cluckingmad Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Hi all, Prepare yourselves, this is going to be a long one....! Am in a real quandry - our four little ones are only 14 weeks old so are currently living in a separate uncovered run, being brought into the lounge at night (I kid ye not - they sleep in an indoor rabbit cage covered with a blanket... we have a VERY nosey fox family living in a wood near the hosue and the foxes are regularly seen around so don't like leaving the babies outside at night or when we're not in the house).... The original plan was to: keep this arrangement for a week to make sure the new babies don't come down with anything contagious, then move them into the WIR, separated by weld mesh wire so the big girls can see/hear/smell them but can't get at them. They're going to have two cat carriers in the separated part of the run to sleep in, safe from Mr Fox. Given that the babies are 3 sussex's and a cochin while the big girls are hybrids, the newbies should grow pretty big pretty quickly at this age, and I'm bothered about them being cramped in the cat carriers... to add to my pitiful hand-wringing, I have the option to buy a second hand eglu and run for £200... this would be wonderful except for a few reasons: 1. The neighbours 'jokingly' commented that we have a house and garden, not a chicken farm, so don't want to push things too hard (a new eglu will almost certainly mean me getting a broody and hatching eggs eventually and/or bantams, which was the first part of the conversation...) 2. My parents will possibly never speak to me again about us spending yet more money on our animals (we do seem to spend an aweful lot on things we probably don't need).... mostly because: 3. I really can't afford it Have our wedding coming up in December than hubby-to-be and I are hoping to fly to Japan for 2 weeks nex teaster for a belated honeymoon.. So while I would dearly chop off my right arm and sell it to science to get this eglu, I'm not sure that its necessary currently I need advice and I need it qwuick - and don't you dare all say "buy it anyway!", I would love to but need options!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 My girls have slept in cat carriers in a separated part of the WIR during intros, you can get large ones for about £15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I'm sure they will be fine in the cat carriers for a bit. I used a dog crate inside my WIR for my last lot of intros recently and my girls were fine in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Could you move the indoor rabbit cage outside in the WIR at night if they all fit in it? If inside the WIR-they would be fine covered with a blanket. If not get something like a dog crate or extra large cat boxes. Either way it will be cheaper than an Eglu Only you can decide whether or not you can afford the Eglu. I wouldn't be put off by your neighbours to be honest. Life's too short to not do something which would make you happy just because your neighbours might not really think it's a great idea. However-I don't think an Eglu is worth falling out with your parents for. Besides, you said that you cannot really afford it so I would wait until after your honeymoon then save up for a 2nd hand one. That way, no-one can comment on you getting one when you don't have the money and you will be able to have a broody and eggs at some point in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Plastic (or even wooden) dog kennels are good if you are going to put something in the WIR, if you put plenty of bedding in they will be fine, you could add a makeshift door if you are worried about the weather Someone on ebay makes a smashing little hen house for two or three full grown hens for £35 or so, one of those would be good in a WIR, pm me if you want the details Another option is to get the Eglu and sell the run using the Eglu inside the WIR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 If you only need an eglu for a short term problem, it's a lot of money to fork out (even though you have a cunning plan for its use ). I'd put the rabbit cage into the run or buy a second cheap cat carrier . Are you getting any presents of money for your wedding? You could put that towards an eglu in the future . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 My 5 in the WIR are very happily in a plastic dog kennel. don't tell them it's not meant for chickens I'm even considering getting another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 We've used a plastic rabbit hutch for all our 3 lots of intros and my chicks are currently living inside it in the WIR. Why not check out free cycle for a rabbit hutch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
