greeneyesgreedy Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Dear all, I am new to all this and was considering buyiong the eglu with 2m extension.... Hoewever, my husband who is the fount of all knowlesge says this is too small a run for 4 chickens>>??? Can anyone help me before I hit the purchase button? Many Thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purple hen Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Do you mean the eglu with the standard 2m run, or are you thinking of adding a converter and extension to make an overall length of 4m run. I think a run area of 1m per chicken is recommended, although you can get away with less if your chickens are allowed to free range a lot of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greeneyesgreedy Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 Sorry, Yes I was going to but the 2m run. Can I extend it?? I hadn't heard of the 1m per bird, but that sounds right.. do eglu do the extension kit? Many Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purple hen Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Yes omlet do the extra bits of run, to add an extra 2m you would need to order a converter and an extension. The converter is slightly angled to match up to the slight angle at the front of the standard run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 I think that 4 hens would be fine in the standard run & the convertor only There's no need to buy an extension as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greeneyesgreedy Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 OK. Thanks, but getting confused again. I have ordered eglu cube with 2m run. Should I buy a 1m extension as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Ah! You mean a cube, not an eglu 4 hens in a cube with the standard 2m run will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 I had 4 hens in a cube with the standard run and it was a bit of a squeeze. However, both myself and OH work full time, so we could only allow the girls to free-range for a couple of hours in the evening. We made the decision to get a Walk in Run (and increase our flock). I would agree with Jules that 4 in the cube would be fine, I would however add that I think they would need some decent free-ranging time aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenopolis Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 I have only got 2 chickens in my Cube at the minute - I got the 2m extension and that seeems plenty of room. Am thinking of getting a couple of ex-bats as well, so I am encourged to hear that people think that 4 in a cube is fine. Ours get lots of "free-range" time in the evening, when we are back from work but can I ask a quick question - are cabbage white butterflies poisionous to chickens? No one seems to have told our two, and they keep jumping up to catch them??? I have explained to them that they are not cats, but they just look at me!!!!! Can anyone please help????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Romana is obsessed with chasing and catching Cabbage Whites, she's eaten one or two and has been OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greeneyesgreedy Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 Thanks so much for your help. Might reduce my chook order number down to 3 then?? Hopefully that will be enough room for the ladies until I remortgage the house??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-F-C Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I initially ordered the Cube with Standard run... but I felt this was too small so I soon ordered an extension... I am much happier now... If in any doubt... and if you have room... and if you can afford it... I would get the extension... it's best to get it delivered at the same time so as not to pay for additional postage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I'd go for the extension then you can put in perches and levels to keep them happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greeneyesgreedy Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 Ok. Thank you all. Now for final question....does the run need to be on any particular material? ie grass soil..bark chippings etc?/ I really need to buy a' how to' book don't I ?!! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Welcome to the forum and congrats on ordering a cube . You can put it on grass but they will soon scratch it all up and it will become mud mixed with poo . What lots of us do is find a permanent position for the cube or eglu and put down some sort of horse bedding on top of the soil (Hemcore, Easibed, Aubiose are 3 popular ones). They are very absorbant and the poos magically disappear in them . You do need to keep the run covered though or it quickly gets soggy. Plastic sheeting or corrugated plastic are good choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I don't have a cube so can't advise. But I have 4 chickens that live in an eglu + standard run + converter. They free range a lot and when confined the space seems to be OK for them. A converter is a must for 4 IMO. I have Auboise horse bedding on the run floor to soak up poos and then change it once a month. Here is an eglu + std run + converter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
