Cat tunnels for catio wanted

[Peaceful Chicken]

Just got our first chickens: 2 leghorns; 1 barred rock, all around 1 year old.

 

Question: we have an eglu-go, which says one can house up to 4 medium chickens in it. I had the opportunity to get an americauna, that lived with the above hens, but have not yet done so, as i wasn't sure about crowding them. Based on eglu-go users' experience: would they all be comfortable in there, or would it be too crowded? Would love to get the americauna if possible, but am waiting for now.....

 

Thanks!

Edited September 26, 2011 by Guest

[Tweety]

It all depends on the size of your run, and how much time the hens will be spending in it. The Go itself is definitely big enough for 4, but the standard run is too small. Will you be using the Go run, or a WIR?

[Peaceful Chicken]

Thanks for your reply above. I have a lovely big run, no problem there. My husband made me an 8x10 foot (80 square feet) walk in run. But my concern was that the chickens will roost also in the laying area in the Eglu-Go, spreading out in that way in order to be more comfortable. The Barred Rock & Americauna are good size chickens; that's why I've hesitated. Do you have experience with this? (One of the websites: My Pet Chicken, also sells the Eglu-Go, but lists it as "Sized for up to 2-3 standard or 3-4 bantam chickens." I've therefore hesitated to get the Americauna......

 

Many Thanks for input so I can see about increasing the flock!

[Tweety]

That will be fine then. The Go is surprisingly big inside - I have 7 good-sized Frizzle bantams, including a cockerel, in mine and there is room for more!

In my experience, some chickens will roost in the nesting box even in an empty house. You could try putting something in the nest box overnight to prevent them sleeping in it

[Peaceful Chicken]

Oh, Ok, thanks. Do they only lay eggs in the day then? (obviously my first chickens & I am just learning all the ins & outs). I thought they might lay in the very early a.m. before I get out there and that I would find eggs early / mid morning when I finally do check. Wouldn't want to hamper that process. Thanks again!

[Tweety]

Yes they only lay during the day, but that can be quite early am as you say.

 

I should add that I have never seen an Americauna, so don't know how big they are. If you are in any doubt, it is better to err on the side of caution and have fewer hens with enough room, rather than too many and a squash!

[Peaceful Chicken]

Americauna looked to be about the same size as the Barred Rock. Thanks!

[sparkysmum]

I have 2 eglu classics. On most nights 7 hens pile into one (it's very cosy) leaving a wee lonesome in the other. As others have said the houses can comfortably accommodate 4 + hens, the limiting factor is the run.

[Sandychick]

I seem to remember someone posting a photo of about 10 hens that decided to all go in one eglu - it was a while ago & sadly can't find it now. Anyway, it was a good example of how they quite like being squashed in at night 4 will be fine.....I will have 5 all in one eglu classic soon

[sparkysmum]

Before I had to let my cockerels go I had 9 in one eglu most nights, so compared with that the 7 I have most nights isn't overcrowded at all I have to say however that this is what they opt to do - there is lots of accommodation for them to choose from.

[Peaceful Chicken]

Thanks for all your input! I'm a little confused about one thing: You seem to refer to a Classic, which, I believe is larger than the Eglu Go? In the U.S., where I am, only the Cube & Go are offered, not the Classic. But on the U.S. website Omlet does state that the Eglu Go fits up to 4 medium sized chickens, so I guess it's ok to put another in there to total 4. Just wanted to clarify whether anyone was referring to an Eglu Go or Classic -- not sure exactly what is the difference between the two, as they both seem to be for 2-4 chickens.....

 

Thanks for any clarification!

[Space Chick]

The difference is design rather than size, so 4 sleeping in a Go will be fine

 

I have had 18 sleep in a cube before now (through choice), and have had 11 bantams in a classic... Again through choice... So don't worry

[fluffy chick]

I used to have a go and would say you'd be fine with 4 large foul