Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 If I see the owner at any point, I think I'll mention paving flags for round the edge of the run. They look like lovely girls. We're allowed up to 6 chickens on our plot. After we've been on the Northern Despatch course, we might get some meat birds, depending on how it all goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 That ladder looks steep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Wow, chickens really are absolutely everywhere . I wonder if they get to freerange at all? It doesn't look like a huge area they're in . It can't be a forum member or they'd have noticed you posting about the allotment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisevans1001 Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Looks like a tiny area! I have 3 at the mo. Tried to keep my chickens in the eglu run with run adapter + run extender (think that adds about 2 more metres) and they go nuts in the morning if I don't let them out of the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 well, it's not ideal is it but they're not squashed in and they have fresh air, daylight, a place to shelter and more room than many a commercial egg layer I'd like to bet. They can also dust bathe and have plenty of food and water. It's not a perfect set up, I agree, but better than a lot of birds get. Maybe it's the angle of the photos but I think there's as much room as the standard run of a cube. Hopefully I'll get to know the owner and we can compare notes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggypeggy Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Could be the size of a growing bed, So the owner can move the coop/run over the top of an area he/she wants clearing and the birds will do the job for him. They'll eat weed seeds, pests, drop manure and generally dig up the soil. Great organic way of working your allotment! Think I might look at doing something similar, but I'd want a bit more run space if poss. Like you said though it's not bad, better than some chooks get. Clever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hi Poet, I'd agree with you - not squashed at all, and hopefully they'll move them around to get some fresh ground to dig up...what's that burnished brown egg-shaped thing in the run?? Saronne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livvyshens Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Number of hens question aside, I really like the design. Or do you think that ladder is rather a long way back up to go and lay an egg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Have you seen how long (erm ) Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's ladder is for his hens? ...and it's rickety, too. Saronne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I think it's a lovely house - they have as much room as in a cube. I think they are fine. The ladder only looks as steep as the cube ladder too. Is that a chocolate brown egg on the floor? It looks like one my Fanny woyuld lay. Beautiful if it is. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) maybe u could give them advice on how much room v free ranging and feeding etc. think its a bit unfair saying oh dont like that etc, as we all started not knowing what we was doing and was lucky we could come on here and grab ideas, and suggestions from people of here. and yes u need to carefully look into it carefuly before delving, but some dont have the advantage of internet. if they do maybe point them in this direction? it is a egg on the floor from a maran.lol lovely eggs they are and very popular when family friends need eggs. do u know the pople well enough to natter to etc? maybe show them your set up etc. not to sure how to put it, but was it ok for u to take pics of there set up? i know i wouldnt like someone to do that to mine and then post and people comment on it etc with out me knowing. just a thought please dont shout shoot me Edited February 3, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherryblossom Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Wow, what an amazing coloured egg! When we finally buy a house I am planning on making one of those which will fit over raised beds and can be moved from bed to bed when needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Looks like a tomato to me. and would say the space is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Ooh, it looks lovely to me. Paving slabs might be an idea as Poet suggests though - I'd hate the run to be dug under by a persistent fox. There's a couple of lovely looking marans in there - I must get another one when a space opens up, I do miss the eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 It looks a perfectly respectable, well thought out and well constructed traditional chicken ark to me. I can't help feeling that the owner of the hens could well be an experienced chicken keeper who might not entirely appreciate his or her hen keeping methods being discussed on an open forum especially with the touch of implied criticism that appears here. I'd go very carefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Looks like a tiny area! I have 3 at the mo. Tried to keep my chickens in the eglu run with run adapter + run extender (think that adds about 2 more metres) and they go nuts in the morning if I don't let them out of the run. The space you have for your 3 chickens is more than adequate - we used to have an eglu + converter and they were fine in that amount of space. As long as chickens have enough space - they tend to get used to it. Ours are in their run most of the time except for supervised free ranging and they are absolutely fine with that arrangement......so as long