Britannia Ovens (esp Range cookers) your experience

[oh-cluck]

Hi all

I am getting my other half a eglu go for his 40th birthday next week as he has been desperate to keep chooks FOREVER!! We are getting it from a local breeder - named as a good one on this site, who has goldlines, bluebelles, neras, speckledys ,ambers, and light and black sussex. I personally would like to get him a speckeldy, nera and goldline as was advised that 3 was a good number, but am slightly nervous if the accomodation/run will be big enough? I work full time 2 days a week so they would be confined to the run then, on the 3rd day they would be able to free range after school time and for the other 4 days when we are in as want to ensure they are supervised as we back on to alot of farm land and there are a number of foxes about.

What does everyone think? - Would like 3 but wonder if 2 would be better? Know my other half is EXTREMELY likely to build WIR but it may take a few months - is it ok to keep 3 until then? Am sure we won't get any more than that due to space in garden etc, but if we just get 2 then you can't really add one can you due to likelyhood of hen pecking etc!

 

Thanks in advance for reading and advice

Edited June 24, 2010 by Guest

[migsy]

I've got 3 in an Eglu Go. They are absolutely fine. They FR a lot but we went away for 3 days last week so they were confined to the run all the time (the neighbours were keeping an eye on them!). They were fine. Yes, in my opinion, 3 is definitely OK.

[Olly]

The EgluGo will hold three birds comfortably for sleeping purposes, it's the size of the run that's important. I've never had a Go, I have always had Classics, and personally I wouldn't keep 3 in a standard run, but then mine get very limited free-ranging time.

 

From another perspective, I would always recommend three rather than two hens, because if the worst happens, you have two hens to keep each other company and don't have to go through the problems of introducing a new hen to a solitary bird.

[chicken bark]

Is there any chance you could get a classic rather than a Go? Then you could get a run extension and that would be okay for 3 with some free ranging time.

 

I'd say go for 3 hens - for the reasons Olly gives.

 

Or go for 3 bantams.

 

Great pressie.

[oh-cluck]

Many thanks for your prompt replies - will have a think! Breeder I'm going to only stocks the go but wondering if I could pick a classic up second hand then I might be able to afford the extension pack!

 

Thanks for your help

[sezra]

Hi. I have had my Go for a week now and I have four hybrid hens in it. I bought it without the run from a local dealer as we built our own. My four chickens have plenty of room and I have been told that in the winter it is nice that they can sunggle up! I think if we hadnt built our own run I would have preferred the Classic so that I could have got the extended run. Good luck with your decision, I am sure your OH will be very pleased with his present!

[tinaduffyjames]

Hi I have had my Eglu Go with 3 hybrids in for 3 weeks now. They do come out every day for some FR but saturdays I work a 12 hour shift and they have to stay in the run then . So far no problems, I make sure if I am out all day that they have something to keep them occupied. Eg a whole cabbage on a string, or a lettuce or i make a pecking block ( recipe on here somewhere).

[oh-cluck]

Have just purchased a reconditioned eglu classic from Omlet Marketplace so I can now afford the run extension!! Had a look on ebay too and missed out on a couple of auctions but found it interesting as looked at past auctions and the classics held their value alot better than the single go I saw which dropped about £150

Getting it delivered to work then going to sneak it home and put it up after OH has gone out in am, then pick up the hens in the afternoon so they're all ready when he gets back on the evening of his 40th

Can't wait - just hope it arrives in time now!!

[chicken bark]

Glad you managed to find something.

[meezers]

How exciting, I love planning surprises. Hope you have the camera ready to catch his face when he sees them

[Purplemaniacs]

How eggciting

 

He is a very lucky OH what better present could he have.

 

Don't forget to take photos.

 

Good luck.

 

Chrissie

[chickyhazel]

If you get bantams get 4 rather than 3 so they can snuggle together and keep warm in winter (I know, it's not winter yet, but best to be prepared).

[Christian]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

Congratulations on getting an eglu and what a lucky OH. Great present

[ISCA]

Good luck with it. A fantastic idea for a present. I got my hens for my birthday too...though sadly I am past the youthful 40 stage already

[oh-cluck]

Hi ALL

Well the girls have arrived and it was a great surprise for my other half!!! I built the eglu with a friend in about an hour in the morning then picked the girls up at lunchtime and let them settle in. We got 2 Goldlines and a Nera (was after a speckeldy but they'd all gone ) Within 1 hour we had our first egg!!!! I was soooooo giddy!

My other half came home in the evening and we were having a barbecue so I sent him out into the garden where he discovered his present!! - Priceless!!

I do have a couple of questions for you chicken experts - one of the girls appears to have an overbite on her bottom jaw - a bit like "Bubba" from Forest Gump!! Is this likely to cause her any problems? She seems to feed and drink ok and scrat around for stuff? Also where do you put the grit? - Just throw it on the ground or get another hopper?

 

Many thanks for your continued advice!!

[ISCA]

Congratulations! Would love to have been a fly on the wall and seen his reaction

 

I have no idea about the overbite but she is obviously able to eat and drink OK, so I can't see it being a problem.

 

As for the grit, I keep mine in a bowl on the run and they help themselves, but scattered should be fine also, whatever suits you.

 

Enjoy the chooks