Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[enpekt]

We have a modified (enlarged) walk-in-run with the original external Cube at one end and an external eglu at the other, housing eleven hens in a 6' x 18' area.

Nine sleep in the Cube and the newest two in the eglu. Each area of the WIR can be separated by a gate. (6'x6' + 12'x6')

Since we've been trying to amalgamate the hens, the divider is now open as soon as they are let out each morning.

There seems to be a laying order as well as a pecking order.

Desperate hens from the cube have been laying in the eglu, to the chagrin of the newbies!

 

My questions are:

 

Are the newbies likely to be accepted in the Cube now they are laying?

 

Is there sufficient laying facilities for eleven hens in our situation?

 

When we introduce an additional 9 hens to the extended run proposed (an additional 6'x6' including a new external Cube) will there be enough laying space for 20, given the shenanigans we experience now?

 

Your valuable experience in these matters will help my constructional duties...

 

Please advise...

[foreveryoung]

hummmm there should be, i have 9 hens in one cube and they seem to manage. how big will your coplet run be??? for 20 hens could it be abit too small?

[tom123]

a 12 x 24 run does sound a little small for 20. 15-16 would be better.

 

You could add a small cat box or similar for them to lay in?

[enpekt]

Thanks for your prompt replies...

 

The complete run was going to be 24'x6' with the option of dividing into a 6'x6' area each end and a 12'x6' in the middle.

Extending to 30'x6' is feasible, not forgetting there's no space lost as the eglu and cubes will be external to the run.

 

The flexible segregation options are for future introductions planned, viz 3 ex-bats and up to 6 POLs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the larger run is needed, that's OK as I'll be able to buy two more powerkites in compensation, rather than the planned one!!!

[Hen Watch]

My 4 used to fight over 1 nestbox last summer, so out came 'ceramic oven dish nestbox' which I put on the run bars in the morning and took away each evening before their bedtime.

 

3 pics - before, during and after........

 

 

 

[tom123]

That still is only 16m2 and I would keep a maximum of 16 hens in there unless they get some FR range time.

 

An integration divider sounds good

[enpekt]

What a clever idea, Hen Watch! Brain ticking over as I type!

 

Concerning the WIR dimensions, the hens are only limited to this area to feed in the mornings and retire at night.

The remaining part of daylight hours they free-range in the garden, some 150'x44', so all things considered, I don't feel they'll be cooped up!

 

However, if you think I've got my sums wrong, please advise otherwise...

 

edit - Thanks, Tom. Crossed posting! - /edit

[tom123]

Oh right! Well that's perfectly fine then

[AmberSky]

A while ago i had a coop suited for only 6 hens, and i made a makeshift shelter for another 2 girls i had recieved as i already had 6 hens.

But all 8 girls insisted on cramming into the small coop, as for laying they simply seemed to take turns!

 

So my point is you may have problems if you free range as i did and then expect the girls to go to seperate coops at night. I ended up getting a larger coop and free ranging.