Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[ClaudetteDay]

Hello there!

My family and I have been thinking about getting two chickens for a while now. And I would love it if you could give me some advice on a few things before we go any further regarding adoption! I'm just wanting to be extra pre-cautious. I want to make sure I'm giving these hens a happy and wonderful life!

 

1. I'm thinking about buying the "Eglu Go" and was wondering if it already comes with plastic roosting bars?

 

2. Do I need to put some sort of bedding in the Eglu to provide comfort? It seems pretty uncomfortable lying on plastic all night! I was thinking about putting down sawdust, but it would just go straight through the roosting bars and lye at the bottom of the Eglu. I'm fully aware you put straw in the nesting area.

 

3. Do you close the door of the Eglu that leads to the run at night? If so, what happens if they get hungry or thirsty? I mean, surely they would get cold if I kept it open?! If we rescued two battery hens I understand they are use to warmth, so we would need to keep it shut for a while. But what about once they have adapted to the temperature?

 

4. Has anyone here rescued there hens from the Battery Hen Welfare Trust? I received an email from them (just a standard email response for registering on their website) and it said they reserve a minimum of 3 three hens. I only want two! 3 is too much to handle, and I feel the Eglu Go is far too small to hold 3 (I realize it can hold up to 4 but I believe it will be too crowded).

 

5. We live in an estate. But we have a decent sized garden. Does anyone else here own chickens and also live in an estate? Yes, there are rules and regulations, but most of them have already been broken by the other residents; no white vans, no pet rabbits, no sheds above fence heigh etc. But don't worry, I'll still ask the neighbourhood for consent.

 

6. I also own a german shepherd dog (please no harsh comments about her breed, she's a gentle giant!), do any of you own dogs? She's been alright in the past with rabbits and hamsters and we've even allowed them in the same room with her. The worst she does is lick them (in a friendly way! not in a "yum" lunch way!). And she does understand the difference between pets and wild animals (she tends to chase the rabbits and birds). I wouldn't be daft and leave them unattended, or introduce Eve (our dog) to the chickens straight away, not until the hens are used to their surroundings and feel at ease anyway.

 

If any of you experienced chicken owners could give me some advice, it would be really appreciated. Of course my family and I are going to think about adopting two hens carefully. But with one daughter getting home tutored and my husband fully retired, I feel we could offer a lovely home to two chickens desperate in need of one.

Thank you!

[ClaudetteDay]

Oh! And regarding my third question, after reading other replies on the board, I realize I have to lock the Eglu to protect the hens from predators. I knew this already but I have so many thoughts and questions running through my head! I'm just slightly nervous about owning my first hen!

 

Many thanks

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum . I'll attempt to answer some of your questions .

1. I'm thinking about buying the "Eglu Go" and was wondering if it already comes with plastic roosting bars?

 

As far as I can see, yes .

 

2. Do I need to put some sort of bedding in the Eglu to provide comfort? It seems pretty uncomfortable lying on plastic all night! I was thinking about putting down sawdust, but it would just go straight through the roosting bars and lye at the bottom of the Eglu. I'm fully aware you put straw in the nesting area.

They actually roost by gripping the bars with their feet so they don't really need bedding. Putting something under the bars can make it easier to clean out the poo tray though.

 

Here's a thread about different types of bedding.

 

3. Do you close the door of the Eglu that leads to the run at night? If so, what happens if they get hungry or thirsty? I mean, surely they would get cold if I kept it open?! If we rescued two battery hens I understand they are use to warmth, so we would need to keep it shut for a while. But what about once they have adapted to the temperature?

Some people close the door, others leave it open all year round. They don't need food or water at night. If they are a bit bald, closing the door might be better for them. It's entirely up to you

 

4. Has anyone here rescued there hens from the Battery Hen Welfare Trust? I received an email from them (just a standard email response for registering on their website) and it said they reserve a minimum of 3 three hens. I only want two! 3 is too much to handle, and I feel the Eglu Go is far too small to hold 3 (I realize it can hold up to 4 but I believe it will be too crowded).

I've not seen a Go in the flesh but if it's anything like the Classic, you'd be surprised at the amount of room in it. I have 5 in mine! Bear in mind they only sleep and lay in it and they like to cuddle together at night . Three hens is really no more work than 2 . Three is a good number as if one dies (unlikely but not unheard of ) you'd still have 2 rather than one lonely hen that will then need a mate.

 

5. We live in an estate. But we have a decent sized garden. Does anyone else here own chickens and also live in an estate? Yes, there are rules and regulations, but most of them have already been broken by the other residents; no white vans, no pet rabbits, no sheds above fence heigh etc. But don't worry, I'll still ask the neighbourhood for consent.

