Omlet cube and run

[jeshen]

I have 3 pekins - 2 lavender and one black - who are gorgeous and very tame, but not good layers. (The lavenders have yet to start laying and they are 9 months old.) They live happily in an eglu classic with a 2m run, but are allowed out into a larger run every day. I'm hoping to get 3 buff rock bantams to join them, as I'm told they lay better, but just want to make sure I won't be overcrowding them. Is 6 bantams too large a number for an eglu classic?

[Space Chick]

The eglu itself is big enough for them to sleep in, but the run is nowhere near enough for that number of hens, even bantams. Unless they are able to free range all day every day, I would say a definite no. Sorry.

[fluffy chick]

I had 6 bantams sleeping in one but they had 25m electric fencing. I had an extended run and I wouldn't have them in there for any length of time.

 

You could add more bantams but you'd need a bigger run to avoid behavioural problems

[Egluntyne]

I agree. I'd add at least 2 more metre lengths of run, or go for the WIR. The minimum recommendation is 1 sq m per hen for hybrids, I guess you could reasonably get away with a little less for bantams.

[sparkysmum]

Agree with all that's written, I'm afraid. I had 2 sablepoots & 2 scots dumpy chicks in a 4 metre run. so 4 in total. They also had unlimited f/r time. At the mo I have my pekin + chicks in eglu classic run & I def feel short of space and the chicks are only less than 3 wks old. Whilst I know you can theoretically squeeze more bantams into a run, imo this only leads to pecking/boredom/ behavioral issues. Sorry. Allixx

[Redwing]

I keep batches of six young bantams in 2m runs but always divide them up as soon as they get to 12 weeks or so

 

I'd keep 4 small fully grown bantams in a 2m run but no more than that

 

Rocks are quite chunky bantams too, I dont think they are amazing layers, the barred may be a bit better at laying. Susssex bantams may be a better bet for eggs or one of the light breeds like Leghorns or Anconas

[sadietoo]

Coming late to this post..., judging by what other members say they cram into the eglu at nights (and looking at how much space there is in mine after my large light sussex girl and smaller hybrid are in), I'd say the eglu is big enough to house them, and as you say they have access to a larger run every day then provided you feel there is enough space overall I would think it would be ok. You will know if you have a problem because squabbles will break out. Obviously you would need to have more space available to extend your run should this happen.

[fluffy chick]

Also this space is too small for your intros, the new ones will need space to get away.

[jeshen]

The 6 bantams wouldn't be stuck in a 2-metre run as they will be let out into a fenced run about 4 times the size of the 2m one, every day. (I'm just leaving them access to the 2m run as it gives them shelter and their food and water is in there). From what you advise, I'm thinking that they will be ok in the eglu classic and should have enough space in the larger run.

Thanks for the advice - very helpful!

[fluffy chick]

Oh I see, yes they should be very happy with that.

[izzys-hens]

By what you are describing your run will be perfectly fine and as for the eglu that will be fine too, we did have 8 bantams in our eglu at one time but we currently have 6 they all seem very happy in there and not overcrowded, especially pekins are pretty small as some bantams that i have are pretty big in comparison