Single hen

[bokbokbokbok]

I was hoping that the seasoned veterans on this forum could recommend the best spot to place the Eglu in our backyard.

 

The view from our second story window is as such:

 

Option 1 is an already sectioned area with pea gravel. I'm not sure if pea gravel is good for chickens.... but the brick wall will offer protection to the elements:

 

Option 2 is a flat area underneath pine trees:

 

Option 3 is another walled area. This area can get muddy, so we plan on throwing down bark chips and edging along the left end:

 

What do you guys think? I have a month before the chickens arrive and have time to ponder...

Edited February 24, 2009 by Guest

[Cooks]

I like option 1 myself

[Plum]

I agree with Cookie they'd have the rabbit to keep them company.

 

Welcome to the forum

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum . I think Option 1 too - protection from wind/rain in the winter (not sure where you live - doesn't look like the UK to me but I could be wrong!) You'd have a path to walk on to get to them when it's muddy/wet too.

[Chickvic]

Option 1 looks best to me too

[Guest]

does option 1 get any sun at all?

 

where do you live!? It looks like a public park

[Redwing]

I would go for option 1 too

[Christian]

Welcome to the forum

 

I would go for option 1 too.

 

Guessing by the term 'yard', are you in the States?

[bokbokbokbok]

Yes, I'm in the States - Virginia, specifically. Thanks for all of the votes. The result was very surprising. I thought everyone would go for Option 2. I wanted Option 1 myself, but my husband thought Option 3 was best.

 

I should add that Option 3 can get muddy and is not muddy most of the time. We're putting down bark chips there anyway for the dogs' paws. It also has a brick wall for protection and gets morning sun.

 

Option 1 gets sun midday, but is generally shaded by the wall and that tree.

 

Thanks!

[AJuff]

I like option 1, although I like it because you could build a walk in run around the bricked area when you decide you are addicted to chickens and want more!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mostin]

I think option 1 is a good place for a base. Option 2 may be a good place for a fenced in area for them to play in sometimes, I bet there is some lovely light, dry soil under those trees that they will love to dust bathe in.

[Hen Watch]

Hi, I would say option 1 or 2 personally. My English back garden is on clay soil and very muddy and soggy, so personally I would avoid option 3 if it could be muddy.

 

What type of housing are you getting???? If it is something moveable or fixed? If moveable you can experiment with where you want them. If it is fixed than that is a more difficult decison. And then I would say easy access in the worse weather you have, is a consideration.

 

I have a moveable eglu. So in our English Summer I move it around the garden from patch to patch and the grass regrows but they are confined to an overall "fenced area" behind flexible netting. But in Winter, I need them right by my house backdoor, on my patio slabs. So they don't get bogged down by rain and mucky, I can easily nip out and feed/water them without a huge treck down the garden (which is OK in Summer but not Winter).