as these ones have enough space which it seems from the photo they have then they will be fine too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 We're allowed up to 6 chickens on our plot. After we've been on the Northern Despatch course, we might get some meat birds, depending on how it all goes. What would you keep them in? - it would probably feel quite strange not to have them in your own back garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I can't help feeling that the owner of the hens could well be an experienced chicken keeper who might not entirely appreciate his or her hen keeping methods being discussed on an open forum especially with the touch of implied criticism that appears here. I'd go very carefully. I don't post here very often, I just like to read the posts and look at the pics you all put up but I feel the need to comment here. It looks to me like all Poet has done is posted some pictures of some chickens she spotted in a PUBLIC place, hardly the same as climbing over someones fence like some chicken paparazzi. All the "implied criticism" has come from others and is only really a light debate with no major criticism involved. All this is is an "OOOH look some chickens" kind of post and I hardly think anyone has the need to "go very carefully" here. Rooster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I believe that all Egluntine was saying was that this IS an open forum and the owner of the Arc could come and join us at anytime, She never said or implied that it was the same as climbing over someones fence into their garden to take photos. I like the Arc myself, I like the way the sleeping area is off the ground, they have quite a bit off room and would snuggle up together at night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Our chooks got a bit conditioned to be let out - we were at their beck and call and felt really mean when we couldn't let them out all day for the first six months we had them. Then we went away for a week, leaving my sister to look after them and she didn't let them out at all. They stopped kicking up a fuss after three days apparently They had us trained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 We're allowed up to 6 chickens on our plot. After we've been on the Northern Despatch course, we might get some meat birds, depending on how it all goes. What would you keep them in? - it would probably feel quite strange not to have them in your own back garden! it's just an idea at the moment, might not even come to fruition because I think we have enough on our plate at the mo but it's definitely something we'd like to do in the future. If we have meat birds I wouldn't want them in the garden as I wouldn't want to get emotionally attached to them. Think we'll see how the course goes before we make a final decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazzarina Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I like the idea that other people go chicken-spotting too! I recently discovered that someone in our village has a gorgeous set of chooks in all sizes and shapes in their front garden. Nearly every time I go down to the shop to buy something, my route back involves a diversion so that I can have a peek over the fence and a quick bit of admiration. My OH has discovered I do this and is remarkably tolerant, considering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 In some ways I wish we could have chickens at our allotments. Unfortunately apart from the urban foxes which live there, we do get a bit of vandalism and sheds get damaged from time to time. I feel it wouldn't be wise around here. I think I feel happier with the girls in the back garden, but wish the owner of the hens all the best. I know one of DD's friends keeps hens at his allotment in Suffolk. p.s. If anyone did keep hens at our allotments, I wouldn't get much digging done, I'd be too busy chook-chatting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 ...... we do get a bit of vandalism and sheds get damaged from time to time. I feel it wouldn't be wise around here. That would be a concern for me too to be honest which is another reason we need to think very carefully.... ...... p.s. If anyone did keep hens at our allotments, I wouldn't get much digging done, I'd be too busy chook-chatting. think I'll be popping over to say hello to them next time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I can't help feeling that the owner of the hens could well be an experienced chicken keeper who might not entirely appreciate his or her hen keeping methods being discussed on an open forum especially with the touch of implied criticism that appears here. I'd go very carefully. I don't post here very often, I just like to read the posts and look at the pics you all put up but I feel the need to comment here. It looks to me like all Poet has done is posted some pictures of some chickens she spotted in a PUBLIC place, hardly the same as climbing over someones fence like some chicken paparazzi. All the "implied criticism" has come from others and is only really a light debate with no major criticism involved. All this is is an "OOOH look some chickens" kind of post and I hardly think anyone has the need to "go very carefully" here. Rooster ' If you look carefully at my post, 'Rooster', you will observe that I have made absolutely no criticism of the posting of photographs. Nor have I singled any individual out when I mentioned 'implied criticism'. It occurs to me that should there ever be a thread on other fora criticsing the Eglu, in particular along the 'not enough space' lines, Eglu owners are very exercised about it indeed. It cuts both ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
