Solitary chicken - need advice

[rachick]

Have searched the forums for advice but wanted answers to some of my questions!

 

I love the design of the classic (especially the eggport!!) compared to the Go, but I don't know if either is more suitable for a newbie? Being able to have the door to the run in a different position appeals with the Go, due to the limited space in my garden (if I have the door on the side it will fit perfectly in a particular spot!) Also, when you slide out the poop tray how much space do you need behind the coop - does it have to slide out completely horizontally or can you tilt it upwards?

 

Is there a better time of year to get the chickens? My instinct tells me to wait till spring, but I don't know if we can wait!!!! Now we've decided we're getting them, we want them NOW!!!!

 

We have 3 children (girls 9 and 4, boy 7) so will get them a bird each - the girls like the Ginger Ranger, but our son likes Miss Pepperpot; they will all be coming at the same time so will there be any problems with mixing the 2 different types?

 

How easy is it to clean out the run? I'm thinking of aubiose or similar, is it correct that it will need to be changed every month or so, and how is this done - does the run lift up easily so it can all just be scooped up and replaced? Does the run have to be pegged down?

 

I hope someone can help with my questions, I'm sure I'll have many more soon! Now we have the biggest question though - WHICH COLOUR??????

[Chunky_Monkey]

Hi, and welcome!

 

I don't have the Go, but have the classic eglu. I think it's brilliant and would be able to fit in most parts of the garden. I like the idea of the Go having a door that you can put anywhere, it makes it more convenient. However, I haven't seen and run converters or extensions for the Go and having three chickens in a standard run would be a bit of a squeeze, unless they were bantams. I can pull the tray outwards and at an angle to the side. I would probably need about 30-40cm of space behind the eglu.

 

I don't think it really matters when you get the chickens. I recently got another 3 and they're fine with the weather.

 

Mixing the breeds won't be a problem. I have lots of breeds all living together and they all get along fine. I don't think anyone else has had a problem either. You could also source some hens yourself and then you can have 3 different breeds. As long as you introduce them to each other within a few days, they should be fine, but a bit of pecking is understandable for a while.

 

I use a rake for the run, but find it a little hard. You could lift the run up, but you would have to unscrew the run from the house and it might be a bit awkward and time consuming. I peg the run down with tent pegs, but it's not necessary. I think I'm just paranoid.

 

I suppose the colour depends on which you like best I have a green eglu and cube because I think it blends in with the garden well. I also like the blue and red ones.

 

Hope this helps

[rachick]

Thank you! So pleased to get my first reply!

 

I'm planning to let the birds out for at least a couple of hours a day, so they won't be in the standard run all the time. I think the space I'm thinking of will be a bit of a squeeze to be able to open the classic run at the end AND be able to slide out the tray at the other end - I'll have to get the tape measure out!!!!

 

I'd like the idea of 3 different breeds but as a complete novice would be wary of sourcing birds elsewhere! Has anyone any advice as to the best place - Omlet or other breeders? I'm sure it can't be too difficult but I do like the "complete package" idea!!

 

So excited!!!!

[Chunky_Monkey]

Have a look here viewtopic.php?f=42&t=4658 for recommended breeders in your area. I didn't get my first hens from Omlet, but from people who have, I don't think there's been many probems.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Guest

[Lewis]

Its up to you what you get, but if you like the Go and it would suit you better, you may be the first person on the forum to have one and its a little bit cheaper too.

You'll need space to pull out the poo tray, I think it been included on the plans as an extra 80cm at the back of the Go.

 

Where abouts do you live? Omlet will give you a list of suppliers, and we can let you know on here, there are some really good ones about so sourcing your own shouldn't be a problem.

[Redwing]

The standard run is a little tight for three standard sized chickens im my personal opinion

 

The poo tray n the classic has a notch cut out of it for the nest box so when you pull the tray out you can angle it to pull it away which is great. The GO tray I believe is rectangular so you would need more room behind the Eglu, also the egg port on the Classic is on the side but the GO you need to open the door at the rear so will need clearance for that and the angle to reach in for the eggs might be awkward as the nestbox is at the front

 

The hens supplied by Omlet are hybrids, they will lay eggs all year round for two or three years then start to slow down, they should be pretty easy to tame and do make good pets

 

Pure breeds lay for more years but take a winter break, they also live longer though

 

You will get more choice of pure breeds and they come in some lovely colours so do a bit of research

 

If you are gong to have three chickens in a standard run then I personally would not go for hybrids in my admittedly limited experience they seem quite prone to vices such as feather pecking when in close quarters. Do consider bantams as well, Wyandotte bantams are very nice, they look like 'proper' chickens and lay a decent sized egg

 

Its not too terribly hard to source chickens so don't feel your options are limited

[Space Chick]

I agree with Tasha, 3 in a standard run would be too tight a squeeze. Personally I prefer the look of the Classic, but its all personal preference. I went straight for the cube when I started with 4 (good job really as I now have 12 girls )

[Chook n Boo Mum]

