days and then put the new ones into the eglu when it comes to bedtime, once the others are a bit dozy. Then you rescue them in the morning for a couple of days and then you can leave them to go out into the eglu run together. Just make sure you put out plenty of feeders and things. This method does work and so you won't need another eglu. BTW if the hens you buy are laying then you can simply find them a plastic box to lay in with some nesting material in, so they'll have somewhere nice to lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Thanks ubereglu, that sounds like a good plan, but what I've got is a 7 X 10 ft walk in run with my original Eglu up on a platform for my two girls. I also have the Eglu run going spare that was attached to the Eglu before I got the walk in one. I also have a large wire mesh cat carrier, that I think (after reading your reply) could serve as the new girlie's overnight accomodation for a few nights. I've got a thick blanket I could put over the top. So, is there any way I could divide the walk-in run up during the day, it would have to be secure so that no-one could fly over and attack as I'm out at work all day so couldn't supervise I was thinking maybe some expanding trellis attached to the weld mesh with cable ties. Then I can pop the newbies in the cat carrier in the garage over night Or I'm wondering if I could somehow fit the Eglu run on it's own, INSIDE the walk-in run for the new girls, with the open bit attached to the weldmesh of the walk in run. Could they attack them thru the bars? The only other problem is that I would then have 4 chooks sleeping in the Elgu which in itself is OK but one of them's a Cochin The coniving plans we come up with eh? But it would save me £260 and my hubby would stop complaining about my chicken spending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I would think putting the eglu run inside would be better and using the cat carrier at night is fine but I know what you mean about 4 girls in an eglu and 1 of them being a cochin! Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Maybe go for fairly small breeds of chickens then-not bantams, but cream legbars don't get too big and nor do most hybrids-apart from Bluebelles!. The eglu should be ok for four though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Mine free range every day and 5 regular breeds (3 gingernut rangers, 1 MissPepperpot and 1 Speckledy) happily shared an eglu for about a year (until my OH didn't check they were all shut away one night when I was away on business) Now 4 happily share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 We have 4 in an Eglu with run converter and extension. They do need to be able to freerange for most of the day though. We have 2 from our original 3 Pepperpots and 2 white chickens. We have had bullying problems and they are all now fitted with bumper bits. There is a bit of a queue for the nesting box at peak laying times and they can get a bit noisy them so watch out for unhappy neighbours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 If your cat box is like mine the rain wlll get in, need more than a blanket! taped the air holes up, but in a bag still got soggy, ok for laying in but still needed to check often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I'm using an Eglu run, butted up at right-angles to the Cube run, for introductions - so provided you could secure the open end, I think it would be fine inside your walk-in run. Can you wire it onto one of the panels, to close off the open end? They shouldn't be able to reach her through the bars, she can escape to the middle if they start pecking her. I've also been using a cat-carrier, tucked inside a cardboard box, but Pipi is only in there till I get home from work, when I pop her into the Cube. Having said that, she has spent a couple of nights in there when I was away overnight, and has come to no harm. Since you only need it for a few weeks (hopefully) it's not worth spending too much on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I'm using an Eglu run, butted up at right-angles to the Cube run, for introductions - so provided you could secure the open end, I think it would be fine inside your walk-in run. Can you wire it onto one of the panels, to close off the open end? They shouldn't be able to reach her through the bars, she can escape to the middle if they start pecking her. Thanks Olly, I was thinking of doing that, I thought of using the original Elgu clips to try and attatch the Eglu run to the weldmesh, on the inside of the walk in run. I just need to take some measurements this weekend. The walkin one's got lots of amusements inside so don't know if the Elgu run will fit, it has a platform and some perches etc., so may have to take those out Also dunno how I'm going to be able to get the 2 little new girls out of the elgu run each night to stow them away in the box - crawl in on my tummy I guess I'm sorry I've hijacked this post I'm always doing it I get carried away. Must learn some forum etiquette! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
