Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[grb944]

Hello all

I've won a red cube on eBay, but haven't collected it yet!

 

The omlet website say is suitable for 6-10 chickens.

Does that mean having 6 in there is better than 4 ?

 

I can't decide how many to buy !!

 

 

It has a 3m run and they will be in the run most of the time..as is a city garden

I worry about 6 stuck all day in a 3 metre run..but is the cube too big for just 4 ??

 

This forum is great..I#m getting so so much advise from reading all the topics

 

Greg - Coventry

[Roobaloo]

You can have only two in a cube if you want! They'll just snuggle together for warmth!!

 

Definitely think 6 is too many if they have to stay in the run...4 might even be a bit tight if they don't get much free-ranging time....

[Redwing]

three or four small - medium sized chooks would be fine but I wouldnt go more than that

[migsy]

Surely 6 must be fine if Omlet say it is suitable? The 3m run looks pretty big, esp as it is taller than the Classic or Go run. I wonder what the Omlet people would suggest. They are quite helpful if you want to give them a call.

[poachedegg]

To provide more space we put in a mezzanine level, freestanding perches, a step stool, a plastic stool, broom handle perches and they are more than happy. So maybe you need to think more laterally (or vertically )

[Redwing]

Surely 6 must be fine if Omlet say it is suitable? The 3m run looks pretty big, esp as it is taller than the Classic or Go run. I wonder what the Omlet people would suggest. They are quite helpful if you want to give them a call.

 

 

The recommendations given are for the house not the run

 

Most chicken coop manufacturers do the same

 

its the run size that restricts the number of chooks you can have

[The Dogmother]

When you say that it has a 3 metre run, do you mean that it has the regular run and one extension (which equals 3m including the bit under the house)?

 

If that's the case, then 4 hens would be best. As others have said, it depends on how much time they spend in the run; you have to allow for the odd days when you're out all day and need to leave them in the run all day.

[Daffodill]

I misunderstood the advice on how many chickens to keep in a cube - when it actually arrived i realised that you could never keep 6-10 in a standard run or one with an extension for that matter. I would say 3 in a standard and 4 in an extended run if they all get on well together - if there is any bullying it can get very fraught as there is nowhere for the bullied one to hide-so the more area you can give them the better. I also read somewhere that you should allow 1m squared per chicken in a run as a rule of thumb. Hope this helps

[chuckmum6]

If you go for bantams you can fit a few more in especially with the extra levels. I used old roosting bar that came with the cube to make a roosting table and bought new plastic ones for inside. You could have 4 or 5 bantams happily in a 3m run, you can get some very pretty looking chickens too! The cube itself certainly could take many bantams but it is the run that is important, mine is 5m and they do free range half the time - good luck and let us know what you get!

Edited May 28, 2010 by Guest

[Torrin]

I have a red cube and had 4 hens in it with a 3m run and minimal fr time for nearly a year - they were quite happy, but i did introduce branches, hanging cd's and hanging veg.

[grb944]

Thanks for all the advice..common view seems to be 4 is best for cube and 3 metre run..

I've kind of set my heart on having 6 so I'm going to order another 1mtre extension of Omlet.

 

I want to get 3 different breeds..so I get different color eggs!

 

2 Marans for brown eggs

2 sussex or leghorn for white

and 2 of a breed that lay blue eggs

 

I've got the cube now..still in bits in the van !

Going to construct the cube today and leave in Garden to see how the neighbours react !!

 

still learning !!!

Greg