Cheeky Chooky Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 I'm after a few opinions please with regard to getting some more chooks I've got a terrible hankering for 3 little buff or lavender pekins but wanted to ask if they would be ok in their own eglu but sharing the WIR with my other banty girls? The WIR will be 4m x 2m by 22nd Dec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 So, you have 5 and want to add 3 to bring your total to 8 and your WIR is 4x2 = 8sqmtrs? My understanding is that you need to allow 1sqmtr per bird. By my reckoning, that would be ok. But, other things should be taken into consideration too (and this is just my personal opinion). Do they get daily free ranging time outside of the WIR? Does your WIR have higher levels for perching? Will you have the extra time available for the extra, more frequent, cleaning? (You're almost doubling your flock, it will be double the dirt ) And, finally, when morehens disease hits in the Spring ... are you able to extend your WIR further? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 Hi, thanks for the reply...that's just what I need, other points to consider No, they don't get much time to FR out of the run. They have branches along the length of the run that they love perching on and things to hop up on, as well as greens and treats hanging that they can peck at. I clean the eglu twice a week and having had wooden coops for years, I'm thrilled at how quick and easy it is! Another one won't be any bother I also rake the floor of the WIR weekly and put down Nettex powder. I wouldn't be able to extend the run further so this would be it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 The run size is fine but would it be wise to have that many in the eglu? They may fit but they need fresh air circulating. Mine are in a cube so not really best person to give advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 No, I'd get another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 The run size is fine but would it be wise to have that many in the eglu? They may fit but they need fresh air circulating. Mine are in a cube so not really best person to give advice. My understanding is that the poster's new girls would have their own Eglu? But, even on that point, I have 5 banties and 7 big girls and they all try to sleep on ONE EGLU! Each night I have to physically seperate the girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 my cube holds more hens that a hen house should every night ...there is an eglu available too....but no one wants it !! They free range all day and then this little mob snuggle up together...some on the roosing bars and 2 or 3 little ones in the nest box (I know they shouldn't be in the nest box but if I don't leave them they roost on the roof of the cube and sulk ) The motley crew are 2 buff orpington 1 buff sussex 2 Dorkings 4 Aracana 1 blue range 1 amber star 1 sussex ranger and 2 little polands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Might be better to buy a cube so they can all share?!! Sorry to put a spanner in the works.... As a pekin fanatic i would say go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 I was waiting for someone to say that! I really love the shape of the eglu and the fact that it's low level...I don't actually like the cube much There's also the cost element...a difference of £260 and I would love the to contrast with my Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 I agree the is a nicer shape and the purple is a lovely colour! I have a and a and the colours do look nice together! I have a that i dont use but i love it so much i cant part with it!! Oh well cant wait to see the pekins...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 We're all completely barmy aren't we! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Yes but we are not hurting anyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 Just our bank balances eh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 I read on here many a time about morehens desease ...It would not happen to me would it? We had our and only a small garden .There is only 2 of us ,how many eggs could we possibly want? Then on Thursday poor Florry was PTS and then there was All weekend there has been something missing , the two that are left have not been the same and little Poppy has lost her friend. So of course another is needed but we can't just get 1 can we ? OH has been designing a makeshift temporary run all weekend and 2 being ordered tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 Awww *hug* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
