Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[jill the potter]

Yesterday we were talking about the state of the garden and where to move the cooks to next as most of the grass has gone. So I 'casually' mentioned that most people on the forum, after a year or so of chooks trashing their gardens, opt for a WIR. To my suprise OH thought it was a good idea and has arranged for someone to come and pave an area and build/erect a WIR!!!!!!!

 

Have been reading several threads on here so don't want to go over questions already asked but:

 

The area we have chosen is in quite a shady place - would this be ok?

 

Obviously I'd like to go as bis as possible (£ permitting) and also be able to get more girlies so how many chooks to an eglu, and roughly how much floor space per chook. They will be able to have access to a restricted part of the garden to free range, but not the whole of it as the point of this exercise is to regain our garden.

 

Chappie coming to measure up this afternoon, and will be able to start in a couple of weeks, so will need to have made my mind up about size etc!!!

 

Now how long do you think it will take for me to pursuade OH to get a cube or another eglu?????

[veggiemad]

Morning!!

 

Greta news about WIR- my base is down, just got to replace a couple of fence panels before the WIR arrives.

 

Eglu classic- the general opinion i htink is 4 - but 5 often fit in happily- its the run space that is realy important as the roost squished up anyway!! it would however depned on your breed - my ex batts would be fine at 4-5 i think.

 

Again i think the opinion of about 10ft square per hen is ok - but obviously more the better. you can increase space by adding different levels and perches etc, if you want to get more girls.

 

My WIR WAS going to 15x8ft but after talking to suppliers and finding a HUGE ivy root, that would take a year to remove, i've opted for 12 x6ft. Money wise- i think is you by in 3ft pieces it works out ALOT cheaper!

 

Enjoy your run - and of course - pics please!!

[Olly]

Congratulations, you won't regret it! Shady is fine, better that than too hot. Make sure it's got good drainage though.

 

I've got 3m x 2m with five hens in and I reckon that's about right - they don't get much free-ranging time, recommendation is 1m sq per hen, but if they free-range a lot you could probably reduce it. And all five of mine sleep in an Eglu classic without any problems.

[ubereglu]

Sounds good! I need to do a similar thing, but it's a bit difficult at the minute due to Dad still not being back to usual self yet and going around on sticks!

[jill the potter]

Nice chappie came to measure up for WIR base and construction. He is a friend of ours and has suggested that it might work out cheaper to actually buy the run panels for him to assemble (just seen this company that jayjay has used on another thread http://www.cms-animal-housing.co.uk/Products.html they look really good and are quite near me for picking up so no delivery charges!! Don't quite understand why they don't come up when you do a search for walk in runs on google

 

And................when I was asked if I was getting more chickens in front of OH I just said well.. and he just smiled!!!!!! now what sort should I get

[emchook]

Jill ..Get eveything quick ! !!!!!! Before Oh changes his mind !!!!!

[jill the potter]

I'll do my best....good thing they can't read our minds eh?

[emchook]

definitely !