Cube Mark One Run

[tinaduffyjames]

Hi my eglu Go and 2 chickens are arriving from Omlet next Wed. However, the more I read on this site and on other sites has made me question whether or not to ring them and ask for 3. My main concern is if something should happen to one of them then one would be by itself and have to go through the introduction of new housemates etc. On the negative though is I am worried about noise levels so would 3 just be too much. I know that 3 would need the added run part which they dont yet do for the 'GO' but we have fenced a third of the garden off anyway for the chickens ( size approx 12 foot wide by 20 foot long) so they would not be always contained in the run. So would it matter that the run was only standard 2m long then? If the general concensus is to go for 3 I will ring Omlet tomorrow.

Cheers

[sewitall]

I changed my order from 2 chickens to 3. It costs £12 for an additional chicken. If 1 departs this world then I will wait a while and get 2 more.

[Burtie14]

I'm a COMPLETE rookie (in fact I don't even have any chickens - I've just got a large concrete base in my garden, which I hope to put a run on at the weekend) so please take my thoughts with a pinch of salt but my personal view is that 3 is a nice number. Chickens seem to be pretty sociable, and if - heaven forbid - one of your chickens has a mishap, you won't be left with one solitary chook all on their own. In terms of space, I can't really comment, but it sounds like they wouldn't be too squashed up. I don't think the noise lvels will be any different really, though I may be wrong.

 

Three is the magic number.

[Egluntyne]

I'd go for three, for the reasons you state.

[Purplemaniacs]

Three is a good number to start with

 

then 6

 

then 8

 

then 10

 

Chrissie

[kerryegg]

Have 3. I had 2 and when 1 died had the agro of introducing 3 new ones to my old lady. All together now but quite a worrying time. 3 or more if you can.

[ISCA]

I agree, get 3 in case of problems with one. A hen left all alone is not recomended. The noise level from 3 hens is minimal. I have 6 and they are quiet (though still young, maybe they get noisier as they get older?!).

[squidsin]

I started with two, for the exact reasons you state, then added another one at the weekend! They are bantams though and tiny and not very noisy at all. It's really up to you but I'd see how it goes with two before adding another one. I found the introduction wasn't a problem as I'd only had mine for two weeks before adding the other, although it might be different with hybrids.

[chick wiggle]

I agree with the majority too, 3 is better for many reasons, the extra noise level is no more than 2, they keep each other better company and as has been stated, if the worse should happen you wont have 1 lone chicken left with the stress of introductions.

let us know how you get on

[PurpleTree]

I'd say 3, as Chick wiggle said 3 wouldn't really be any noisier than 2, it all depends on your particular hens anyway. I've got mine in an Eglu with the standard run, they always seem happy enough when they are in it and I've not had any problems. They are not in it all the time generally though.

 

Good luck whatever you decide

[tinaduffyjames]

Hi, just an update. I have ordered another gingernut to be delivered with the original 2. So excited. Been waiting 3 weeks now and next wed seems so far away. x

[chickyhazel]

Post some pics for us!

[scarlettohara]

Post some pics for us!

 

Don't forget we're waiting

[kerryegg]

Wish I had started with 3 from Omlet. my new 3 from a local supplier are laying from day one but are the thugs of the chicken world. Look like Pepperpots but with mean eyes and very small combs. Now were gloves and wellies in the run to avoid pecking. They all let me pick them up for a cuddle but I think if I lay down in the run they would probably eat me!

Despite this Ginger is still top hen.

[Luvachicken]

Kerryegg, are you sure you didn't buy Veloceraptors

[chickenNutter]

Three is a good number to start with

 

then 6

 

then 8

 

then 10

 

Chrissie

 

Got to be three. One more than the number you first thought of is the basis of all Chicken Maths

[kerryegg]

What are they? I've Googled now. They were only £9.50 each and an egg a day from day one so I am more or less sure they are hens.

[Tony]

Three is a good number to start with

 

then 6

 

then 8

 

then 10

 

Chrissie

 

Yes, I started with 4, I now have 10 and as soon as the Mrs looks the other way I'll have a few more. In fact only today I was planning on moving my strawberry patch in order to extend the run another 10 foot.

 

On a practical note, two eggs per day (assuming they both lay) wouldn't be enough for us as we have a large family. Having to "save up" for a few days just so the whole family can have egg and chips on the same day gets very annoying. Not having enough eggs is not a good thing, having too many just helps you make friends. So I'd say get as many birds as your space will allow.