Chicken boarders

[JillM]

I know the guidance is 2 - 4 depending on size, but as a complete newcomer to the world of chicken keeping I have no idea about the comparable szes of the different breeds.

 

I am getting 1x Gingernut Ranger and 1x Miss Pepperpot with the Eglu. I would like to get another one too. But where do I start?

 

I'd like to introduce it at the same time as the others arrive in order to reduce any squabbling, and the only place local to me to get chickens is the farmyard animal centre in my local park. They have mature hens, and some at what they call Stage 5 (presumably POL). From what I have seen today there are what appear to be Speckled Sussex, Laced Wyandotte (I really like the look of these - would this be bigger than my girls, what is it like in temperament and laying?), there are Rhode Island Red, something that looks like a Barnevelder, Marans, Welsummer, Leghorn and apparently Polish (but they don't look like the pic in my book). Does anybody have any information on which might be the best to go for? I live in a city, so don't want something that might have the tendancy to be so vocal she upsets the neighbours.

 

Tall order? Sorry...

 

But thank you so much for taking the trouble to read this.

[Sam]

Hellooo. I don't really have much advice, but we have 4 pretty big hybrids, and they all fit in their eglu comfortably. It looks as if I could even fit 2 more in, they all cram together at night!! (I wouldn't attempt it though ) Oh and sometimes some eggs end up on the roosting bars and I can only imagine this is because there is another girl in the nesting box, but other than that they all seem fine I'm no expert but if you bring 2x girls from one place and 2x girls from another and introduce them at the same time, it should be a lot easier than introducing them a few weeks later because they should get a pecking order quickly. Someone more experienced will probably help you out though Good luck and keep us updated - with piccies

[chestnutmare]

I'm new to the Eglu world but I have the understanding that it's the run size that's more the issue than the Eglu house itself. I have three in a with a 3m run (so standard with extension). They are happy in this space and there is a good amount of room in there for them. Where are you Jill? Are you looking for another hybrid to go with your two Omlet girls?

[Chicken Licken]

I have 4 in mine at the moment - 2 speckeldy's who are at the big end of the hybrid scale, a columbine and a bovans nera. They fit in with plenty of space at night times, and they all wedge themselves into about 1/2 of the available room for warmth at the moment. Mine free range during the day and are never shut in the run (although I do have a run extension should I need to - they would complain loudly though. Have you thought about getting an extra hen from Omlet along with the Eglu? It would be easier as it would be the same age as the other 2 and no problem with introductions.

[scarlettohara]

In the classic last night were 7 bantams and a very large bluebelle

[JillM]

Thanks Sam, that's good to know. And nice to meet you too by the way

I was concerned that they might get stressed out if a much larger bird was in there too...

 

Hi Chestnutmare, I have added the 1metre extension to the standard run on my order as no-one can ever have too much space, can they? I'm in Sheffield, and yes I'd like another chicken to go with the girls when they arrive.

 

Hi Chicken Licken, are the ones I listed in my post hybrids or pure breds?I haven't a clue! I did't realise I could add another chicken to my order. Is that possible?

 

Hi Scarlettohara, I'd wondered about bantams but how big are the eggs?

 

Thank you everyone so much for replying so quickly. You're all wonderful!

[Space Chick]

SpOt on chestnutmare, it's the run size that's the issue... 5 will sleep in a classic comfortably but I would say you would need a run extension possibly 2 to have 4 girls. My friend has 5 in her eglu but has 3 extensions

 

If you have an extension you'd be fine with 3 poss 4 dependant on what free ranging you can offer

[JillM]

Hi Space Chick They would be in the 3m run while I'm at work but with an enlarged run area during the weekend while I'm in the garden - and of course over the summer evenings too. I plan to then build a larger run (possibly WIR) at the bottom of the garden during the summer that the Egu will fit into on a raised platform to give them more room.

[Space Chick]

I'd say you'd be fine with 4 then

[JillM]

That's great, thank you.

 

Would any breeds be too big to go in the Eglu? (I am NOT going to get my son the turkey he saw today! )

[Space Chick]

Anything very large fowl like Cochins, Brahmas, Orpingtons and Jersey Giants would be too big.

 

However most large fowl pure breeds and hybrids would be fine

[chestnutmare]

Have sent you pics of the with three girls and with the extension added.

 

All this talk of Eglus and getting chickens makes me want more chickens *stamps feet*.

[Poached Egg]

I love the sight of morehens on the forum! Especially when the first girls haven't arrived - it helps alleviate my symptoms

 

Welcome JillM - I agree with the above and would suggest considering egg colour when making your selection to give you variety - marans= dark brown, Polands = white... Also have a look at the breeds section on omlet, it has useful info including friendliness and garden landscaping services (also known as 'this was my lawn and these were my flower/veg beds')

[Redwing]

 

I'd like to introduce it at the same time as the others arrive in order to reduce any squabbling, and the only place local to me to get chickens is the farmyard animal centre in my local park. They have mature hens, and some at what they call Stage 5 (presumably POL). From what I have seen today there are what appear to be Speckled Sussex, Laced Wyandotte (I really like the look of these - would this be bigger than my girls, what is it like in temperament and laying?), there are Rhode Island Red, something that looks like a Barnevelder, Marans, Welsummer, Leghorn and apparently Polish (but they don't look like the pic in my book). Does anybody have any information on which might be the best to go for? I live in a city, so don't want something that might have the tendancy to be so vocal she upsets the neighbours.

 

Tall order? Sorry...

 

But thank you so much for taking the trouble to read this.

 

The ones you list are all pure breeds:

 

Speckled Sussex, Wyandottes and Barnevelder are all buxom birds, a little bigger than a hybrid, are all quite calm and would take to Eglu life

 

Welsummers and Leghorns are a lighter bird, a bit more lively and not the first choice for Eglu living

 

RIR and Marans fall somewhere in the middle

 

A Poland wouldnt be the best choice to put with two hybrids, Polands suffer from poor vision due to their hairdo and also have a soft spot on their heads which is often the target of pecking

 

If you ahve the standard run and 1m extra I would go for three birds in total, I have had four in a set up like that and to be honest it wasnt ideal

[chestnutmare]

If you ahve the standard run and 1m extra I would go for three birds in total, I have had four in a set up like that and to be honest it wasnt ideal

I have a lovely amount of room in mine with the extension. I wouldn't want to add anymore than that either. Looks like I'll have to buy another Eglu then.

[Redwing]

Or a walk in run CM....

 

I have eight Wyandotte bantams living in one Eglu at the moment but they have a lovely walk in run

 

(eight is probably a couple too many but they are happy enough )

[scarlettohara]

They way they squash up you could probably fit a few more in