Chickens all want to stay in the doorway!

[xScrunchee]

And what about connecting a converter onto the run and putting it straight onto the patio slabs and then putting auboise directly into the run?

 

Would this work? and with the converter could I have 4 hens?

 

I already thought about having to sweep up what they kick out every day, that's not a problem and I thought that I would put bricks, pots or slabs around the run on the skirt so that a fox wouldn't be able to lift it and get under.

 

Am I being too greedy now wanting 4? lol

 

Should I just stick to three? Be honest everyone

[The Dogmother]

You could fit 4 in if you did that. I haven't read all through your post, but what's stopping you from keeping it on the hard ground with Aubiose inside?

[xraylady]

Before anyone has had a chance to reply-here I am again!!!!!! lol

 

Anyway, just measured the patio and have discovered that I could fit an extension onto the run if I don't make a permanent base.

So-could I put the eglu with run+extension straight onto the patio and then put the wood chippings or that horse stuff people keep talking about but I can't remember the name of (begins with 'a')- straight into the bottom of the run?Would this work and would this allow me to have 4 hens?

 

Sorry- I know I'm a pain

Imagine how my family feel!

 

So, if I understand your set-up correctly; The Eglu+run+extension will physically fit on your patio, but only just?

 

If so, you might want to try what I have done with my eglu. I used breeze blocks to create a platform for the eglu to sit on & a ring of blocks which support the run skirt only.

 

I then filled in the ring of breeze blocks with the Aubiose-facsimile-horse bedding-stuff, available here.

The Eglu+run sits on top & can be slid off, easily by 2 people &, with lots of cursing, by 1.

 

It takes a bit of fiddling to get the ring set up just right - but the advantage of breeze blocks is that they come in several standard sizes (& are very cheap!) - so as long as your patio is not too uneven - you can just push the blocks around to get the best fit.

 

I then chose smaller, more attractive, rectangular pavers. These sit on top of the run skirt. They look nice, help keep the aubiose from falling into the breeze blocks (the chooks will kick it a surprisingly long way!) & stop predators/vermin gaining access to the run.

 

The aubiose stuff lasts for ages! Just rake it over occasionally & throw a new bag on top. I don't know how much is in a bag in the UK - but I filled my run about 5" deep for about 40 dollars.

 

The other big advantage of raising the run+eglu on blocks, is that you don't sacrifice any of the height of the run. The chickens can then still flap their wings comfortably etc.

 

Here is a photo which shows what I have done - hope you can see what I mean easier than my description above! The album is called 'Eglu set-up on patio'. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/smwrt/album/576460762399936788

 

 

Hope this helps give you some more ideas - & allows you to keep more chickens!

 

P.S. the black stuff around the bottom of the run is plastic lawn edging - which helps keep more of the bedding inside the run than being kicked out.

[xScrunchee]

It's not that there's anything from stopping me it's simply that pretty much every post I have read say that they have their eglu and run on a permenant base done with log-roll and wood/auboise.

 

I wondered if anyone has actually got theirs on slabs and just puts the flooring 'into' the run.

 

Sorry if I waffle on.

 

So, in your opinion that would be fine for 4 hens? Straight on the slabs with an auboise floor covering and the run made bigger by attaching a converter?

 

Cheers. I will be quiet now-honest! lol

[The Dogmother]

No, that's fine Jay, I just didn't really understand where you were coming from there. Ask all the questions you like.

 

Mine have an extension (converter) and aubiose/hemcore but are on the hard ground, which suits them fine. The poo just disappears.

[xScrunchee]

Xraylady-that is exactly what I was speaking about and it looks lovely-thank you for your help

 

And thank you Clare, sorry that I didn't make myself clearer to start with I think it's all this chicken excitment making me waffle on too much

 

I have now made a FINAL decision, lol, I am going to stick to my three hens and be happy!!

I was having a moment of insanity and just thinking of ways I could squeeze some extra chickens into my life but I am better now-back on planet earth and happy to get the three girls which I originally wanted.

 

They are coming on 8th May and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!

[Guest]

Hello,

 

which 3 girls did you go for?

[xScrunchee]

I ended up going for 1 pepperpot and 2 Gingernuts.

Still would have preferred 3 different ones but everyone says I will be able to tell the difference between the Gingernuts.

I know I'll love 'em all though so that's what counts

 

What ones are you getting?

[xScrunchee]

Don't know why that says 'quote'. Mmm, I must have pressed something!! lol