Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[maryeadrian]

Hi. My name's Mary and I'm a newbie. I just ordered a cube and can't wait to get it and my chickens.

 

I noticed on the pictures, most folks have the extension. Anyone use it without??? I'd love to hear how it's working for you.

 

Thanks!

 

Mary

[moochoo]

When I first bought my cube I followed Omlets guidelines and had 6 chooks in the standard run. It really wasn't enough room IMO even with free ranging. I now have 11 in a standard run with 2 extensions plus free ranging. That works much better for me.

I would think that 4 in the standard run would be a better number.

[Seagazer]

I have 3 in a standard run and cube. I feel myself that its not big enough. I see them pace up and down and feel guilty (its probably perfectly fine but I'm a soft touch). I'm saving up for a walk in run.

 

Edited to add: Welcome to the forum

[maryeadrian]

Thanks for your replies. Do you think the Eglu would be better than the Cube? Somehow I thought that one was smaller.

Mary

[quickcluck]

I have 6 in a 4m run (standard run & 2 extensions) I wouldn't put more in than that as they dont really free range......

 

I think the eglu will take 3 or 4 hybrids, but it's the size of the run that's important..... and whether or not they are going to free range at all........

[poachedegg]

We have 5 in a cube with standard run and 1 extension - they get to free range most days - though as it is supervised not a for a long time, and they are fine.

 

In the run we have a branch, shoe rack (they use this all the time), peck a block and sometimes hanging treat balls to keep them amused.

[fluffyknickers]

Hi, I also have on order a cube and 2m standard run and have ordered three chickens. We can fit a longer run in our garden as its very small.

 

The plan is to let them free range when I am in the garden but if I am not they will be in their run.

 

I plan on putting some varied height things in there like a branch or broom handle and some things to keep them ammused like a pecking block or broccoli or half a melon.

 

I learnt a lot by visiting someone with a cube.

 

Michelle x

[maryeadrian]

Thank you! I've been going a little crazy over this. I thought it was the run size that was important, too as they seem to like to huddle at night. So do you think 3 in a 2m run is OK? Or should I try to work something else out. I've never had chickens before and want to do the right thing. Now if this were dog questions... I'd be fine.

 

I was planning on putting a branch as a roost up, or anything else that would keep them entertained. Our yard is too small to get the extension, unless I cut down a tree, and my OH would have none of that.

 

They'll be able to free range when I'm home, but not during the weekdays because I'm at work.

[maryeadrian]

I love the shoe rack idea! I was looking for walk-in runs, but here in the US I can only seem to find plans for them, not the actual run. I like your Pets4U website, but I don't think they ship to the States.

[fluffyknickers]

I have been led to believe that 3 in a cube with standard run is fine - so Omlet says anyway. They actually say more byt IMHO i think three is enough. We dont have enough space for an extension - as it is the cube and run will take over the garden!!!

 

I work in the week and out with my own business a lot at weekends so in and out a lot but will hopefully be able to free range them at times i am about and in the garden but plan on putting them back when I am not around - we have foxes round here as seen them at night out the front.

x

[maryeadrian]

I was hoping you'd reply. I've read some of your posts and your yard sounds about as big (or small) as ours. We've had to do some careful measuring. And then I've been looking all over this site at picture of cubes with the standard run. Several have 3 chickens and lots of views, so I'm feeling a little better about this. (Maybe I can actually go back to work now....nah..)

 

I work during the week, too and currently in class 3 hours on Saturday. But hopefully they'll be free ranging when I garden. We're putting in new raised beds this weekend, so there will be more gardening this year.

 

Didn't I read you were getting yours around mid February? That is soooo exciting!!!!

[fluffyknickers]

Yes I am SO excited and now have less than two weeks - they are coming on 19th Feb.

 

When the weather is better I am going to go and measure the whole width and length of the garden and will post to you what it is. We have a slabbed area where the summer tables and chairs go and some of the kids bikes and a little wendy house and a small grassed area where the cube and run will go.

 

We think we have decided which way round and where to have the cube and run and will just have to move the washing line as would be in the way.

 

My husband dispairs of me and knows its better to just go along and help me as once I get something in my head I wont let it go!

 

There are some great pictures on here - there is a great picture of a cube set up that I found handy - will find it and post a link to it.

x

[Redwing]

Plum has a good set up, very clever use of space.

[fluffyknickers]

here is a link with some piccies that may help.

 

Off to have a look at Plums set up if i can find some photos!

 

x

 

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=38402

[Redwing]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=34445&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

 

There you go

[fluffyknickers]

Wow that is a lovely set up - i love the way its at the bottom of the steps and even has its own little outdoor cupboard. Looks like its surrounded by countryside - gorgeous.

 

I have also decided that as well as the surrounding linkabord I I am going to put some slabs/bricks on the skirt and just help keep out rats/fox more and then put some pots with heathers etc round.

x

[maryeadrian]

That really is lovely. I never thought about overlapping the extensions. Now I'll have to check my space again just in case there's room I didn't see.

 

I've learned so much today that I finally feel confident about how I want to set this up and that it will be OK for 3 chickens. I've just about been ringing my hands over it. Everyone's been telling my I'm overthinking it. Yeah, well, better now than later!

 

I want to put bricks or something around the skirt, too. I like the idea of heather. I finally feel like I can actually think about the surrounding space as well.

 

Love to see any more pics!

 

Mary

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Just ran my plans past OH again.

 

He "has no objections" .

[Seagazer]

Woo hoo!! Its so exciting isn't it? When do you think you will be able to get one?

 

Me and OH are going to measure up the space in the garden again and apparently he is going to re-explain his plans to me after I told him they were pants

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Whoops . Meant to post this in "my" thread but somehow ended up in the Cube without Extension thread . Never mind .

[maryeadrian]

Good news is good news! No matter where you post!!! Sounds exciting!

[Plum]

That really is lovely. I never thought about overlapping the extensions. Now I'll have to check my space again just in case there's room I didn't see.

 

Mary

 

Hello, see you've been looking at my set up. Its not easily done and Omlet said not to, but I'm happy. Its a swine to do because when you overlap the clips dont fit because of lying on top of eachother so I put them horizontally which has stressed them so I will replace them each year and when you get to skirt level its displaced enough to not be able to fit clips at all. Having said that I feel its very secure.

If anyone wants to come and visit to see I would be very happy to see them. Any excuse to talk to other chickeny people

[maryeadrian]

I'd love to come visit ...but I'm in the US

[Redwing]

Come anyway - you could do a tour of Eglu owners!

 

Which state are you in? I work for an American company and our headquarters is in CT which is apparently very pretty

[Plum]

I'd love to visit you then