Britannia Ovens (esp Range cookers) your experience

[Project_Chicken]

Hi, I've ordered my eglu and had full intentions of leavign the chickens in the run for 90% of the time- the poeple i spoke to before i ordred (at work etc.) said that this is fine. However, now I've seen so many pictures on here Im getting paronoid that Im being cruel to them!

 

WOuld it be ok to keep 3 hens in th standard run for 90% of the time?

 

Any help greatly appreciated!!

[Egluntyne]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

I'll be honest and say that as they get bigger it might be advisable to add an extra piece to the run ( a converter).

 

They do say one piece of run per hen, and if they are being confined as yours are, for 90% of the time, that extra bit of room for manoeuvre will benefit them and help prevent any squabbles.

 

If they were free ranging every day for long periods, it would be of less importance.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hello and welcome .

 

I had three hens in a standard run but soon (within a few weeks) decided to order the converter. They lived happily in it for over 18 months (with limited free ranging) till I got a walk in run.

 

If you're quick you could add the converter to your order without incurring the extra P&P costs!

[Janty]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I agree with the others....they will need the extra space. As ANH said, order the converter quickly and you should avoid the extra postage

[Project_Chicken]

Hi all,

 

many thanks for the welcome and advice. I will have to talk to my wife to see what she makes of a area boxed off for the chickens to be free ranging. Think I'll wait till friday night after a few glasses of wine

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've just started using Omlet netting which is brilliant if you want to keep part of your garden poop free (and uneaten ).

 

Good luck tonight - sounds like a good plan .

[Hen Watch]

It took me 2 weeks of chicken keeping to realise I needed a run converter for that extra 1m. Even though my lot free range quite a lot, I still think the extra run space makes a real difference. I was annoyed with myself, as I ordered it after the eglu delivery and had to pay postage

[Patricia W]

I kept mine in for about 4 months ( they are bantams and we got them at 8 weeks) as I was a) convinced the cat would eat them b) thought they'd never come back.

 

But they began pecking the bottom chook and I decided this was related to lack of space so did 2 things - ordered an extension for the run AND let them out. Result - they chased the cat who is terrified of them ( as are the neighbours' cats), the pecking stopped - so we have never used the extension! They now free range all day every day from about 7.30am - 7 pm these days.

 

I now notice that they are exhibiting some very " bird" like behaviour - the two girls have built a " proper" nest in a secluded corner and lay their eggs there ( I know it's not convenient - but so sweet to see them collecting bits of grass etc ... see who's in charge here! )

 

We're lucky in that we have a big garden to let us do this and so far, no foxes ( I'm off to Omlet today to get some netting to electrify though.)

 

I'm sure they would have been fine in the extra space of the extension but I think some free ranging really makes a big difference to a chicken's quality of life.

 

But if you can't do it, you have to remember that the eglu run space is so much bigger than anything many chickens in this country experience - and they adapt so long as their basic needs are met.

 

Tricia

[Guest]

I have gone for semi Wir and my 3 new chickens 2nd day are already looking out across the garden and they have tons of room..I think the grass is greener syndrome..but I would give them as much room as u can afford I am sure mine will get use to their wir..they already know where the door is and are waiting patiently....yesterday they were eyeing up the roof & any potential escape routes! But mine have tons of room..

 

So am sure they will just get use to it indie

[Funny Feathers]

We've got a really small garden but decided like you, that maybe the eglu and run would be too small for the girls all the time. My lovely husband went off today and purchased those really nice hazel hurdles to enclose a bit of the garden so that the hens can spend time free ranging but we also get to keep the rest of the garden for children and dog - and the odd BBQ when we're feeling really civilised! Work begins tomorrow and I'll let you know the results once the lovely ladies themselves move in.

[Hangman]

I think they should be okay - just make sure you move them around every day so they're on fresh ground. We have seven hens with a cube, and then three meters of the fencing - then again, they are free ranging whenever possible.

[Olly]

I think if they're going to be in the run 90% of the time, then I agree with Egluntine, you should probably add a converter. I had three in an Eglu with this arrangement and they were fine. My work and other commitments don't give me as much time as I'd like with my chickens, and I dare not let them free-range unless I'm in the garden, because of local foxes.

 

The other solutions above are ok for free-ranging, but won't be fox-proof. With a converter added however, your chickens will be happy spending most of their time in the run.