Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[peckingham palace]

Hi

 

Have just ordered our cube, 2m run and 6 chooks. Sooo excited. My hubby has been measuring out in the garden this evening and the run seems a bit small for 6 chickens. We will let them out of the run once they get the measure of the 2 labradors and 2 cats all of whom are very accepting of new family members. My question is to experienced cube owners - would you think that the 2m run is sufficient to hold 6 chooks as long as they have the garden to forage in at intermittent other times? Would 4 be a better number? We can be a bit OCD and think more of our pets welfare than our own, but is there anyone out there who has experience and could give us some advice. The website suggests the cube and 2m run is Ok for 6, but just not sure now we have measured it out.

 

Cheers

[goodinparts]

Well, I'm hoping that a cube with extended run will be fine for at least 6 girls (maybe 4 big and 4 small) with lots of FR time....My bantams having decided to move in with the hybrids is both wonderful (leaves me with a spare go for introductions) and confusing as I had meant to have 5 LF in the cube and 4 bantams in the go....Now I really don't know...

[Space Chick]

A standard 2m run is not big enough in my opinion, I would recommend a run extension, even with lots of free ranging. When I started out I had 4 in a standard cube run and it was at capacity I would say.

[peckingham palace]

Yep I did think myself that 4 would be ample in that space. I checked with Omlet this morning and they said 6 is fine, but I don't feel its acceptable myself. Thanks for the reply.

[goodinparts]

Sorry...didn't read you properly 1st time...I've got an extension with mine, hence plans for more chooks. Hope you have fun choosing yours, whatever you end up with

[JillM]

I have an extension to the Cube's 2m run and it just fits 6. I personally wouldn't put 6 into the standard 2m run. I even have the WIR on order to give the 6 of them more space while I'm out at work.

[peckingham palace]

Thanks for your replies, you have all confirmed what I thought actually. Cheers

[the-real-tinkerbell]

i felt the standard run was 2 small for 4 thats why i have a massive WIR now lol and far to many chickens lol

[peckingham palace]

Have reduced my number of ordered chooks now, thanks to advice from all you kind people for helping steer me in the right direction, but my hubby is already planning extension +/- WIR - result!!!!!! Cannot wait to get the girls installed. Looking thru the forums I never realised just how popular keeping chickens is these days - fantastic.

[JillM]

Looks like you'll be planning on some more girls just as soon as you have more space then?

[peckingham palace]

I already have a spot mapped out for more girls.

[JillM]

Lots of fun times ahead!

[peckingham palace]

Just taken a trip down to the Omlet shop today, about 100 miles from where we live, just for a look round. Got some great advice from Hayley in the shop, had a good look at a cube and ordered run extensions and 2 more chooks, so 6 in all for now. Happy days!

[JillM]

Fantastic! Let us know how you get on.

[peckingham palace]

Really excited, bit like a kid at chrimbo, but occasional pangs of anxiety, not about having the girls, just knowing the right thing to do for them all. Would hate to do anything wrong as a novice chicken mum x

[JillM]

You'll do just fine! Especially as you're showing such concern for them.

[peckingham palace]

We have 2 labradors and 2 cats also and are exactly the same with them I'm afraid. OH is just as bad. When we first got cats his stock saying was "I'm not really a cat person" hmmm you should see and hear the big old softie with them