quinlan Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 We had four girls, sadly one of the died last week. She seemed fine in the evening when I went to see them but the next morning was dead in the corner of the run. Had a bit of blood in her mouth and her crop was very large and puffy. I think it may have been sour crop?? My eldest was really quite sad, his first taste of what happens in life Anyhow, out of our 3 girls left only 2 are laying. Didier moulted at the end of the summer and hasn't laid since, though there have recently been a few softies in the poo tray so I'm hopeful! Trouble is ny husband isn't too pleased that we are not getting many eggs (he does love the girls eggs!) So what is best to do. Ideally I'd like to get two more girls, we have a WIR so can section off half of it for intros, (not sure yet where the new girls could sleep, perhaps hire an eglu?) but I only have one eglu. Hubby thinks it would be ok to have 5 in one eglu, I'm not so sure. The door is never shut (unless it's really freezing out) and I'm sure that I've heard of people here who have 2 eglus but all there girls bundle into one? Ideally I'd love to get a cube but funds simply wont allow at the moment. Any ideas or suggestions to keep evryone happy????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Sorry to hear about your poor girl . I have 5 in an eglu and they are absolutely fine. Having said that, only 2 lay regularly so there's never a queue for the nestbox. (One has just started laying again though so fingers crossed). If you have enough room in your WIR, I think 5 will be OK. Some of mine have taken to sleeping on the branches in the WIR at night so there's even more room in the eglu now . If you always leave your door open they can always choose to sleep outdoors if they want. When I introduced 2 new girls, they were kept seperate during the day and slept in a pet carrier for a couple of months quite happily. You can always use that as a spare nestbox after the integration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Another one here with five in an Eglu, and they're fine, and I'm also someone who never closes the Eglu door. Getting two hens is a good idea as it will make the introduction easier, I've just added three new ones to my older two and it's gone very smoothly. There's a chance your older ones will start laying again now the days are longer, but the new ones should keep your OH happy within a few weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 I also have five in an Eglu, they are all in lay (when they feel like it) and there has never been a problem with a queue for the nest box. Some people have 5 in an Eglu and do get problems with the nest box queue so add an extra nest box on the bars during the day (small low box/roasting dish something like that would be ok) I think your plan sounds fine as long as the run is big enough for 5 When the weather is warmer a cat carrier is fine as an extra house but while its cold you'll need something more robust. You could however put a cat carrier in for them now and then when they go in to bed you could remove it to a fox proof shed or garage, that would be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 I go against the grain here as I personally wouldn't have 5 in an eglu IMO it is just not big enough. Sorry guys nothing personal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 each to their own, if we were all the same life would be dull I can say though that when my lot are in their Eglu I can stand outside the door, look straight in and not see a single chook as they are all piled on the right I def wouldnt have 5 big birds in one, mine are all hybrid sized Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 I feel the same l only have 3 that sleep in my eglu the rest use the cube ive always thought that they sleep on the right as its the warmer side.I was looking after some once there was 7 far to many for the eglu but it was just a few days they are now using there cube at there house and doing well.I have used cat carriers before and they do work well when its warmer may be you could put them in the shed or garage in one.What a shame you cant get extensions for the eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 Thanks all for your replies. Think we are going to section off the run and get two my ladies at the weekend.Yay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 there seems plentl of room for 4 with some to spare in a Rablu. but cannot envisage how the 5 sleep with the roosting bars in? Don't personally feel there is room for 4 though in the heat wave! lovely during the cold and the photos of 5 sleeping arer where? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
