squidsin Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I've got three pekins that live in an Eglu Classic with the standard run. Normally I let them FR when I am at home, but we only have a tiny garden, and this summer I don't want my toddler playing amongst chicken poo on the lawn, so I've just bought an extension to the run and am planning on keeping them in it when the weather gets nice (please get nice soon!). I just need some reassurance that this is OK! Is there anything I can put in the run to entertain them so they don't just stand at the end staring forlornly at me and trying to blackmail me into letting them out, as they do normally? I always hang broccoli and a beak pecker thing up for them to play with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I'm sure they'll be fine, especially as they're tiny . My 3 big girls were in that size of run all day when I was at work and were fine. I put a log and lots of perchy things in their run - Ikea shoe racks are ideal as the ends fit through the Omlet run (you need to fit 2 together though) I have a photo somewhere if you want to see it. Do you have room to net off a small area for them so they can get out but not poop where your little one plays? If they're pekins, it should be easy enough to get some cheap garden stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsin Posted January 7, 2011 Author Share Posted January 7, 2011 Not really - my garden really is tiny. I'll probably let them out a little bit - as they are so small, their poos aren't too bad to clean up, but I'm having another baby in June so everything this year has got to be as easy as possible. Yes please can I see your Ikea shoe-rack pix. There's an Ikea close by and I need a few bits and bobs anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 No matter how large your run they will always be up one end looking forlornly at you when you go outside. Our WIR is 24ft long and everytime I go outside they are all up by the door desperately wanting to come out. They have tons of space, plus lots of ladders and a mezzanine level, but still they act like they did when they were in their tiny run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsin Posted January 7, 2011 Author Share Posted January 7, 2011 Ha ha. They are great at emotional blackmail, considering they can't speak and have tiny little brains! Mine desperately want to huddle up by the back door - which I suppose is a bit warmer - pooing vigorously all over the patio. I feel like a mean chook mamma, keeping them penned up (although they're allowed out at the moment, it's not like any of the rest of us have any desire to hang out in the back garden, even the cat only goes out for a few minutes at a time) but when it gets a bit warmer, I will have to put my human babies ahead of my animal ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Yes please can I see your Ikea shoe-rack pix. There's an Ikea close by and I need a few bits and bobs anyway... Here you go . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 They are masters of emotional blackmail - if ours know we're there, then they run up and down the front wall of their WIR, running their beaks against the wire and clucking like mad. If you watch them from an u"Ooops, word censored!"served point, they're perfectly happy. Little monsters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Chickens can be very manipulative. Mine would do the whole poor us thing and guilt trip me into letting them out when they wqere in the small run. Now they are in a run 18ft by 12 ft and they still do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 3 little pekins will have plenty of space in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I was worried about my silkies being in the run more in the winter so have bought an extension too, the shoe rack is a brilliant idea. I bought a wooden chunky wine rack today from a charity shop as it provides lots of perching space. Well you would have thought I had put something horrific in their run but I have left it and hopefully they will get to see that it could be fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
