Part 0800.0005

[enpekt]

I have an empty Eglu which was destined for 3 ex bats, A friend of a friend has some Orpingtons and Black Rocks that they can no longer keep. I know an Eglu is supposed to fit 3 to 4 girls but Orps are BIG,

Wouldn't want girls to be uncomfortable. They currently live in a large shed so it would be a definite downsize,

Does anyone have 2 or 3 Orps in an Eglu, or 2 Orps and a normal size hen.

Should I just say no and wait for the ex bats. Decisions Decisions

[Cooks]

I have orps and I just wouldn't have them in an eglu, but thats my opinion, there is just not enough room for them and the run is not big enough for orps IMO.

[foreveryoung]

would the run be attached to the eglue???

[legend21]

save the little ex batts

[chelsea]

I had growing Cochins in an eglu (who are similar to orps - if not bigger). But we have a walk in run, so plenty of head height. I myself, would not put 2 or 3 grown orpingtons in an eglu & omlet run as they are quite statuesque and need a lot of head height which the eglu run does not provide.

[enpekt]

Thanks for your thoughts, Eglu is inside a WIR so they would only sleep and lay in it. Also would free-range with existing 11 girls once intros done.

Maybe I will go back to plan A and save the ex-bats, it is just so tempting when you are offered new chooks, especially big fluffy Orpingtons.

[Cooks]

Well I know you have the eglu but if your heart is on the orps how about rigging up a dog crate in the WIR?? same idea as the eglu but larger for the girls you want??

[mostin]

if it is just to sleep in and lay then the birds will be ok i think. I have had 7 large fowl, by their own choice sleep in one eglu, but they play in a big tall WIR during the day.

 

maybe you could take the Orps and put them in the eglu until you get some more housing for them, such as the the dog crate cookie has suggested, and then move them into that when you get the ex-batts.

 

Then you have the best of both worlds .

 

i always want to have my cake and eat it .

[ClaireG]

I have my hybrids and some of my pure breed girlies in a plastic dog kennel in a WIR. Am thinking of getting another and a couple of Orps

[Daphne]

I used to keep 2 LF orps in an eglu. However, they spent 90% of the time either in a 50m netting pen or FR. I would say that although you could physically just about fit 3 LF in the eglu for sleeping if one hen was in the nest box, its much better suited to 2 who can perch side by side where they're meant to be - on the bars! I see no reason why you can't have orps in eglu in WIR especially as you can also FR them.

[Cooks]

there aren't just Orps though Daphne, theres black rocks aswell so depending on the choice enpekt makes there could be a few chickens hence me saying maybe a crate short term for intro's would give more flexibility of choice.

[Daphne]

agreed CM I didn't realise enpekt would be rehoming both the black rocks and the orps. And if there are more than 2 orps for rehoming then I wouldn't use the eglu, at least not on its own.

[enpekt]

Thanks all, while it is very difficult to bypass any chance of some more chickens, and all of your helpful suggestions made it seem possible to have the extra ones, the original plan for the empty elgu was to get some ex-bats, so that is what we have decided. We have booked for the next re-homing in our area on 10/4 so now we are really looking forward to welcoming 3 little girlies to a new life filled with lot's of cuddles and love.

[Cooks]

lovely choice

[chelsea]

Fantastic news.

[sparkysmum]

would have been my choice too Ax

[mostin]

Awwwwwwwwwwww

 

it's a lovely time to get ex-batts, you really get to watch them appreciate the spring and all the new grass.

[tom123]

Good luck with them

[MedusA]

Hard as it must have been to turn down some lovely Orps and Balck Rocks, I agree with your decision to wait for the ex-batts.

 

I'm getting my ex-batts on 11th April and can't wait.

[chelsea]

Awwwwwwwwwwww

 

it's a lovely time to get ex-batts, you really get to watch them appreciate the spring and all the new grass.

 

Yes I agree, can we have some pics please when new girlies arrive.