prof Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 i have another eglu and have been looking at which hens to put in it. im not sure whether orpingtons will does anyone out there have any in an eglu i think they do small bantam orpingtons which are an alternative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Yup! I had two orps and a Cream Legbar in one. They snuggle in and are very cosy. There are quite a few orp owners on Omlet and they're kept in a variety of eglus and cubes, so really no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 (edited) Laurie is right...Orps can fit in an Eglu. I have had three in mine but upgraded to a cube. I used the Orps size as an excuse as really I just wanted more chickens! I think there are a few things to consider though.... If you go for the LF Orpington be aware that they can be very LARGE. Yes, a lot of it is feather but if you are lucky enough to get your hands on some of the ones similar to those that i have seen at shows then they will be maaaahhooosive! (blue LF orp has been added to this wishlist) When I had three Orps in the eglu and run they were very young and not fully grown. If my three current Orps were to be put in a standard eglu run there would not be much room. My three mutter and swear at eachother cos they get in eachothers way in there 10m square WIR! So extensions would be needed or FT freerange. Brandy, my buff Orp, occasionally takes a wander into my bantams and I always find it quite amusing watching her pick up her bloomers and squeeze inside the door Orps are great! Edited December 3, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 My two cochins are living outside at the moment as one of them has been unwell. They are sleeping in an eglu at night without any problems and they are big girls. They are free ranging all day though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 It's the size of the eglu run that isn't too good for the orpies - even with an extention. I asked Barbara before deciding (and we went to visit a cube owner which was very helpful). Mine are huge and I can't see how both would fit in the eglu, so I'm glad we went for the cube (we had 3 orpies originally). We also have the extra run added, although they free range all day and just get shut in the run for their tea before bed time. Basically it's just a shelter for bad weather during the day. Although I am thinking of getting an eglu for future additions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 I had Buffie (LF Blue Splash Orpington) and her 3 Light Sussex Bufflings in as a broody house & run, and towards the end of her maternal urges it was definitely a squash & a squeeze............I have a run of nearly 4 metres & that was just about ok for them to be penned in when I was out, they had a larger pen to "FR" in when I was at home........ all of my Orpies now "visit" the Bufflings run when they are out during the day & can just about pass each other in the run without touching either each other or the run......I personally wouldn't want to house fully grown LF Orpies in an eglu.........especially without a converter and extension..........now if they were in a WIR with an eglu to sleep in at night, that would be a different story, my Orpies snuggle up quite tight at night, 4 of them take up about 1/3 of the cube roosting section Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I looked after an Orp and her companions over the Summer and all 4 fitted in the Eglu ( one was a Poland). They were happy in the extended run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 My 2 cochins and 2 hybrids have roosted altogether in the eglu before. I agree the eglu itself isn't a problem because they are more feathers than anything else. For the short term I would say and eglu and run would be fine. If your hens are going to be confined all the time to the run I would say an eglu run would not be sufficient and maybe go for a cube or and eglu and a walk in run. Orps/cochin/brahma are tall and statuesque birds so the height of the run could be an issue once they are fully grown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prof Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 wow . thankyou all sooooo much for the excellent advice orpingtons it is then mine will have a massive run to freerange in so will only have to sleep in the my main concern was whether they would fit through the door chicken hunting this wkend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) I dont know if has already been mentioned but also I would add that I think orpingtons are only really suitable with the mark II model of eglu rather than the mark I as the door on the mark II is much bigger but that is IMO. edited for typos... again. Edited December 4, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Good point CM - yes a mark 2 does have a bigger door so easier for all those feathers to fit through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
