Ariella26 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Hi everyone. I'm currently researching as I'd like to purchase an Eglu Cube next spring and am hoping to buy six lovely ladies to come and live in it. My main question is based around their food consumption as I've seen conflicting advice on various websites. How long would a 25kg bag of layers mash or pellets be likely to last? I have read that you should feed around 125g per chook per day, but I've also read that a bag this size would last for around 60 days for 6 chickens. Clearly this doesn't amount to the same quantity. Please could you give me some clear advice on this - how long a 25kg bag would last six hens. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 it's a bit like asking how long is a piece of string. The reason you aren't getting a definitive answer is that there are so many variables. How big are the hens? Are they laying? Is it cold weather? Do they free range? Do you give corn in the evening? I'm afraid the best answer you'll get is 'quite a long time, try it and see' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I have 4 laying hens, and they get through a 20kg bag a month, so I'd just under a month for a 25kg sack and 6 hens. Good luck! P.S - Just thought I'd mention the standard 2m run is too small 6 for hens, the website can be quite misleading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 The guidelines for chicken numbers are nearly always based on the coop not the run, one to remember as Sam points out I'd also sat a 25kg bag would last aprox a month but there are so many variables two of which are whether wild birds/rodents are able to get at the feed and also how much the chooks waste so feeder choice can make a difference. If you budget for a sack a month you wont be far off Good luck with your research, chooks make great pets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariella26 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 Sorry, I should have said I was going for the 3m run. Would that be enough room in the run for them? I was going to have some hybrids as I've been advised they're hardy and good layers. I would supplement the layers mash with corn and occasional treats. I'd base the question on it being when they're laying eggs and that they probably wouldn't free range. If they're in the run, I assume wild birds won't be able to eat the feed and we'd ensure food comes in at night so rats/mice aren't attracted and don't come along for a feed! I hope that helps a bit. If not, I'll go on the basis that just under a month should be about right. That's a relief because when I read most chooks eat around 120g a day, that'd be about 720g each day for six of them, making the bag last just around 4 days!! I'm not sure I could stretch to that!!! Thanks in anticipation for your answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annieshaf Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Hi I think youve lost a zero in your calculations as at 720g a day it would take around 34 days to use up a 25kg bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariella26 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 So I have! I'll definitely go on it lasting a month then. Thanks. One more question - please could you tell me how long chooks can live for and for how many years they could be non-productive. What do you all do once they stop laying? I assume most keep their chooks as pets until they pass away. If so, could you introduce new laying chickens at this point or would this mean another coop? I'm not sure we could dispatch the chickens when they stop laying as I'm sure we'll become really fond if them. I just wondered what you tend to do. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 A 3m cube run wont be ok for 6 large fowl chooks I'm afraid, work on roughly 1msq each so really you are looking at 3 or 4 at the most Hybrids live on average for about 3 years and will slow down laying anytime after 18 months stopping altogether between 2 and 3 though obviously thats a rough guide and there are people who have had hybrids for 4 or 5 years. Hybrids will usually lay throughout their first winter and sometimes part or all of their second so provide a more constant supply of eggs while young. Hybrids are usually easily tamed and make good pets but being bred for a highly productive life they can burn out and can suffer from more egg laying related problems than pure breeds and tend to suffer more undesirable behavioural traits such as feather pecking Pure breeds live probably on average 4-7 years and will be productive much of that time but take a break from laying over winter so no eggs then which can be a drawback but due to that break they dont tend to suffer from as many problems as hybrids. Heavy pure breed tend to be laid back and placid so make great pets. Light pure breeds like the Mediterranean ones tend to be a bit more flighty but usually better layers and less prone to broodiness. The Poultry Club of GB has a list of breeds on its website which makes good reading or there is the Breed section on here You'd get more bantams in that run so they are worth considering too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I have six laying hens, and they get through a 25k bag approximately every month, so that's a good figure to budget for. I have them in a 3m x 2m walk-in run, and I wouldn't want any less space than that, especially as mine don't get much free-ranging time in the winter. It helps if you can add some branches or perches (this is possible, even in a Cube run) so they can get out of each others' way. For the past few years, I've worked on the basis of adding two new hens every year - I have a hybrid (Speckledy) who is four years old and still laying but in the nature of things, there's usually space for a couple more each year. I have always allowed my non-layers to spend their retirement in the coop with the others, I'm fairly pragmatic about hen-keeping but I don't just keep them for the eggs. Sadly, in my experience once they have stopped laying their life-span is often quite short anyway. It does mean that sometimes you end up with a few freeloaders, but they don't eat so much when they are not laying, and as long as you have a couple of youngsters you'll still get some eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariella26 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 Oh gosh, now I'm confused. I'd been advised to go for hybrids as they're good layers and don't go broody. Now I'm not sure that's such a goof idea if they stop laying by the time they're two years old. I had considered bantams but was put off by the size of the eggs. I bake a lot and so wanted regular medium sized eggs. The fact the pure breeds live and lay for longer sounds better and I'm happy to go with four chooks instead of six. The cube read-up is rather misleading when if states 6 hens. I still feel it's the best coop for us so will stick with it bug reduce the number of chickens we get. So any recommendations for good pure breed layers that don't get too broody? I'd like a bit if variety too so is it okay to mix breeds? Sorry, so many questions but I want to get it right. Thanks to you all for your great advice so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariella26 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 Apologies for the typing errors. I'm on the iPhone and it's predicting wrong words! If I had a combination of hybrids and pure breeds I guess I'd have a supply throughout the winter too. It appears a few of you have a mix of breeds so I assume that's okay. How difficult would it be to introduce new chooks as old ones pass away? I'm not sure I'd have the space for two coops. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Of the light breeds - Leghorns, Minorcas, Araucanas and Welsummers are all good layers Of the heavy breeds - Marans, Wyandottes and Sussex are all nice and lay well The heavier breeds tend to be friendlier But there are lots and lots of breeds to choose from. If you can find a breeder of lots of large fowl chickens near you then go and have a look and a chat. alternatively seek out your local show (we are entering the main show season) and go there for a look to see some breeds up close Broodiness is less of a worry with large fowl but any hen can go broody. If you break the broodiness quickly you shouldnt see a massive dip in egg numbers. Hybrids rarely go broody so another thing in their favour! Lots of people start off with hybrids and as Olly says if you stagger when you acquire them then it will help with keeping egg production steady. You will need separate accomodation for introductions so summer is a good time to introduce new hens as its easier to make temporary accomodation from a dog crate/dog carrier and divide a run in the warmer weather rather than buy a new coop for a winter introduction (hope that makes sense) A mix would also be ok just keep an eye out for any bullying and so get them at the same age or the purebreeds slightly older Unfortunately Omlet arent unique in giving capacity recommendations relating to the coop rather than the run so its something to keep in mind should you look elsewhere, its a pain but once you know it then its easier to make the right decisions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Ditto to all the above advice ... hybrids do go broody though. I've hatched chicks many a time under a broody hybrid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I do have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about the run size, as if you look at the omlet chart, it does give different numbers depending on run size, all of which go against the 1m sq. We have kept 5 ex batts happily in a 3m run, with fr time most days, although I suppose they're not used to any more space. If you want regular eggs, I would get 3 now, with a plan to get more in a year or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariella26 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 Thanks for your replies and advice. It's all starting to make a bit of sense to me now... I think we'll stick with the cube (because I know if we go smaller I'll regret it later) and have four chooks. I think we'd aim for two hybrids and two pure-breeds, though go for the smaller pure breeds as they'd have a little more room in their run. I know I'm probably over-thinking it all a little at the moment, but that's just me! I like to be organised and have everything sorted in my head. Regarding the intros, I know it's not likely to be necessary for a while after we get the first chooks, but I still like to understand what to do. I could house a couple of hens in a dog carrier for a couple of days but it would be tricky to have another run. I'm assuming the cube run would be too small to separate it for a few days? How long does the intro process tend to take? I'd hate the thought of new chooks being picked on; I'm such a softie! Space is at a premium in the garden as we also have four tortoises, two guinea pigs, a rabbit and four children all with their own runs (obviously not the kids, however tempting...) so we wouldn't have space for another run. Can anyone tell me how much room I'd need either end of the cube and run, for pulling out the droppings tray, etc. We have lots of farms locally selling pure breeds and hybrids. One in particular runs chicken-keeping courses for around £40 so I'd probably do