All 3 chickens stopped laying today

[chuckmum6]

I am considering starting a 'Chicken Club' at school and wondered what your opinion of the Go is. I would aim to get 4 bantams to live in a 3m run. I am hoping that during the school day 8 - 6 they would have an area in our Early Years garden to free range in (I would use 25m of netting to contain them in this). Over the weekend and hols they would be confined to their run. Any thoughts?

I would really like to get a cube but the school can't afford the cost as it is nearly £900!

[chicken bark]

That sounds great. I think that is the right amount of chickens for the space and the children will love them.

 

Are you going to have to look after them over the holidays?

 

Not seen a GO but I have read that the run is better than the Classic as it can be accessed from the side, but that the quality of plastic is not the same.

 

I'd GO for it. (Sorry )

[Ailie]

I have a Go with 2 Gingernuts and one Pepperpot. I let them free range for a lot of the time because the run feels quite small for them otherwise... and it's a nightmare to clean out because it's so low.

 

They're moving into a walk-in run at the weekend and I'd definitely recommend that as an option to look into.

[chuckmum6]

I have just had a look at a Go and am not that impressed, it has more flimsy plastic and just isn't a patch on a cube. I went to get some hens for a friend who is just starting out and the breeder had the Go and Green Frog housing, neither impressed me. So I think I will go down the cube route if I can get on second hand for the school in the next few months.

[Ailie]

I have just had a look at a Go and am not that impressed, it has more flimsy plastic and just isn't a patch on a cube.

 

The plastic isn't actually as flimsy as you think - that's an outer fascia. The interior is very sturdy... I took mine apart this weekend to remove the run, so have had a good look! Also, it's so much easier to clean out than the cube because it doesn't have that split between trays.

 

If you only want a few chooks, or are on a tighter budget, the Go is a really good starter option. I wouldn't dismiss it so quickly.

[Guest]

I have the Omlet netting- have had it for years, and have been really pleased with it. Just thought I ought to mention that it is brilliant with 'normal' size chickens but I have found with my flock of bantams that a lot of them can get through it even though it has closer wire along the bottom - it doesn't seem to deter them in the slightest. I do have rare breed game birds, and Sebrights, and Rosecombs, which are small breeds, the bigger bantams like the Orpingtons etc should be OK with the netting. The Pekins used to run at it and push their way through too! Just something to take into account when choosing breeds.