How many chickens in Eglu Cube

[hej]

Hi, new eglu owner here and wondering if any of you kind folks can advise?

 

We were planning to have our eglu classic and run on bark chippings and were planning to lay concrete slabs underneath to prevent intruders. However, a friend has advised that this will be unnecessary and that in a city garden there aren't many creatures that would attempt this (foxes being thwarted by the skirt anyway). My other half is at home during the day so they free range in an area of the garden then and are locked in the eglu and night.

 

Do people think the slabs are necessary or an unneecessary expense. I'd be really grateful for any thoughts.

 

Thanks H

 

PS first eggs this week, so exciting

[Plum]

If the soil is loose there is still a risk of them digging otherwise lots of people manage on earth and change due to mud problems if necessary

[Gertie]

Hi Hej

 

Congrats on the eggs!

 

I can only speak from my experience, but I don't have slabs under the eglu. My eglus are on grass (well, it was grass)! I tent peg the skirt down. I've not had any intruders so far. I don't let my girls free range because I know we have foxes as I live next to fields & woodland. I think slabs might make things easier to clean & be secure, but you could put slabs or kerbstone around the skirt to weigh things down, then you could still move it if you wanted.

[Egluntyne]

I would ignore your friend tbh.

 

I have all my Eglus and my Cube on slabs.

 

I live 5 miles out of a city centre, and often have foxes in my garden.

[LuckyChickenLover-]

I don't think that slabs will be neccasary. My girls are on bark chips, and I find that the weight of the Eglu's run compacts the bark chips slightly. Added to the run's skirt, it makes a pretty formidable defence against Mr. Fox

[hilda-and-evadne]

were planning to lay concrete slabs underneath to prevent intruders. However, a friend has advised that this will be unnecessary and that in a city garden there aren't many creatures that would attempt this (foxes being thwarted by the skirt anyway). ... Do people think the slabs are necessary or an unneecessary expense. I'd be really grateful for any thoughts.

 

Foxes have been known to burrow in at the point where the eglu joins the run. If my eglu were not sited about 22" off the ground, I would have it on slabs - the other thing is that if you place the eglu on the ground, it creates a lovely sheltered area for rats to create their nest underneath.

[hej]

Thanks to everyone for their helpful replies...think we may slab to be on the safe side. Appreciate everyone kindly taking time to respond Thanks xxx