biccy99 Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Hi everyone! I'm very VERY excited, have just ordered my 1st Eglu and will be picking up some ex-bats on 9 May! Hooray! Hovwever, when I called up BHWT and said I was hoping to keep 4 hens in my Eglu, they said that some people had found it to be too crowded for ex-bats, and that 3 would be advisable. What's your experience of this? Will four be too many? Thanks Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I had my 1st 5 big hens in an eglu no problem......you'd need bigger than the standard run though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrambledhead Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Brilliant, ex batts are well worth the effort! I have an Eglu and only 3 hens but they all squish up together and there's certainly room for one more, you just need to make sure you have enough run space for them. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biccy99 Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Thanks that's reassuring! I'm finding it very difficult to visualise how big the Eglu actually is, and it's not going to arrive till the week before, so I would hate to be unprepared for my new girls! Do you think if I added the run converter that would be enough space fior them, or will they need a little more? Thanks for all your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woffle Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 We have four sleeping in our eglu and they're all on the large side (no bantams) - they all squeeze into a corner and only take up about 1/2 the available space. They could accommodate another in there at night without any issue at all. As said ^^ - run size is the most important thing IMO. Ours have free-range on half our garden so loads of room to rootle about. We had 3 confined to the (extended) eglu run when we first introduced them to the garden and they were happy enough for a week but personally I think 4 would be too crowded if they didn't have room to run about outside the Eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Id agree 4 may ok for the eglu l only keped 3 in mine.But the run no way they will peck each other to much.Unless your home all day and you have them out in the garden.Ive got the cube as well and only keep 6 hens in there but the in a WIR and out alot.Good on you tho for getting ex bats they are really lovely hens and your giving them a secend chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I have 3 bantams in my eglu and even they started pecking each other in a standard run. They now free range all day so problem solved. You need to think how much they will be out of the run as that makes a big difference- frankly, if all they do is sleep in the eglu, the number is flexible as they all pile in on top of each other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biccy99 Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 Hmm I'm planning to let them out when I am there, but they will be in the run when I'm working. Perhaps an extra 2 metres would be enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I have four in my Eglu, as someone said above the Eglu is not the problem it is the run size that is important. My four girls had a run plus converter and to be honest it was a bit of a squeeze, the space was fine but they spent all of their time at one end of the run which made that area cramped they now have a walk in run I guess at first the run plus converter would be ok as ex batts may not be so active initially but you may need to think about an extension later down the line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 How exciting, new eglu coming and Ex-batts! How about visiting someone who has an eglu and run and then you can see for yourself! I think the thread with the list of "Eglus and Cubes to Visit" is in the Eglus, Cubes and Runs section of the forum! I have kept three chooks in my Eglu with a normal size run but they free-ranged all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 The eglu itself is absolutely fine for 4 chickens. The ordinary run will be fine too for the forst few weeks till they get used to the space - my 2 exbats used half the length of run for a while. Thereafter I would add a converter plus an extension giving them another 2 metres - that will be plenty if they are ranging when you are about. the more space the better but I had 3 very happy in a run plus converter....well done for rescuing, the ex bats are such a joy to watch as they progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 I had my original 4 girls in Eglus with extensions and converters. The recommendation is one metere of run per birs. They had plenty of room and there was no squabbling to speak of. They free ranged for parts of each daytoo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 but on the other hand I had my 1st girls 3 ex bats in an Eglu & normal run, & 2 picked on one mercilessly, hubby built extention of 8ft and still they did it. they were ao free ranging cos she could get away, but she was so sore they had to be run separated, Peace was not had until there was a nice sized walk in run, and a friend for her. And that said the 4 girls I have just got would be just fine in the run, as someone said these don't move far, very contented. However I couldn't stand the pooh of 4 girls in an Eglu run for long periods. It just depends on their make up and yours. I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biccy99 Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 Thanks guys, all your posts have been really helpful. Will keep you updated when my new babies arrive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaronmusgrove123 Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Remeber though these birds are used to the space of an a4 piece of paper im sure they would love it any space whould be a miricale for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I have 4 hybrids in an + standard run + run converter. In my opinion, the extra 1m provided by the converter is a must for my 4. They free range every day too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 my were stuningly ungrateful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hangman Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 We have seven in a cube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
