cambridgehens Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hi there We're expecting our new Eglu & 2 Hens on 2 April & very excited about it. Very new to all of this and doing everything we can to read up and research how best to keep hens! However, reading through the forum we've discovered that lots of people believe 3 hens are better than 2 for all sorts of reasons; 2 birds bonding as a pair, not a flock / difficult to introduce a 3rd later on in time / if one dies, it's difficult to introduce a replacement. So, my question is with a 30ft x 15ft garden (secure and hen friendly), would it be ok to have 3 chickens or is it best to stick with 2? Oh, and my 2nd question is does anyone know if Omlet provides any other Hens besides Gingernut Rangers and Miss Pepperpots? Can you keep a mix of breeds together or is it best to stick with the one breed? Any advice gratefully received! Thank you! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Welcome Another Cambs Eglu owner I bet you can`t wait until your Eglu and chooks arrive I started with three hens and a in November last year and upgraded to a in February with a view to adding another couple of hens. Sadly my Buff orp passed away last weekend so I am down to two chooks at present. I reserved another two chooks with Cookie Monster at the weekend and will be introducing them to my current two fairly soon. I think three chooks is a good number to start off with as should you loose one the other two can keep eachother company. I am so glad that I had three when I lost Stella. Re the garden size question i would say if you have got two hens, one more isn`t going to make that much difference. Have you visited a local eglu owner to have a look at their set up? Maybe it would help put your mind at rest and make the important choice of 2 or 3. I think Omlet only do and . Perhaps you could source a third locally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tania Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hi Jo We have had our girls for 3 weeks now and can't believe how fantastic they are. We have an Eglu with normal run (although are thinking about getting an extension) We have 3 chickens, 2 Gingernut and 1 Miss Pepperpot. They are great together and Omlet said that 3 is preferable as if one dies then there are 2 left, not leaving one sad and with the added hassle of introducing a stranger into the fold. I can't answer the question of space for 3, we are in the country so are lucky to have alot. They free range when we are there but are in the run when we are at work etc. Look forward to hearng about when they arrive. Tania Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 if you were after another different hen try 'cambridge poultry' i have sed them before and they are great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hi there!!! Welcome to the forum, I bet you can't wait for your new arrivals.... so exciting I would say have 3 if you can, and agree, 1 more wouldn't make much difference with your space..... If you want another type of hybrid, look around and if you get her on the same day all should be fine..... I think in your area you are lucky and have a good selection of places to go!! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Congrats on deciding to keep chickens - they are fantastic! We have 2 chickens in an with normal run. Would have loved a 3rd chicken, but we don't have room for a run extension, and felt as the chickens are in their run all day Mon-Fri while we are at work, it would not be fair for 3 to be constrained in the smaller space. This will be an issue though if/when something happens to one of them, and something we had to consider when deciding what to do. But our garden is a lot smaller than yours, so if you have room for a run extension, or will be around a lot more so they can free range - go for 3! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cambridgehens Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Thank you everybody for your invaluable advice! This is such a useful place to get info from experts like you guys! Thank you. Will keep you updated with our decision! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hi Cambridgehens welcome welcome, I am in your neck of the woods as well. As Palmer 07 said we went on Saturday and chose (or rather she chose) her two new girls from the Farmer on the Balsham Road Cambridge, he's so lovely and kind and very knowledgeable, as is his wife so if your stuck pm me for further details. I got two girls for my eglu initially and regretted it as I really should have tried harder to get 3 at the time, however a year on I have upgraded to a cube and have 4 girls in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshwiggle Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Hi Cambridgehens, welcome to the wonderful world of chicken keeping. I don't have an eglu but like cookie monster I got my 3 girls from the farm on Balsham Road she mentioned. They have been lovely and I would recommend the place - very friendly farmer, lots of good advice. I personally would recommend 3 rather than just 2 hens, I think I read somewhere- might have been here, that 3 hens bond as a flock rather than a pair? The other thing is, if you get just 2, you'll only want more(i'm already thinking of ways to increase my little flock without anyone noticing!!!) Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Oh it's a personal one this decison. 3 rather than 2 - as if worst happens 1 wont' be lonely. It is unlikely, but it did happen to me, one Omlet chook died after 2 weeks with us. However, 2 chickens scratch less and make much less mess than 3 ...... hard to decide I know. Not being much help am I??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 that's a funny one as I dont notice any more mess from 4 now compared to when I had 2. mind you they are relatively new, so maybe they are holding back in their destruction. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerrie Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hello, we got our eglu in Jan and got our 3 girls and my garden isn't as big as yours. Mind you they are let to to free range whenever I can and I was wondering whether to get and extension for the run. As for mess-as a first time chicken person I didn't (and still don't) know what having 2 chickens was like so having 3 wasn't a problem. It's a learning curve anyhow so why not learn with 3 instead of 2? They are such fab pets to have around. My next door neighbour even brings her friends who pop in for coffee outside to meet the girls . Whatever you do will be right for you-and I bet it's not long before you're wanting more. I'm hopefully getting some banties later on this year!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cambridgehens Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hi Kerrie Thanks for your message. This forum is such a useful place to get first hand advice! Glad to hear you're getting on ok with 3 hens - we've pretty much decided to go for 3 and see how we go. Reckon we'll be ok! Just hoping the noise factor isn't too much for the neighbours! It would seem that this hen keeping business is quite addictive?! Everyone seems to start off with a few then get excited and decide that they need some more! Sounds like a great hobby, we can't wait! Thanks everyone else for their messages!! cambridgehens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 It would seem that this hen keeping business is quite addictive?! cambridgehens Addictive I daren't take my husband shopping as I put so many "treats for the chooks" into my trolley. Thet free range all day but the grass is pants at this time of year so I bought them a punnet of cress Am I daft or am I daft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splodge88 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Cress...sounds like a good idea Chickens are totally addictive. We have 3 and they are all best buddies - 3 is the magic number! Having said that...I really want more because they are so addictive...the more the merrier!! Have fun with your new best friends when they arrive edit:typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
