Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[ZoeBunny]

Hi everyone... ok so I openly admit it, I've been lurking in here for a while... a loooong while

 

Not exactly a newbie on chicken keeping as my parents used to keep them when I was younger. But after 2 of the neighbours free rangers decided to set up nest box under one of my bushes I've had a regular source of fantastic eggs which has started me off again wanting some of my own.

 

I would really appreciate your opinions/advice as to my current 'situation'... been offered a classic MKII eglu with 2m run for £225 of someone I know, who knows someone, or a cube with 3m run for £550... only really wanted around 3 hens but of course would like to give them a spacious home. But which to choose?????!!!

 

I know the run on the classic is not ideal but I'm happy to build/buy a WIR in the new year giving them extra space but the lure of the cube cannot easily be ignored

 

Surely if I only want to keep around 3 hens the classic is enough??? It's not really a matter of the money/cost, but more of the up keep. I already have a rather boisterous dog, 15 month old baby, parrot and copious fish tanks to look after. Am I better to stick to the classic and provide a better WIR or bite the bullet and opt for the cube and always wonder if 3 chickens are enough and end up getting more just because I can?

 

On the chicken front, been thinking of getting Light Sussex. Are these a good option if I just stuck to the classic?

 

Any advice greatly received, thanks!

[bouldercroft]

I'm a newbie too - but in a few short months I've grown to realize that I'd really like the girls to have more run space.

I'd go with the classic and build a WIR - if you can restrain yourself to just 3-4 girls

[Mrs Potts]

Hi, ZoeBunny.

 

I agree with Bouldercroft. I have a Mk II Classic with 4m of run, which I purchased second hand. I am very happy with the Classic house. It is fine for my four ex-batteries who are now fairly large ladies and it seems to keep them very warm in winter. Last week, I brushed Hettie's legs by accident during my after dark search for eggs and her legs were really warm, which was reassuring (could someone let me know if hens should have cold legs?!). I think the four hens would rattle around in a Cube house.

 

Like most people, the biggest problem with the current run is cleaning it out and moving it. I can't see that with a Cube that problem would really change, however much run I purchased. I have been humming and haa-ing, poring over finances (especially with the current Classic-Cube trade-in offer). I have been greenly envious of Cube owners for years but love the hens though I do, I'm keeping the Classic house and saving for a walk in run. Better space for them and better access for me.

 

Mrs P.

[Space Chick]

3 hens will be fine in a classic, although the standard run will be a squeeze for them, so you may want to get a run extension. However, you have said about building a WIR in the new year.

 

The only thing I would consider is will you want to expand your flock once you have your WIR? If you do, it may be best to go straight for the cube. That's what I did when I started with 4 in a cube with standard run... I now have a cube, a classic, a large WIR and 16 girls!

[daxigirl]

I'm a cube convert. It's much nicer/easier to clean out. There's always room for some more chooks should the fancy arise. Easier to shift around the garden. Only takes a fraction more room than the Classic (3m including house bit opposed to 2m+ 70cm of ). Easier to buy and fit a tarpaulin to. Easier to get in the run to tidy up/poop pick. Convinced myself all over again how about you?

Edited November 26, 2010 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

All depends on whether you think realistically you'll end up wanting more girls . I know I don't have the space for more than the 6 I have now, so one eglu (which they don't sleep in anyway ) and a walk in run is ideal for me.

 

If you have the room to keep more chickens eventually, perhaps the cube is the best option (rather than buying an eglu and then needing another!)

 

Remember you can have a lot of girls and not always get eggs from them all so if you're wanting a regular supply, the more hens the better .

[ZoeBunny]

Thanks for all your replies so far! Nice to see that you all understand my dilemma

 

I would love more girls, but I really must be strict with myself and stick to the 3no limit purely for practical reasons . Of course I would like a reasonable supply of eggs, but thats not the be all and end all. If they don't lay often etc I am hapy to buy eggs from the local farm (as I do now).

 

I think I'm veering towards the at this point. I have 1/3rd of an acre for the girls to free range in when I'm home, but its not a flat area (3 different levels & a wooded area) and I think that there are more grassy strips of land to move the classic around on, due to its more narrow width, until I manage to get the WIR sorted.

[beach chick]

personally I would go for the cube, because I find it MUCH easier to clean out than the classic.

in terms of numbers of hens, caring for 6, 8 or 10 is not really any much more work than caring for 3 or 4, and it does mean that you should get a regular supply of eggs (allowing for the ones which are moulting, broody, too young, too old, not in the mood this week/month etc!)

Sussex of any variety are lovely birds, quite big and solid, but seem to have nice natures and be pretty healthy. I had one, Mercedes, who went broody at the drop of a hat, but Chardonnay, who I've had for 3 and a half years now, has never gone broody.

[ZoeBunny]

Thanks for all your help/advice everyone... I've bitten the bullet & gone for the cube!!!!

 

Got to arrange to get it collected/delivered, but so excited already!!