How many chickens in Eglu Cube

[JS1]

I have a wooden house and run which holds up to six medium-sized birds, according to the manufacturers and an Eglu which holds four and, as of last week, now have ten girls (four hybrids/ex-batts; two Araucanas; a Maran, Welsumer and two Cream Legbars. They free-range all day (with an electric fence) so the run-size isn't an issue. Problem is, they're all squeezing themselves into the wooden house at night.

 

I actually think that the manufacturers have been generous with the size of the house (although I think the run would be way too small for six!), but I'm concerned that it might be too crowded for ten. So far, I've been lifting three or four out and popping them into the Eglu, but I'm wondering if I'm being too fussy? I think each roosting bar (there are two) holds four comfortably, although I've seen five squish themselves on to one. One of the ex-batts prefers the nesting box, although I usually shoo her out of it. Last night before the transfer one of the Cream Legbars was curled up on the floor, which would worry me as I wouldn't want her lying in poo!

 

So what do you think? Will they be okay if I just leave them to sort themselves out? Should I continue transferring and hope they get the idea? Should I attempt to shut three or four in the Eglu run late afternoon so they have no choice?

 

The wooden house is well ventilated and is 42 by 33 inches http://www.henhouses.co.uk/hereford.html

 

What do you reckon?

[Saronne]

Mine do that. I've got 18 in a walk-in run with a cube, eglu and a go. Recently, 14 crammed themselves into the cube and 4 in the go. None are in the eglu. I tried transferring them around, but left to themselves, they prefer the first option Maybe they're doing it for a bet..

 

Doesn't seem to be doing them any harm..

 

 

Saronne x

[chick wiggle]

Mine do the same thing, i have elevan sleeping in the cube and got another 3 for the eglu, guess what? now all 14 + my frizzle when shes in the mood, sleep in the cube. They will sleep where they want to im afraid and thats fine by me.

If they all like squishing into the cube, that leaves me with an empty eglu

 

Just thought id add, they are all in a huge wir not squashed into a cube run

[Jools]

Does the 42 x 33 include the nest box? If not, it's a bit snug but probably not a huge problem if they all pack in there. Can you do anything to alter the perches - is there room for three rather than two? I'm not keen on floor sleepers either as continued contact with droppings isn't good for their skin, so discouraging that is good.

 

I suppose it depends on your longer term plans really. Do you want two flocks or one? They do tend to get used to which house to sleep in eventually, so if you keep moving the same ones at night (or shutting them in the eglu run late afternoon) they will eventually get the message.

 

Or sell both houses and buy one big one lol!

[Chicken shack]

10 in the bed a the little one says 'roll over roll over' springs to mind.

Edited February 21, 2011 by Guest

[JS1]

Or sell both houses and buy one big one lol!

 

Don't tempt me

Except I'd probably not sell, just get another house and more chickens and they'd probably all still crowd into one place!!

 

The size doesn't include nesting box - it came separately. Transferring them isn't a problem (although it's easier with two of us!) but I'm concerned about asking my neighbour to do it when he looks after them for us, which is happening on Thursday night. I'm probably worrying for nothing (now would that be like me???) so thanks for the reassurance!

 

ETA at Chicken Shack

[MummyHen]

I have two cubes and 8 hens; (5 Orpingtons 3 hybrids) and the all sleep in one of the cubes and lay in the other

I just leave them to get on with it - I did try and move some of them - but they just go back.

They all seem happy & healthy

[Old Speckled Hen]

I have five hens and one cockerel. They are in a cube. The older three grew up in a wooden house and when I got the two new hens and cockerel I put them into the cube and they would all squash into the nest box. You couldn't see where one chicken ended and another started. I replaced the plastic roosting bars with two wooden perches and they sleep happily on those now.......strange things chickens.

My point is that chickens will sleep all together in a jumble. It's just space they need to walk/feed/free range.

[Chicken shack]

Or sell both houses and buy one big one lol!

 

Don't tempt me

Except I'd probably not sell, just get another house and more chickens and they'd probably all still crowd into one place!!

 

The size doesn't include nesting box - it came separately. Transferring them isn't a problem (although it's easier with two of us!) but I'm concerned about asking my neighbour to do it when he looks after them for us, which is happening on Thursday night. I'm probably worrying for nothing (now would that be like me???) so thanks for the reassurance!

 

ETA at Chicken Shack

Sorry I am a bit thick. What does ETA mean?

[JS1]

ETA stands for Edited to Add. Sorry to have caused confusion

[Egluntyne]

I have 14 in my cube at the mo. Their choice, not mine.

[the-real-tinkerbell]

i have a cube on the out side of my run and i stuck a classic inside just to keep the rain off it while i was roofing the extention ,i got up this morning to find 6 big girls in the classic and my little legbar in the cube all on her own lol