Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Sam]

I have just finished building my WIR and the chickens are in. Its 2.5m wide, and 4.7m long. They have their eglu and 2m run in there as well. It's sheltered against the wind because it's next to the garage.

 

Why aren't they happy?! They are pacing up and down the edge of the WIR frantically and look as if they are trying to escape, but when they are in their 2m run they are more than happy! Due to the snow, the ground is really wet and boggy, so is quite muddy. Could this be the reason they don't seem happy? Thanks for any help.

[Olly]

It sounds fabulous! i reckon they are just settling in, it's different and they are seeing different views from before. In my experience chickens don't mind a bit of mud, but if it's boggy all over they'll not be able to scratch around - if it's covered, you could add some aubiose or woodchip or similar to help dry it up a bit.

[Egluntyne]

Don't let them see you looking. they will perform and try to trick you into letting them out.

 

It will take a few days to settle in, but they will be fine.

[Sam]

Haha I've noticed that! When they see me near they all run faster and closer to the door, it's so tempting to let them out! But they need to get used to where home is first Thanks for the advice BTW- How many chickens do you think could comfortably live in the WIR?

[Cranfield Kate]

mine have an enormous run and they still pace. it's very upsetting but i think they would pace against any fence if they could see the other side. it's just natural chicken-mindedness.

[Plum]

If they had a 500 metre run they'd still pace the edge and if you put them outside and you sat inside they'd pace the edge trying to get in

[chicken bark]

Haha I've noticed that! When they see me near they all run faster and closer to the door, it's so tempting to let them out! But they need to get used to where home is first Thanks for the advice BTW- How many chickens do you think could comfortably live in the WIR?

 

The minimum requirement is 1 square metre per hen. But that is the minimum. If there will be free ranging most of the day and are only in the WIR for a few hours then that would make a difference to the numbers you could have. Also you could add levels to the WIR (eglu on a table for example) then that could make a difference to how many you can have. Personally I think the more space per hen the better. A happy 6 rather than an unhappy 10.

Of course Bantams need less space...

[Sam]

Ahh right! It's quite nice that they like to be around humans! Put down some barkchips earlier to make it a bit drier, but it started raining after and everything got soaked, including one chicken who was stupid enough not to go in their 2M sheltered run! She was soaked I had to put her in the run like the other 3! Silly girl.

[quickcluck]

Our WIR is 6m x 3m and we have 14 in there at the moment, plus an eglu and cube which are both off the floor. I probably wouldn't put more in there....

 

We do have many perches, high and low, and a wooden swing!

[migsy]

I've got 5 in a 2 x 4m run which is plenty of space but they still make loads of noise to be let out. It is just more interesting outside!

[Sam]

an eglu and cube which are both off the floor, and a wooden swing!

 

Sounds brilliant! May I just ask though, how do your chickens decide what eglu to go in?! I was thinking what would happen if I put another eglu in, and thought that all the chickens might just clamber into one eglu and leave the other empty! I like the idea of the swing haha! Do they use it?! Would be hilarious to see a chicken swinging!

[migsy]

I got a 2nd eglu but all 6 huddled into one.

[Plum]

Don't do it! My OH made a swing and very proud he was of it. The chickens couldn't balance enough to get off and when they did it shot back and if any chicken had been in it's path they would have been caput

[Sam]

Migsy; thats just what I thought might happen! Seems a bit of a waste then, but cruel if you force 6 to live in one eglu! Ah well, I'm happy with my 4

 

Oh no! It sounded such a good idea at first! Wouldn't want to see any of my chooks hurt though

[migsy]

You could always get a cube .....

[Derwenna]

Even when the gate to the run is open ours will pace the fence, sometimes seeming quite agitated, when they see us at the kitchen window - I think of it as their Steve McQueen impression! They're absolutely fine though, may be for a chicken the grass is always greener on the other side...

 

We used Aubiose in our run until the supply ran out, currently using Easy Bed (I think it's called). They love scratching around in it and we change and compost it every couple of months. I'll have huge potatoes next year!

[Redwing]

If you are looking then they are unhappy

 

If you are not looking they are perfectly content

 

Chooks are soooooo good at emotional blackmail

[Sam]

Would love to have a cube, but only just bought the eglu, doubt my parents would like to spalsh out on a £500 cube Ah well, I'll make do

[quickcluck]

At the moment 11 are in the cube and 3 bantams put themselves in the eglu, it's their own choice, sometimes some choose to sleep on the outside perches!!!

 

They do use the swing and the jungle gym! The swing is great for their balance, plus a hanging feeder is up there to encourage them

[Aunty e]

We have six (two are bantams) in a 9ft by 12 ft run with various toys and different levels. They have a wooden house with an extra bit of run attached to the side of the WIR. Our seven ex-batts will be joining them shortly, but we wouldn't put any more in really. We're going to build in some more levels, and they really enjoy playing on our old garden furniture which we put in for them. They love their huge perches as well, and we're going to give them mirrors to play with soon. Anything a budgie might like, a chicken will go for Ours have bark in their run, and we chuck all the leaves from the garden in there too for them to scratch about in.

 

We have considered expanding our run a bit next year - it's modular after all

[blackgold]

Migsy; thats just what I thought might happen! Seems a bit of a waste then, but cruel if you force 6 to live in one eglu! Ah well, I'm happy with my 4

 

When I had just the one WIR I had 2 eglus in there. They always slept all together in the one . All 6 of them. The other they laid in. All 6 xx They had the choice and they liked to cuddle up together at night. In really hot weather they slept in the dustbath box. The run is really a dog run so completely fox proof. It also has a roof so is dry as well. If I go into the dog yard they scream to be let out. I let them out and go in their run to sweep up etc and they all come back in for a cuddle or to see if I have treats. . My hens are mad.

[Sam]

I know!! They really do play with me, luring me into letting them out!! Been out with them today, and they were using one of the perches! None of them seem to be jumping on anything yet, just scratching about so was quite surprised when one was onto of a bucket and one a perch! The barkchips seem to be drying out but everywhere in my garden seems to be quite boggy but the chickens seem happier Just need to get a permanent roof on the WIR now

 

Auntie E, your WIR sounds really good! I was thinking of hanging a mirror up for them, but thought that sounded really stupid thinking only a budgie would enjoy that! I think I will put one in there now haha!

 

Black gold, I thought thats what would happen, all of them sleeping in one! They all cram so close together in their eglu it seems as if they wouldn't want to be separated in different houses. Thanks for all your responses guys

[jlo]

We have a run that is about 6m x 6m. It doesn't have a roof but I have two eglu with 3 metre runs in there so that they could shelter when it rains - not that they do of course!

 

Mine go through phases of sleeping together or apart - not sure what it depends on really - all very random! It is handy having a second eglu though for intros.

 

Like all the others - if mine see me, they will all run up and down the side of the run looking very hard done by but I have crept down a side path and watched them and they are fine when there is no audience!

[Nobby65]

Don't do it! My OH made a swing and very proud he was of it. The chickens couldn't balance enough to get off and when they did it shot back and if any chicken had been in it's path they would have been caput

 

 

They would have taken notice of that and put it before the escape committee.Right now they will be in the planning stages of some mass brake out.

[migsy]

Do you think chickens recognise the sound of your car? When I pull up on the drive and get out I can hear them shouting but when I park on the road I don't hear them.