New hens not going into Eglu Go Up

[*mummy_hen*]

...as to whether an omlet eglu and standard run is large enough for approx. 3 hens to live in permantently, with free ranging for a minimum of an hour a day?

 

Many Thanks!!

[Scramble]

Am I right in thinking they would be hybrids?

Personally I don't think just the standard is big enough, an extension I think

 

I'm not really sure, I only have to pekins and they have an eglu with standard run and a converter they free range for a min of 1hour a day.

Sorry I'm not much help!

Sure a more knowledgeable person will be along soon

[Redwing]

My three were hapy with the run plus converter pretty much full time

 

When I added a fourth it got cramped but three would be fine

[Patricia W]

I've chosen " other" as I think it depends on how much free ranging they are able to do as well. If they were locked up 24/7, then it's not big enough - even for 3 bantams.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I've chosen "with a run extension". I started off with 3 in a standard run but soon ordered the converter. They were fine in that with some freeranging every day.

 

(Of course, a WIR is even better but if you can't stretch to that, a run & converter is absolutely fine )

[*mummy_hen*]

Hi All,

 

Thanks for your opinions.

 

Basically am not wanting to do anything for a while but am just thinking ahead to the logistics of if i introduced more hens in the future. I have a large WIR which would be fine for a new 3 + my existing but currently has my 2 ducks in half of it and also have to think about what would happen should they not mix!!

 

Don't want to rush into anything as still feeling heartbroken over the loss of my other girls but just thinking about possibilities should we want to introduce in the future.

[atsw]

Our previous three were always very happy. They did get a little free-range time most days, but for the majority of time they were in the standard run and seemed more than happy.

 

 

As you can see, they were standard red hens, so not too big. Once we got our two Buff Orps to replace two of the red hens that died earlier in the year it became clear that the larger breads need a lot more room to roam around, so we built a WIR.

 

 

I would say they never looked unhappy, but there never seem to be the room there was with the smaller red hens.

 

Andrew

[Cooks]

I chose the WIR option as I just dont like the eglu run and I know there was an option to add the extension however I like the WIR's as they give the chooks height as well as space.

This is purely my personally opinion though.

[chelsea]

I picked yes with an extension.

 

My lot were fine in the omlet run with the converter and extension, I felt happier with the extension added. I really dont think the hens care to be honest - its just us and our guilt!

[Olly]

Yes with an extension. I had three very comfortably in this set-up, and they didn't get an hour free ranging every day (particularly in winter).

 

You'll always want to give them more space, more freedom, more free-ranging time but it isn't always possible - the run plus converter is fine as a minimum.

[Charlottechicken]

My two are spoilt with a large walk in run, but recently I have been letting them onto the lawn in something not dissimilar to the Eglu run. They have been fine for hours at a time, lounging about and lazily pecking grass. They seem to be more chilled in a smaller space, as previously they have had the run of half the garden and ran about like a pair of nutters, trying to dig plants up and generally causing mayhem

[debbier]

I have 3 chickens, an eglu and a run extension due for delivery next week, so don't feel qualified to vote but am still quite reassured by the poll results.

[Busybird]

We keep my 3 girlies in an Eglu with standard run + extension and have had no problems. They get to free range for a couple of hours on most days but even when we have gone on holiday (the longest we have been away from them is 8 days) and they have been confined for the whole time they have been fine.

[TAJ]

My three happily lived in an eglu with standard run for over a year, but they got lots of free ranging - even when we were on holiday mum would come and sit in the garden with them for a couple of hours each day.

 

Personally I wouldn't have wanted an extension as it would have made it more difficult to moce around. They are now in a cube, with extension, but there will be more hens as well.

 

Tracy

[Chickvic]

I clicked other because I had 3 in the standard run and they were fine, but like TAJ they come out every day. When we're on holiday my sister came round and sat with them while they free ranged.

[FiggyPudding]

I say no. Not even with an run conversion.

 

My 2, a maran & black rock pace up & down & when I go near them, they leap in the air. I bought them from an animal rescue & they were with 6 other hens, so it's likely they were used to alot more space.

 

My 2 ex batts are in a standard eglu & they seem quite ok - but they've only been in it for 11 days !