Part 0800.0005

[bluekarin]

I am looking for a temporary, therefore, cheep housing for some new chickens I am hoping to get to add to my existing two. As we'd need to keep them apart for about a month (I am guessing) I need something to keep them in. I have found this on ebay and was wondering if anyone has one or thinks it would be alright for 3 POL chickens?

 

Cheers me dears

Edited May 26, 2011 by Guest

[fluffy chick]

Just looked

 

Looks a good price! I think you'd be ok but not for long (I'm assuming these are large breed chooks rather than bantys? My only concern would be the height and size of the run I am leaving my new girls for 2 weeks before the intros. No expert though!

 

I got a rabbit hutch off preloved for free and converted it by adding the square of roosting bars from the eglu and putting half a cardboard box with straw for a nest box. Then I pushed it up to the end of my eglu run (extended) for a run for them. I separated the run into two by using garden canes iykwim? Cheap as chips! Then it'll be by broody cage

[bluekarin]

Thats what I wanted to do, but it seems no one has any on freecycle, or when they do they go quick as

 

It won't be for long, and yes, its for hybrids as opposed to bantams (which my local Scatts had some on Saturday. Not to buy but awwww they were so fluffy and gorg.) but when they are POL they are a bit smaller than the full grown sized ones we have now.

 

I too am a bit worried about the run height but I can do alternate free ranging with my other two, seeing as the weather is so nice. We'd need to sort the inside out as well as there are no roosting bars and no nesting box. The plan would be to use it in future for more intros and as a chicken hospital if needed.

 

I shall compare it with the eglu and run sizes and go from there

 

Talking of which there is one on there dead cheap. When I mentioned it to hubby he said go for it, up to a certain amount. Gobsmacked! Trouble is, if I get one of them, I'll not want to go back to my wooden house How many can you get in an eglu hmmmm

[scarlettohara]

I bought one of those for my guinea pigs - it is much smaller than you think

[chicken bark]

I think the height would be a problem for me. A rabbit hutch is much better. Lots of them for sale on ebay.

[bluekarin]

I bought one of those for my guinea pigs - it is much smaller than you think

 

I've just checked the dimensions. Far too small Ah well, back to the drawing board...

[Jools]

It's smaller than my broody coop which is the smallest one Forsham do, so I'd agree it's much too small. Hope you find something more suitable

[Plum]

If you have housing and run big enough for them when integrated can you not divide a section for them now and let them sleep in the coop together at night and seperate in day

[bluekarin]

If you have housing and run big enough for them when integrated can you not divide a section for them now and let them sleep in the coop together at night and seperate in day

 

I thought the existing hens would attack the new ones if put in together? Plus, I wanted to keep them completely separate in case of illnesses/mites etc. The run is large enough to divide into two areas for a short while. I think we might go down the rabbit hutch path as there are a lot on ebay and for a lot less money than a teeny chicken ark.

[Egluntyne]

I hate pour cold water on your plan, but I think it is too small. The run is too short for three, there isn't much headroom and the opening into the 'bedroom' is to small. Sorry.

[bluekarin]

Right, I have found this now Item number: 180623269383. Is it large enough for a couple of weeks for 3 POL chickens? The plan is to put it inside the existing run, but to fence off a section, so they have their own bit and my existing chickens (EC) have their own bit. Then, when I let my EC out to free range, I can then let the others out into the run for a bit more a stretch.

 

I am also watching a couple of Forsham arks which would be amazing to get, but I am guessing they will go way above my budget

[scarlettohara]

That's the same as mine - if you look at my recent post in hatching you can see what it looks like with chooks inside

[bluekarin]

That's the same as mine - if you look at my recent post in hatching you can see what it looks like with chooks inside

 

 

Cool *goesofftohaveapeek*

[bluekarin]

Whilst yet again trawling ebay for cheap chicken housing and then googling it, someone on Money saving expert website said about converting an old sideboard into housing! There are loads on there mega cheap, one of which is near me *yay* and with a bit of tinkering and a lick or two of paint, should do the job just fine So that will be the route we shall take.

 

And when we don't need it for their house, we can sue it in the shed for storage.

 

One day I'll buy a Cube, but until then, I'll make do and err convert

[fluffy chick]

sounds like a plan!

[Henslaved]

What a good idea , I may go down that route myself (or do I mean my OH will ).

 

Thanks for sharing .

[bluekarin]

We have at long last sorted out our temp chicken housing problem. Went to a local charity shop which has a furniture warehouse and picked up an old what I assume to be kitchen wall mounted cupboard for £5! Hubby has converted it, moved the hinges from the side to the bottom, so we have a built in ramp, put in a divider and pop hole and perch and air holes and some rails underneath to raise it up off the ground and its in situ awaiting their arrival (which will be THIS Saturday )

Link to my FB album with the pics in (and of my garden, but it is looking lovely and I am sure you won't mind ) Let me know if it doesn't work linkydink

[Lewis]

Looks good!

 

Like the idea of hinging the ramp to the bottom too

[fluffy chick]

very clever

[Plum]

What a bargain and you've put a perch.