littlehenny Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I have 3 hens in an Eglu with standard run. They have stopped laying so I am thinking about introducing two younger chooks to live with them. Question is, is an Eglu big enough for 5 standard size hens? My girls currently free range all day, from the time they are let out of the Eglu in the morning til they go to bed at night, so they hardly use the run unless they are sheltering from the rain!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I think that 5 hens could squash up together in an eglu but I'd rather it was their choice to bunk up together rather than it being the only option. Maybe it's time for a cube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 It is recommended that you ahev up to 4 standard size chickens in an eglu. Although they could squash up together, personally I would upgradfe to a cube. When we got more than 4 chickens, that is what we did, and it worked fine. I prefer the cube as it's quicker and easier to clean, and you can keep more chickens in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlehenny Posted May 7, 2010 Author Share Posted May 7, 2010 Ooohh, don't think the OH would be pleased at idea of a cube though he came home tonight and told me that it's the farmers market at chelford tomorrow Ha ha - his fault if we have to buy some more!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 If you can't get a cube, how about another eglu, or a go! You would have to keep some chooks separate but you could have more... and they are much cheaper than cubes. Your OH might prefer that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debby Tutton Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 If you sell your current Eglu it would make the Cube cheeper ! That would mean it would save you money ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I have five hens sleeping in an Eglu, and they seem perfectly healthy and happy, they spend their day in a large walk-in run. If your hens can really free range all day then I think they'd be ok sleeping five to an Eglu, although it's true that it's not recommended. A couple of considerations, though: firstly, you'll need to separate the new girls at first, at least during the daytime - read the introductions thread as it has some really useful advice. Secondly, what if they can't free range for some reason - you're on holiday/away/ill, you suddenly discover a fox problem, or some other reason? You couldn't keep five in a standard Eglu run for very long without problems, so you might want to think about possible contigency plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 You will need to extend the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