I live in an estate with fairly small gardens. The neighbours are quite happy and say they hardly notice my girls are there!

 

6. I also own a german shepherd dog (please no harsh comments about her breed, she's a gentle giant!), do any of you own dogs? She's been alright in the past with rabbits and hamsters and we've even allowed them in the same room with her. The worst she does is lick them (in a friendly way! not in a "yum" lunch way!). And she does understand the difference between pets and wild animals (she tends to chase the rabbits and birds). I wouldn't be daft and leave them unattended, or introduce Eve (our dog) to the chickens straight away, not until the hens are used to their surroundings and feel at ease anyway.

Loads of us have dogs. Introduce them slowly on a lead and they should be fine. A well aimed peck from a chicken usually teaches a dog who's boss.

 

You sound like you've given this a lot of thought . You sound like ideal chicken parents to me

 

And regarding your other comment, you don't actually have to lock the eglu just the run although it would make things even more secure .

[ClaudetteDay]

Thank you so much for your reply!!

It's extremely helpful!

 

Much appreciated!! Really, thank you!

 

[chelsea]

Hi there and welcome to the forum

 

I will answer a few of your questions, as I am sure you will get other replies.

 

We close our cube door at night, but some people do not and their chickens have been fine.

 

We live in a small cul-de-sac, and are semi detached so we have neighbours. Our house deeds do state no poultry but we did go ahead and get them anyway, as lots of the other covenants had been broken (commercial vans on drives, caravans, boats etc). My chickens can be noisy (especially after laying an egg) but this is not bothersome to my neighbours - I think my worry about the noise is paranoia rather than anything as we have had our chickens 3.5 years and no complaints, some neighbours don't even realise we have them!

 

We have a German Shepherd also, she's 10 years old and is absolutely brilliant with the chickens, I can leave her outside with my hens and I trust her completely - they even sit on her basket when she is sat on it With any dog/chicken introductions I would err on the side of caution and until you know it is safe keep your GSD on a lead or fenced off until they have got used to each other, this of course may not happen as some dogs do not tolerate chickens at all so it's best to be careful.

 

[Christian]

Welcome to the forum

 

Can't really add to posts above, but is there a hen party near you?

 

http://www.omlet.co.uk/courses/courses.php

 

It will answer lots of questions for you.

[beulah59]

4. Has anyone here rescued there hens from the Battery Hen Welfare Trust? I received an email from them (just a standard email response for registering on their website) and it said they reserve a minimum of 3 three hens. I only want two! 3 is too much to handle, and I feel the Eglu Go is far too small to hold 3 (I realize it can hold up to 4 but I believe it will be too crowded).

If you rehome ex-batts you must expect that some of them may not survive long. Having only two would then leave one on her own ... not good for any hen, and esp not good for a hen used to living with thousands of others! So BHWT insist on three hens for first timers.

 

We had four at the end of August and have just lost one ... we feel so lucky they've been so well.

[laurmurf]

Hi and welcome!

There are lots of answers to your questions on the FAQs section of the forum: have a read and if there's anything you're not sure about, ask away and lots of omleteers will be happy to help!

 

btw - no straw! Straw = bad stuff! (there's lot of info on this too!)

[docsquid]

Welcome! I've had chickens for 6 weeks now and it is fantastic - wonder why I hesitated so long.

 

You have asked a lot of good questions and just the sort of questions that were playing on my mind before I got my chickens. We live on a housing estate close to the edge of town, and have a relatively small garden, although it is large for our estate. There are no issues with three chickens, and we have a cube on a semi-permanent base. They are not noisy or smelly but they do have their own ideas about where the mud should be in the garden, so you will need to fence off any areas of the garden that you are proud about!

 

I would definitely go to an Omlet hen party if you can - it made me much more confident about handling chickens and I was all ready to go when mine arrived.

 

Three chickens wouldn't be more work than two, and I think there is enough room in the Eglu or Go for three - we have three in the cube but plan to have six when we add to the flock in the spring.

 

Good luck!

[ClaudetteDay]

Thank you all to those who gave me wonderful advice!

It's really helped.

I definitely feel more confidant and feel ready to own some chickens!

 

I'll certainly be buying three chickens as appose to two.

I'll also attend my nearest chicken class in Feb!

 

Many thanks to all that posted a reply!

[Chicken Shirl]

Just to say. Welcome to the crazy world of chicken lovers. Hens will give you and your family endless pleasure.

[ClaudetteDay]

haha! thank you very much

 

I've always wanted to own some chickens, so I'm super excited

 

Take Care

[Ain't Nobody Here]

You think you're excited now . Wait till the day draws near, you won't be able to sleep . (You can always come on here for some chicken chat when that happens, there's usually somebody up and about .)