jammybill Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 My name is Jane and I am a new chicken keeper. I have an eglu classic and two lovely girls, Meg (Brown) and Lolly (Silver Link). I have had them for 2 weeks now and generally they have been fine although Meg lays the odd soft egg. Maybe this is because she is young, she certainly eats OK and I have introduced some oyster shell. They free range several hours a day when I am home. A month ago I bought 2 chickens, a brown one and a bluebell. Almost straight away the brown chicken bullied the blue relentless, firstly pecking her, anti pecking spray made no difference. Then she prevented her eating and drinking then started to chase her into the nesting box and drag her out again by her neck. Her bullying was obsessive and neither of them could enjoy being chickens. The bully brown only had to look at the bluebell for her to run away. This was so distressing we returned them to the farm they came from. I guess we were unlucky but it was not a good start. Meg and Lolly get on well and we are loving them - they are such characters. Lolly is in fact the boss however Meg is the bright one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 If they only have the standard run, then space may be an issue. If this is the case ' I'd add at least one extension to the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 I agree that the size of the run would not help matters. I don't think Omlet is particularly clear about how much run you need per chicken as it seems to suggest (or it did when I bought my first Eglu) that the set up is OK for 4 chickens, when really, that standard run is only OK for 2. It is only the house itself that is big enough for 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Hi jane, welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear of the bullying problems you had, at least you managed to return them to the farm. Lets hope peace will remain with your new girls! I agree with the previous posts about the run space in the eglu, i keep 3 pekin bantams in mine with a 4 meter run( with a couple of hours fr) and still feel guilty! I think yours will be happy enough especially as they have some time fr in your garden every day. Hope you have lots of fun with them! ps, you could always add a meter run extension on, they are on offer at the moment and it does make loads of extra room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffisme Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I'm also a new chicken keeper (or about to be) and thread deals with a question I was about to ask. We have an eglu go with a run. Due to a mix-up, our meter extension won't arrive until next week, but it is coming. Tomorrow I'm off to pick up our chickens. We had planned on two. Can three really co-exist happily inside the eglu go house? If so, should I wait until the extension arrives before picking up the chickens or would the three of them (if we decide to go with three) do ok with the standard run for four or five days? thanks for any info and advice, jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 I'm also a new chicken keeper (or about to be) and thread deals with a question I was about to ask. We have an eglu go with a run. Due to a mix-up, our meter extension won't arrive until next week, but it is coming. Tomorrow I'm off to pick up our chickens. We had planned on two. Can three really co-exist happily inside the eglu go house? If so, should I wait until the extension arrives before picking up the chickens or would the three of them (if we decide to go with three) do ok with the standard run for four or five days? thanks for any info and advice, jeff If you've got the standard run with your eglu go then two or three hens with be perfectly happy and comfortable. It's always nice to give them more space and some free ranging but the eglu and standard 2m run is designed so that 2 /3 medium hybrid sized hens can live in there on a permanant basis. I wouldn't be concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 .... should I wait until the extension arrives before picking up the chickens or would the three of them (if we decide to go with three) do ok with the standard run for four or five days? They will be fine, but I would still get the extension ... the more space, the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammybill Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. My new girls are very happy and I will give them a larger run when I have cleared some more space in the garden. The have an Omlet netting run now for evenings and weekends. Meg rather surprised herself by flying over it during a heavy gust of wind! I could clip her wings but as we are around its no problem to pick her up and put her back or entice her back with sweetcorn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
