What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[elpolloloco!]

Just had a thought

 

as we are plannina a WIR, which will be at least 3m x4m

i could add some more hens

 

we have 3 in an eglu so couldn't possibly introduce 1

has anyone got 5 in an eglu?

ours all roost squashed at 1 side or 1 in the nesting box

 

couldn't afford another eglu yet.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

This will be exactly my dilemma . I have three girls and am getting a walk in run (bit smaller than yours ). I'd like to get 2 more girls but can't justify another eglu . I wondered about putting in an extra nestbox as that's the issue with the eglu (they seem to be quite happy to cuddle up in huge numbers to sleep in one eglu, but laying is another matter!). I have a box and am thinking about building some kind of cosy hideout for it!

 

So, yes, after all that .... I will possibly have five in an eglu (but with a nestbox "extension" ).

[Daphne]

we have but 3 of them are bantam polands which are pretty small but the other 2 are orps (one large, one bant) - I think our 5 probably equal 4 hybrids and I wouldn't want any more in there; like you say they squash into one side or whatever for bed, but when its wet they are more spread out in there.....

[Cinnamon]

I have had 7 sleep in the same Eglu before now - their choice....I had 2 Eglus but they seemed to like to squeeze into 1

 

The biggest concern is the nest box, which will be in great demand with just the 1 Eglu

[elpolloloco!]

Thanks for that. If i'm going th stretch my diy skills to a run,

I'm sure a nest box can be made

 

Has anyone mixed gingernut rangers and bantums?

[Cinnamon]

Its not generally advised to mix Bants & Big hens - hence my double pen

A few have tried,with mixed results. My Bants are so teeny that I wouldn't dream of putting them in with the raptors