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[ISCA]

Hello all,

 

I have decided to go ahead and get my chickens now the worst of the winter is behind us. I am going to sound like a heathen on the Omlet forum but I have decided to get a wooden coop and run, as I just prefer the look of natural wood, even though it would be easier to clean a Cube I imagine. I also wanted a longer run. I have gone for this:

 

http://www.woodenart.org.uk/products.php?product=The-James-Chicken-Coop-Hen-House-and-Run

 

Has anyone else on here got one? What do you think? I have gone for the added wire skirting to deter fox entry, boarded area under coop for shelter and an extra 3 ft run extension (making total floor space 11' 9" by 3' 6" wide.

 

I plan to get 2 Orpingtons, 2 Sussex, a Maran, a Legbar and a Dorking. They will free range for part of each day on most days. Do you think that may be too many birds for this coop and run?

 

Would like your thoughts but please don't berate me for not getting an omlet coop!

 

ISCA

[Redwing]

Dont worry plenty on here have wooden coops, I have both plastic and wooden and like both

 

That looks like a nice coop, solid and well built and with a good roof, very nice I cant see how the pop hole works, double check that but I do speed read and dont always take it in

 

A good choice though, so much imported rubbish about at the moment but that should last well provided you look after it

 

You'd be just about your maximum occupancy with those birds but they should just about be ok in there 6 would be happier

Edited February 16, 2010 by Guest

[Jools]

He has a good reputation on other forums, so I'm sure it will be well built and suitable for chickens (which some certainly aren't!!)

 

However, I'd say you're asking for trouble squeezing eight chickens into that, even with the run extension.

 

The blurb says the house is suitable for 6 - 8 birds and in my experience manufacturers are always a little optimistic.

 

Orps are big too, so they probably take up as much perch space as two "normal" size chooks!

 

I would say that four or five would be a better number, if they get to free-range for a period most days.

[Patricia W]

That cat run looks as though it would adapt to a WIR too.

 

Tricia

[Redwing]

I've just been having a look and now I want one

[coco]

It looks well made. I've got a wooden house and run, my run is 8 ft x 8ft and I've got five chickens in it. Two are fairly small, my two ex batts are the biggest. eight might be a squeeze for you.

[Gelbel]

Hello - not dissimilar to my set up - mine is slightly smaller. I have a border round the edges to help prevent (note not stop) my girls kicking the flooring out. I have it stood on paving slabs and as extra protection slim railway sleepers round the outside against the edges - which the girls love to sit/walk on when they go into their outside run.

 

I find it dead easy to keep clean - 5 minutes a day and as long as I want on a weekend (with nicer weather) - but I can do a decent old clean of everything (inc. feeder/drinker) in around an hour.

 

I have changed the ladder as I found that difficult to clean as the girls think it's a loo. They were attached to the coop area with screws so a palaver to take off to clean - hence changing only last week.

[Redwing]

Rather than large fowl Orps or Sussex do consider the mini (bantam) versions, the orps are nearly as big as some hybrids and they are just as cute, that would make things a bit roomier in that coop

[Plum]

That looks really good

[abwsco]

My friend has that one and it's lovely

[Gelbel]

Just want to add - as I've just been out to my girls and it reminded me. I have put little hooks in the outer thick edges of the nest box and have a water container there permanently for when mine are in the outer run. I also hang corn etc from the hooks and,if we ever get rid of this awful damp weather will hang a food container too.

[docsquid]

They look very good. I want one now too!

[Lizzie]

Hi

 

I have one of these with two extensions.

 

They are very well made and I have not had any problems with the run or house at all this winter. The roof is great and made from a mite proof fabric.

I simply bought clear glass tarpaulin (from Adams tarpualins) and keep down when wet and windy.

The girls love their indoor house area and often pop up during the day for a mischievous dig around.

 

The only thing I would say is that the the width across is a bit narrow so I am going to get an additional run which will be connected by an over ground tunnel by avaries4u - just toi give them extra space when they can't come out into the garden

Well worth the money though

 

Best wishes

Liz

[ISCA]

Thank you all for your helpful replies.

 

I have ordered my coop and run now so I just have to wait patientlyuntil it arrives.

 

I have reconsidered what I can realisticly keep in the coop and have decided to get 5 birds, probably one each of an Orpingtopn, a Sussex, a Legbar, a Dorking and a Maran. I am assuming it will be OK to keep such a mixed flock.

 

As an alternative I had considered getting 2 Bantam Orpingtons instead of one full-size bird, but have reservations about the egg size...how do their eggs compare in size to a standard supermarket "medium" egg?

 

Thanks.

[ISCA]

Change of plan! I have decided to get one of these instead (same coop but wider run) and lay it on top of slabs so i can use auboise on the floor.

 

http://www.woodenart.org.uk/products.php?product=The-James-Super-Chicken-Coop-Hen-House-and-Chicken-Run

 

Can't wait

[Redwing]

 

do want.

[Jools]

If I've read this correctly, the run size is just under 12ft x 6ft and the house is 3ft x 3.6ft, for which you're paying £650.

 

You can get the same size run but with a larger house (6ft x 3ft) here for £600 plus delivery.

 

I'm not saying that either is better or worse than the other, just that you get more house for your money .....

 

And I haven't really just ordered one for my LF.

[ISCA]

You do get more house but I still prefer the look of the one I ordered And the guys who build mine come and deliver it themselves and erect it for you, which is a great service.

[Lewis]

 

Even better that they can have a bigger run - let us know how you get on!

[Plum]

That is beautiful. You may want to ask for a kickboard so the litter doesn't get thrown out. Just off to look at their other runs.

[Lizzie]

Hi ISCA

 

That looks great - I think you will find the wider run much better

It is a great house and run and you will be really pleased with the build quality - its fab

 

Best wishes

Liz