Space Chick Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 I started with 4 in a cube with Standard run, and they didn't have enough space in my view. So I told OH I wanted a WIR After lots of "heated debates" we realised that we wanted more girls anyway, and didn't really want a summer holiday It was the best move we ever made (OH will tell you that too), we now have 14 girls (although 2 are not in the WIR), the 12 in the WIR all sleep in the cube (even though we also have an Eglu). I have added additional mezzanines and perches into the WIR, even have football seats to sit in there with them and chill out. Just putting options out there although Olly's idea on adding their additional run is an excellent one The Omlet run is 1.2 metres by 2 metres, so 2.4 square metres. Most Omleteers recommend 1 square metre per hen to allow for very happy content hens. Even though they can still "function" with less space. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veggiemad Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Space chick - just interested (nosey!!) as to how big your WIR is - mine is arriving this week and trying to organise my cube and girls. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riven Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 thanks all. Right now 3 are in the standard eglu run but am taking on friends 2 as she doesn't want them. Hence buying the cube. Selling eglu to pay part for the cube because between you me and the gatepost....I cant really afford it! Hubby works part time cos of caring but I got back some money off an OU course I couldn't finish so decided on the cube. But its not like we ever go on holiday because of our youngest so this was my one and only treat in 10 years! But will save for extra extensions as I like my girls happy. Happy girls makes happy eggs Now if hubby would just learn carpentry then he could build me a fab WIR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riven Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 they normally FR if I'm in the garden but we've had a fox take hens in broad daylight when I was in the house (last year I lost 3 ) So no more FR unless I'm out there with them. Mr Fox sits up on the kitchen roof. I'm in Bristol so dense city and still so many foxes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 get that hubby out there to build a WIR it doesn't take much DIY skills they would be safe then and no problem about the extra space Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 OR....... Cancel the cube run and save £170 Then order a ready made WIR similar to this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170452141043&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT With a little modification you could butt the cube up to it - hey presto more room for chooks and humans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISCA Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I think the Omlet advertising is misleading, as Omlet are stating that a cube with 2 m run is good for up to 6 hens but then it states that if you got an extension run to make a 3m space you are good for 10 hens. Yet most experienced hen keepers agree that those numbers are not practical. Many people buying hens for the first time will trust and believe the advertisment information, so I suspect there are many cubes out there with 6+ hens in them. Not ideal. I get the impression that the cube itself is good to house up to 10 hens BUT the runs are not really suitable for more than 3 hens (or 4-5 with an extension). The limited run space is one of the reasons I chose to go for a wooden coop and run. The length and height of the run did not seem adequate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I think its like everything people have to use their own judgement and take advice from people that have used the cube and know it up close I love my cube, but dislike the run thats available for it and also dislike the run on the eglu for that matter too as it's just to hard on my back and the size isn't generous enough for my liking so the WIR is the only option for me. Although ahving said that for a very temporary mesaure when I move house I think the girls would ahve to use a cube run whilst the new WIR is built... but that would only be verrrrry temporary and not for ages yet. I do like to think ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Wow, I've learnt a lot from reading this. Like other new chicken owners, I really was under the impression that the run the girls have is perfectly adequate - looks like I was wrong and it's frustrating that it isn't pointed out by Omlet from the outset. We don't have any room for a WIR in the garden so are going to fence off an area with chicken wire in a circle shape and leave the Cube gate open so they can come and go as they please. The wire is over 4 foot high, so they should be just fine. Think I'll be saving my £s for an extension rather quicker than planned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 bear in mind the chicken wire will probably be high enough to stop them hopping over but wont prevent a fox from getting in I am afraid. Keep your eyes on ebay and the forsale section for extensions as they do come up from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I actually just rang Omlet to see if they have any reconditioned / ex-display runs - they don't but did earlier this week (gone now). They go for around £50. I asked how often they have them and she said it varies; just a case of keep trying. I'll keep searching on ebay etc as suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riven Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 I bought a 1 metre extension. Sigh. I got so anxious about the whole thing! While I'l like a WIR we do have limited room. And time. And no skills at all. So hopefully the girls will be happy now But don't mention it too hubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 mums the word Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riven Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 hahahaha. Love that smiley. Course, if I could get hubby to get rid of the vile ugly greenhouse we could fit a WIR. But I think if I spend any more money (I had this lump sum) he will pop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 just tell him it was a reconditioned one afterall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I have seen a couple of runs where the glass has been removed from a greenhouse and replaced with wire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Don't worry Riven, we're very discrete on here. I may well end up buying one as well; we're up near Omlet on Sunday actually and am wondering if we could get one then - hmmm, there's a thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riven Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 so now I got a 1 metre extension should I get another chicken.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Don't worry Riven, we're very discrete on here. I may well end up buying one as well; we're up near Omlet on Sunday actually and am wondering if we could get one then - hmmm, there's a thought Just so you don't have a wasted journey, Omlet is not a shop as such that is open to the public, though with prior arrangement collections can be made and they're not open at the weenkends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Don't worry Riven, we're very discrete on here. I may well end up buying one as well; we're up near Omlet on Sunday actually and am wondering if we could get one then - hmmm, there's a thought Just so you don't have a wasted journey, Omlet is not a shop as such that is open to the public, though with prior arrangement collections can be made and they're not open at the weenkends. But they might sell just the extensions from Cotswold Chickens...might be worth a ring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Don't worry Riven, we're very discrete on here. I may well end up buying one as well; we're up near Omlet on Sunday actually and am wondering if we could get one then - hmmm, there's a thought Just so you don't have a wasted journey, Omlet is not a shop as such that is open to the public, though with prior arrangement collections can be made and they're not open at the weenkends. Many thanks - I didn't know that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Poor John has just got in from work and I launch at him - oh the chickens haven't got enough room etc etc etc. The long and short of it is he'll make an extension run for them so we can save our £100. He's really good at DIY too, so the girls will soon be sorted. I do let them out free range as much as I can (been out for an hour at lunch time, and out almost 90 mins this evening) so they're doing OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 *talks in a whisper so your OH doesn't hear* good at DIY? go for the WIR mine were out 7.5 hours the other day only out in afternoons at moment cos they are being wormed. Mine would give me the guilt trips if I didn't let them out a lot... they run their beaks up and down the wire of the WIR just like prisoners with thir metal cups on the bars.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riven Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 same here. And pace a la caged animals in a zoo despite perches and brocolli on a string etc. Basically, if there's a barrier a hen would like to be on the other side! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I feel really bad now that they haven't had long outside - all there is is mud and very patchy grass so I thought they'd be happier in their pen with pellets and corn etc to peck at. They ended up having 2.5 hours this eve as well as the earlier hour, so I guess it's better than not being let out at all. Also at the moment I'm still checking out for cats / foxes - there was a cat earlier but I think he was a bit freaked by the chooks and didn't hang around long! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
