Sooo much pooping

[Happily]

I am hoping you guys can help me. I am thinking about getting a cube with a 2m run and was wondering how many chickens I can realistically keep if they will be in the run the most of the time - we work all day and will obviously let them free range when we can but most of their time will be in the run. I am hoping to get pekins, it says on the omlet website that I could keep 6 (if I have read it right!)- is that possible? I don't want to overcrowd them.

 

Also if I just get an eglu go/classic then will I just be limited to 2 chooks and is it ok if they are in the run most of the time?

 

Sorry if I am being a bit dum by asking, I just want to make sure we provide the best home possible when we do finally get some girls.

[Redwing]

I wouldnt get six but three or four Pekins would be very happy in that space

[Happily]

Thank you for replying so fast, I was thinking about 3 or 4 pekins myself so am pleased you think the same.

 

Sorry but another question is it best to keep chickens to an even number e.g. 4 or can I happily keep 3? My Dad seems to think if I get 3 one will be bullied?

[chicken bark]

Odd or even numbers don't matter as long as you don't get left with one solitary hen.

 

I started with 3.

[Happily]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to get some chooks

[Eggie232]

I also own a Cube and have added huge 5m run. But apparently its not just the run size that matters, its the internal space inside the cube. I worked out the internal area of the Cube and it was roughly 8sq ft (or thereabouts).

I think Defra recommend 1sq ft per hen (not sure if this is still accurate?). I spoke to a local rare breeds farm and they recommended 1.5 sq ft per 'light' hen and 2 sq ft per 'heavy' breed!

 

Obviously it's up to each individual on the number of hens they think is right for them, but I have opted for 5 hens in total, to ensure they'll still have plenty of space. Four of these are 'light' breeds and one is classed as a 'heavy'. Hope this helps?

[chicken bark]

I have also read recently that if keeping large hens in a run permanently you need 10 square metres per hen! I'm not sure many with runs would manage that!

[Guest]

Just a suggestion, although I started up with 5 chickens (instead of the planned 3 ) I am staggering increasing the flock to keep production of eggs up(well thats the master plan).

 

After one year with my first 5 I have just been offered some bantams and hope to take 3 very soon to join my current brigade.

 

Mine spend most of the day outdoors in either the run, if I am working, or free ranging, and only pop back to lay an egg or to sleep.

 

Good luck this is a good forum for good advice, all questions good indie

[CR666]

We are planning a WIR (8 foot x 9 foot, this fits nicely into the area we are planning) and I was wondering how many chickens this would be suitable for, we currently have a classic but are considering upgrading to a cube, the chickens would be housed in this WIR most of the time with very limited FR time.

[chicken bark]

We are planning a WIR (8 foot x 9 foot, this fits nicely into the area we are planning) and I was wondering how many chickens this would be suitable for, we currently have a classic but are considering upgrading to a cube, the chickens would be housed in this WIR most of the time with very limited FR time.

 

I'd say no more than 5 if they are going to be in there a lot. You need 10 square feet per hen as a minimum. It is always best to offer them more than the minimum.