Sooo much pooping

[Andrls]

Hi, I'm new to keeping hens and have just bought an eglu cube and run. I have a good size greenhouse that is empty over winter. I'm wondering if I should set up the eglu and run inside the greenhouse to give the hens a bit more warmth and cover for the next month or two while the greenhouse is not in use. I thought I'd leave the greenhouse door open for good ventilation and use the eglu run inside to protect from foxes. Does anyone do this? Good/bad idea? Thanks!

[Egluntyne]

There is really no need. The Eglu is plenty warm enough for the chickens, and if you put a cover over the run, they will stay dry when it rains.

[Jools]

If it's easy enough to do, then go for it. Apart from keeping them dry, it will also give the ground where the eglu normally is a chance to rest too, which is always a good thing.

[bouldercroft]

I considered doing it at the beginning of this winter and I wished I had - we've had 4ft of snow with record lows and I've spent so many hours digging out the eglu. I'm definitely considering it for next winter.

[Redwing]

Its not needed as Egluntyne says but it does have benefits

 

I've had chooks in my greenhouse for the past two winters, they keep condition better, I leave the roof vents open a crack for them and use shading on the roof and it works just fine. The greenhouse (with door shut) keeps the wind and rain off the birds but remember that it will still get cold

 

If you plan to keep the door closed you need to keep a close eye on the weather forecast for warm days

[chickanne]

I put my Eglu in the greenhouse in that snowy weather just before Christmas. It made it much easier to deal with the girlies in the dark and I could sit on a stool and pet and feed them in -8C. One of the main drivers for the move had been an attempt to stop their water freezing over whilst I was at work (as it happens it was too cold for that to work very well). They also love the dry soil for a dust bath.

 

The down side? I wondered why I could smell garlic on Louise's breath! She'd hopped up on the bench, nibbled the tops of the garlic in trays (knocking off the cloches first) and eaten a whole tray of sweet pea seedings and winter lettuce even tho' they too had been protected - so I thought.

 

I moved them out again at the beginning of Jan but occasionally put them in for an hour or so so they can bathe.

It better not snow again as this week I start planting seeds in earnest.

 

I think I'd only put the Eglu in under extreme conditions - they seem just as happy outside.