Chicken bald back

[the-marks]

Hi all

 

Having finally decided to get a WIR , I find I now have yet more decisions....

 

Firstly where to get it from and then whether to slab all the run or just the outside?

 

Then there's the more important decision - seeing as I would have more room, obviously it would be a shame not to use it - so how many girls could comfortably fit in a ? - The run would be approx 5 ft x 12 ft. I currently have 2 hybrids - approx 10 months old. Could I fit in 3 ex batts? Or should I go for 2 more hybrids or some pure breeds?? Oh decisions, decisions!!! Any help / advice would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[chicken bark]

I think as long as the run is covered slabbed inside is not as important - although slabbed inside would make it easier to clean out.

 

If you were going for more hens then you'd need something for the new arrivals to sleep in until they were all integrated. The joy I've found of a WIR is that it is easy to divide into two.

 

Have you thought about getting bantams? Then I'd probably go for 3. Just remember that you need a metre square space per large fowl hen as an absolute minimum (and that is scratching around on the ground space it doesn't include perching areas). I assume yours will also get to free range some times too though.

 

Bay Animal housing do some great WIRs.

 

I'm not sure if I've helped or not.

[UKMARCH]

Hi, we've got a slabbed area and an area of open ground in our WIR. The slabbed area is more sheltered so they spend more time in that area during the winter and when its wet but they love the soil area for scratching around in and they can make their own dust baths so saves a job! We started off with this open and put bark down but found it got really wet and smelly last winter so now have a roof over that part too.

We've got 3 hybrids left and want to get some more so have just ordered a cube as we thought a max of 4 in the classic and can't just add one so maybe you could add 2 more I'm sure other people with more experience will be able to advise on breeds.