that. We are semi-rural so have lots of farmers markets too. We'd be looking to set up the cube and get some POL chooks in the spring, so I wanted to spend the time preparing for it now. I've researched food supplies and found that Mole Valley Farmers are pretty good on price and we have one not too far away from us. Once again, thanks for all your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Why not think about getting hens that lay different coloured eggs (eg Maran or Welsumer lay darker brown eggs; cream legbars lay blue) as a) they look nice and b) you can tell which hen the egg has come from. I have eight hens (mix of pure breeds and ex-batts) and they happily sleep on top of each other in the Cube (so that two thirds of it is empty ), but they're out and about all day (within an electric fence) so the run size isn't really relevant (although I do lock them away when I'm cleaning as it stops them jumping all over me). Egg quality does drop off as they age, so I'd agree with those who suggest starting with a small number and adding two new ones each year. There's loads of advice on things like introducing new hens on the board and people are always happy to help - as a fairly new chicken keeper (two and a half years!) I find it invaluable . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariella26 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 Thanks JS1 - I was thinking different coloured eggs would look gorgeous. Brilliant idea! I'm not sure how we'd get on free ranging them as the garden isn't huge and I'm not sure chicken droppings and kids on a smallish lawn would work! Our garden is split into three levels as we're detached. So we have the patio, a smallish piece of lawn and the kids playcabin, then a long narrow strip where the animal enclosures are. I've got space here for the cube, but only just. If I use the main lawn, there'll be nowhere for the kids to skip and play. We also are less than quarter of a mile from a large nature reserve and wood and I know there are foxes as I've seen one and can hear them, so I don't want them in the garden chasing my chickens if they're free ranging during the day. Are foxes good climbers or will they tunnel under fences to get in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Foxes are very good climbers and they'll take the easiest route, although they will also tunnel under things. If a cat could get over a fence and into your garden, then a fox can do it too. Chicken poop and small children is not a good combination - you can hose the occasional poop out of the way, or if they're dry they can be brushed off or just go through the lawnmower, but you wouldn't want your little'uns playing on a lawn that's regularly used by chickens. You don't have to put the Cube on grass though, and if you did there would be no grass left anyway after a few days - it can go on bare earth, or slabs, as long as there's something for the hens to scratch about in. I'd put it in the space you'd planned, and then you can consider letting the hens out to free-range sometimes under supervision, but perhaps using netting to keep them off the lawn/contained in another area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariella26 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 I would possibly have room on the patio for the cube too, adding chippings to the run for them to scratch about, but how would it fix to slabs? I assumed some kind of strong pegs are knocked into the ground to secure the anti-tunnelling skirt and keep the chooks safe. No, I won't be allowing them to free range on the lawn. As much as the children would love chickens to be there, it wouldn't be fair on either of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Always put the run down on the ground/slabs/concrete then fill with bedding/wood chips This means the run is in contact with the ground which is sufficiently hard should be fine and should not need to be pegged down in theory and on slabs should be fine If you put the run on soft ground or on a layer of bedding then thats when the run is more vulnerable to tunneling animals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariella26 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 Thank you Redwing. Can the run not be tipped up by a fox? Excuse my ignorance but I've not seen a cube other than online. This could be a real option for having a cube on the lawn and perhaps an Eglu Go on the patio in the future too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Thank you Redwing. Can the run not be tipped up by a fox? Excuse my ignorance but I've not seen a cube other than online.This could be a real option for having a cube on the lawn and perhaps an Eglu Go on the patio in the future too. No way, I couldn't push my cube run over! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I love that idea - the addiction is kicking in pretty quickly with you I see The cube and run are very heavy, there is a list on here of people who are happy to have others visit to see their Omlet products so its worth seeing if there is anyone near you so you can take a look at one up close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariella26 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 Brilliant, I'd love to see one. I still rather like the idea of having more than four chickens and if I had (in time) an Eglu Classic or Go as well, it'd give me somewhere to house new chooks that need introducing or just simply to have more than one coop...I'm so greedy! I presume the same goes for the Classic and Go too; that they couldn't be tipped and would be secure on a patio? My husband is going to despair at my growing zoo!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