I also agree with the "3 chooks is too many for a standard run" train of thought, I had 3 girls (non-Omlet hybrids) in a standard run & within a few days it became blatantly obvious that they needed more space so DH made them an extension with weldmesh wire & peace broke out almost instantly

 

Moving on a step or two from the initial purchase of a standard eglu & run, if you have a limited space, why not consider a homemade or ready made WIR (walk in run) which fills the gap available, but adds space vertically, and also makes life much easier for cleaning the run on a monthly-ish basis. The eglu, classic or go, could be positioned on a table top with a piece of lino to aid spinning it for cleaning & removing the poo tray, so it could be tucked into a corner & be out of the way.....there are loads of pictures & plans on viewtopic.php?f=4&t=45544 and here viewtopic.php?f=4&t=38922........get a drink & nibbles before you start though, they are two very long threads to check out !! There are a lot of WIR floosies on here (I am one!!) and we're willing to inject a pic of our runs at the drop of a hat....I'll spare you for now though

 

Good luck with your decisions, do be aware though, that chooks are addictive, if you start with 3, you may well want to expand your flock sooner or later, therefore the bigger WIR would be simply planning ahead

 

Am I a bad influence.................

 

Sha x

[rachick]

Aaaaagh! It's all so difficult to choose, so many bits of advice and information!

 

I've cleared an area in the garden, and it seems like either the Classic or Go would fit ok. I think I prefer the curves of the Classic, can anyone give me a good reason to opt for the Go instead (aside from price - and to be honest, I don't think £40 difference is enough to sway me)

 

I'm concerned about the number of people who feel that 3 birds would be too much in the standard run, even though they will free range quite a bit. I do like the cube but simply haven't got room (and it is considerably more expensive....)

 

As for how addictive they are, now I'm worried.....does ANYONE ever start with 3 and just stick to that??? Doesn't seem like it!!!

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Errr ..................not me .....some do though

 

If you only have a small amount of space, you have to be strong and still to your guns, I unfortunately had a larger space and have now got 21 chooks, and .....take a look at Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody Here's WIR, she only has 4 now because her original 2 had stopped laying.....if you click on any of her posts she has a link to her run & chooks at the bottom of her signature, so it is possible to have a small number of chooks and be happy .......you could have more bantams in a run as they are so much smaller, but only lay diddy eggs if that's a deciding factor....they are also very prone to broodiness whereas hybrids are less likely to get broody.

 

I've only seen Go pics so can't really comment on its benefits or not, but I do like the curves and egg port of the Classic

 

I'll go away now & stop confusing you..............

 

Sha x

[eggregiousness]

As for how addictive they are, now I'm worried.....does ANYONE ever start with 3 and just stick to that??? Doesn't seem like it!!!

 

Well. I started with 2 a couple of months ago and vowed that was it. However......number 3 is now on order

[Redwing]

ummmmmmmm another bad example, I started with 3 a year ago.................

 

I agree that buiilding a run to suit the space and buying an Eglu to go in it is a good option

[Falkor]

They are just a little addictive

[Lewis]

 

I think you can get 3 in a standard run with free ranging, obviously it would be better if you can put a convertor/extension on it, but don't be put off getting them because of the size of the run.

We have 3 bantams in an and there is plenty of room, so as Tasha said, might be something to look at

[ubereglu]

If you do want an eglu, but can't let them out all the time for even a little bit of free ranging time, but still want three hens due to having three children, what about getting a go and 3 bantams instead? They'd happily stay in the run as they're smaller and take up less room.

 

Would that work?

[troyca]

Newbie to newbie I have just ordered a "Go" as it's squarness fits my space and planned WIR which will also be square. I have sourced several local suppliers of hens because I fancy colour and beauty. Who knows how it will work out but I plan a Spring start as the other side of Xmas seems a good time to start a new project when the weather and light begins to improve-and the suppliers have more chickens!!

[Plum]

Why not measure the cube footprint again, it will give you more options. Omlet hens are lovely and become tame very easily

[rachick]

Thanks for all the advice - another question - when I order, aside from the actual coop/run and possible chickens, is there anything else I should get at the same time (sprays, food etc)? What things are "must-haves"?

 

Thanks!

[debbier]

I got my chickens in June, this year (3: 2 gingernut, 1 pepperpot ), and am quite happy with them as they are: no hankering after any others, yet. I got the standard eglu and an extension. Like others, I think it would be cramped without the extension. Mine didn't free range, but seemed happy enough, though they trashed my lawn!

 

I've now got a wir, and it's soooo much better, if you have the space.

 

 

As for extras, I bought some:

 

Mixed corn: it will take them a couple of years to get through the huge bag I have in my garage!

Barley straw: for the nesting box. I bought a bag from the pet shop, and have maybe used around a quarter of it in 4 months?

Poultry spice: have only recently started adding this to the meal.

Apple cider vinegar:for the water. Available from horse-y shops.

 

Flubenvet (wormer, not used yet)

Gentian Violet (also not needed yet)

 

Poultry Shield: for cleaning the eglu.

Stalosan powder disinfectant: I use this for dusting the wir bedding.

Diatom: dust powder.

Grit+holder.