What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[goodinparts]

Have been havering for weeks about whether to get a 2nd eglu - either classic or cube - to my lovely

The 3 happy hybrids are more than contented with their quarters, specially as I bought an extension for the run - and I'm very happy with them but know that I want more hens in the spring....(Dithering on that too....love pekins but with muddy garden and crazy busy might they be a tad high maintenance? I also love faverolles and cochins...) DEFINITELY can't have more before then....as "Ooops, word censored!"ody understands why I want any more at all........

Common sense says "So wait to buy more housing til the new girls are actually happening soon"........

The family cant understand morehen disease, don't get why I wanted the extension, or why I should be even considering adding to my flock....so a longer gap between initial purchase and the follow up gives them longer to acclimatise

otoh VAT rises and omlet price rises and the fact that there is a cube for sale at the moment that I can very nearly afford (though it's green and I did rather want red or purple)

I know "Ooops, word censored!"ody can decide but me - but advice would be welcomed....I can't have a WIR, lovely though that might be...too many moves as a vicar....Just WISH someone else in the family understood the fatal attraction of chooks!

[Plum]

They might if you give them some as a Christmas present

[karlotta]

Do.

[daxigirl]

I know where you're coming from. Knowing that my delivery is imminant (think I spelt it right) I have been naughty and bought a Barnevelder and a CC Legbar today, but I'd also like something and something to go with them. I haven't told my family about the cube and 2 newcomers as they'd think I was balmy spending so much money. I can just picture the frowns now, I feel a bit like a naughty child.

[chicken bark]

Goodinparts - If it is between a cube or classic I would say get a cube. Get some electric netting. Move your current girls into the cube, use the you have for introductions next year. Then move them into the cube too. You will then have the free for when you get a broody and want her to hatch some eggs.

 

By getting the electric netting you are not restricting yourself on the number of hens you get by the size of the run. You can then by a cube without a run. And you also know your hens can free range in safety.

[Janty]

Cubes are definitely better IMO.

The runs are higher and so better for branches and other entertainment features.

 

[goodinparts]

I've done it

I missed the affordable that Quin advertised on Friday, but told OH about it and he encouraged me to bid for a couple on ebay which both went for far more than I reckoned we could actually afford - but the result of all that was that he positively ENCOURAGED me to order the 2nd hand that has been on market place for a bit.

I'm so excited! It's nearer that most of the others I've been looking at, it matches my AND OH has offered to take his Volvo over to Oxford to collect it.......(think he's trying to cheer me up in advance about all the children disappearing to uni - youngest starts his first year on Saturday)

And once the is here, I can start working out how to fill it

Wheeeee

[Janty]

Congratulations

 

 

Why not look at bantams? I love watching my pekins.

[daxigirl]

Hoorah for you, that's great. So what are you going to add to your flock.

 

Mine hasn't even arrived and I've got some new babies.

[goodinparts]

DRAT

Apparently the eglu cube had gone some time ago but the seller's attempts to update the omlet marketplace were unsuccessful - so we're back to the drawing board/eBay/other cubes on market place. Trying not to feel too disappointed - the main (and startling) thing is that OH seems to be quite OK with my investing in a cube - and if I'm not going to get the chooks till spring it doesn't matter THAT much. Still a bit sad, tho

[Lorax]

That IS disappointing but another one will come along and it will probably be purple! And look at the good things that have come out of this: you now know you definitely, absolutely want a cube and your OH is super on board! But you haven't actually spent any money yet...Sounds like a good outcome to me!!

[daxigirl]

Oh dear that is a shame, keep an eye out on Market Place, I couldn't believe it when I saw the just around the corner from me and it was a great price. Never dreamed I'd find a second hand one without having to bid on it.

 

At least you know OH agrees and you won't have the guilt trip like me. I'm working on no holidays for me next year (haven't looked at handbags n shoes for a couple of months either).

[goodinparts]

Daxigirl - I was so surprised that OH suddenly softened to the whole thing...He had been really grumpy about my girls, then switched to the long-suffering "If you must" approach - which actually made me feel even worse.......and it was only when suddenly there was a cube up the road (which went for silly money in the end) that his views changed.

I'm certainly planning to keep my eyes open - and continue dreaming of more chooks in the spring. Hope your OH has a similar conversion

[Janty]

I'm sorry that you missed out this time. Keep a look out on eglus/cubes for sale. That's where I got my second cube and it was a real bargain. Hope you get sorted soon.

 

At least you've cracked the first hurdle...getting hubby on board. Mine offered to buy me another cube for Christmas and he was very sceptical about the whole chicken thing at first.

[goodinparts]

Thanks,Janty...that's really encouraging

Was it you who has Cochins? Just wondering how they might be in a rather muddy garden - don't want to make life hard for their feathery legs..Opinions welcome (Still plotting the ways I will fill this cube when I finally get it

[Janty]

I've got two cochins, five brahmas, two marans and nineteen pekins all with feathery legs and they all enjoy getting absolutely filthy in the mud. I do foot checks every few days to make sure that they don't get mud balls but they are fine.

[goodinparts]

Hooray. RIGHT answer

another failure to buy an ebay cube tonight (it went up to £650, at which point I would prefer to buy new and have someone clever put it all together......AND buy purple ) but the more I can't get the accommodation sorted, the more I need to focus on teh hens I'll eventually get. Yours sound lovely....lots from my wish list

[Janty]

There might just be a jubilee Orpington and a splash Orpington arriving tomorrow.

 

 

And a breeder that I know has bred two pekin girls for me as I had admired his when I dropped off two cockerels to him. They are a cross between silver partridge and buff columbian. They are buff coloured with the black neck and bustle but every feather is partridge marked. I will be collecting them soon and then it HAS to stop or I will have to register with Mr. Defra.

 

[goodinparts]

Oh wow.....Will look forward to pictures soon, then

[Janty]

Will post some on Sunday. Going out for hubby's birthday meal tomorrow.