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[docsquid]

DH seems to be weakening towards a WIR, as it would make it much easier to clean out the run. However I'm unsure as to how to dock the Cube to the run.

 

We have an area that contains the Cube and run that is 3.5 metres by 2 metres, fenced off by Link-a-Bord. I would want to use this area. I'd like the chickens to have access to all this area, but also want to have the Cube outside the run. I can't let it stick out and take up an extra bit of the garden, so it will have to be docked into the run in some way.

 

Does anybody have an arrangement where the WIR has the cube docked in, but where it doesn't protrude into the garden (well, not by much anyway). I'd like to be able to access the poo trays and the egg port, not so fussed about the pop-hole closing handle, as I don't shut them in unless it is very cold, and I could go into the run to do that. However I don't want to have to go into the run to clean out the poo trays and check the eggs.

[bronze]

You would have to have it in the corner of the run so that the nest box and the back were both up against the sides of the run.

[Olly]

Agree - I didn't do it in the end, but at one point I was considering an L-shaped run, with the Cube in the 'empty' corner. You'd need access to the nest box and the poo tray so it would have to be at the right-hand rear corner of a rectangle, if that makes sense. You would either have to not close the door (I never do), or have some sort of hole cut so you could go inside the run and pull the door closed from there.

[Plum]

Yes just have it inside in corner and a lift up flap for getting in the rear of the cube and a drop down flap for pulling the poo trays out, and a hatch on side for access to nest box.

[Lewis]

Can't help, but ...

DH seems to be weakening towards a WIR,

 

[docsquid]

Thank you, Lewis. This doesn't mean that more chickens are in the offing, just that the WIR would be much easier for me to clean out and the chickens would have more room when in the run and therefore possibly won't be trashing the garden quite so much.

 

But of course, introductions would be easier too....

[Plum]

He's coming round.

[Lewis]

Thank you, Lewis. This doesn't mean that more chickens are in the offing ...

... yet

 

You'll get some "fancy chickens" eventually

[Plum]

So what chickens are you planning for when your evil plan works

[docsquid]

So what chickens are you planning for when your evil plan works

 

On the list are some more egg-laying hybrids: Bluebelle and Speckledy and probably a Crested/Cream Legbar. I'd also like a Light Sussex and a Barred Plymouth Rock and of course there'd have to be another Eglu with some Silkies.....

 

In reality a couple more hybrids are looking more on the cards than anything else.

[Plum]

Went with my friend to get her some hybrids from Page's poultry over your way. They were lovely she came away with a Sussex Star and a Bluebell. Both lovely girls, she had Speckledy's as well but the Magpie's (I think that is what they are called, Sussex but other way round) were fantastic. The white on the chest was laced like you see on a laced wyandotte. Very pretty.