Uma Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Hi all, I am hoping to get two more girls this month. I have bid on a go on ebay (fingers crossed I get it) and I already have a cube with extension for my existing 3 girls. My girls free range on an acre all day. However, when we are away they stay in the run as I know they won't go in for the neighbours (picky things!). Do you think that the cube with extension is enough for 5 chooks for up to two weeks very rarely, and I mean maybe once a year and the odd long weekend (and for worming)? Personally I feel it'll be a tight squeeze but it is going to be so rare.... Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I think it's not enough room for 5 while you are away. Which is a pain when its so infrequent. I would put the Go (fingers crossed for you) attached to the cube they can use that run as well then they'll have more room. or why not buy extra run rather than a go, you can divide the run for introductions and use a small house inside for night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Plum you are funny With the cube it is designed to keep up to 10 chickens comfortably. They may have the hump with you when you get back as they've not free-ranged but otherwise should be fine as long as someone checks food & water and does the occasional poop scoop!! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uma Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 Plum- I think thats a good idea putting the two together-just have to figure out a way of securely doing so, if indeed I win it. Scubababe-I don't think Plum was meaning there woulnd't be enough space inside the cube, just more the run space for them, especially due to the fact they are so used to so much more space and not being confined. The two together sounds like a great solution, and also means I would be getting use out of the Go, if I get it. As its also going to be used as a hospital bay as well. I had thought about just separating the run, but I think it'd confuse my original girls more and I still want them out free ranging whilst the new girls settle in. Thank you for your thoughts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I meant the run not the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Well I used the back underneath the cube as a door when I had the run divided in two. If the end of the go run panel is flat it may clip onto the back of the run under the cube. Mine's not on at present so I can't really remember how it goes. I know I unscrewed the cllip at the top and undid the ones fastened to the skirt It would fasten to the door of the cube run but then you couldn't get in so that wouldn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 it may not be ideal but if it is only once a year and they're a 'friendly' flock then i think you can 5 in a cube run with an extension. Actually, depending on size I think you could keep 5 in the cube plus extension relatively easily. I have 9 in my cube and although they free range in their part of the garden everyday, when we go on holiday they have to stay shut in the run. I just put in lots of extra distractions and perches and benches for jumping on and hiding under. They've always been fine when we've got home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Hi all, I am hoping to get two more girls this month. I have bid on a go on ebay (fingers crossed I get it) and I already have a cube with extension for my existing 3 girls. My girls free range on an acre all day. However, when we are away they stay in the run as I know they won't go in for the neighbours (picky things!). Do you think that the cube with extension is enough for 5 chooks for up to two weeks very rarely, and I mean maybe once a year and the odd long weekend (and for worming)? Personally I feel it'll be a tight squeeze but it is going to be so rare.... Thoughts? My thoughts are, if they are integrated correctly, the cube with extention will be fine for 5 chooks. The cube (designed for 10) is sold with a run which should also accommodate 10 - with an extention, that increases your space (which is what I believe scubababe was trying to say?). Five in a cube with run and run extention should be fine for a fortnight, *if*, you have a) integrated them properly beforehand, and b) have someone check in on them on a regular basis for food/water/human contact. Yes, they may feel a tad stir crazy for not having their usual acre, but they won't suffer unduly without it Hang cabbages/old CD's/have lots for them to scratch in the floor with; lots of fresh water and food - they'll survive Now, let me put something else into perspective. I have a WIR, and Eglus aplenty for my girls ... yet, they would much rather all squeeze into ONE eglu, all together, then space themselves out at night At one point, I had 12 girls on ONE eglu! The run space was no issue I have now trained them to segregate at sleep time You know your girls; you know how they interact and you know how you will integrate newbies and how long that will take. There lies the nub of your answer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 LOL. Thanks mum...that was what I was trying to say...anyhow....UMA did you manage to get 1 of the go's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uma Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 No Never managed to get one. However, there is a classic eglu locally so fingers crossed (again) that I can win this one!! I don't by any stretch of the imagination that 10 chickens could even fit into the run supplied with the cube! Surely that isn't what you meant? Uma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Oh well Uma, better luck on the classic. OMG...NO..No way would I cramp 10 ladies into that space permanently....it would be a permanent war zone....lol!! I've got 3 ladies at the moment and am building a WIR which will be almost 4 times the size just cause I want a 3 or 4 more lol P.S did you get the classic? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 is this any good for you http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EGLU-Classic-Red-No-Reserve-2-Glugs-2-Grubs-/300646909030?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&hash=item45fff3c466 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Omlet-Eglu-Classic-Chicken-Coop-And-2mtr-Run-/190625220809?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&hash=item2c622608c9 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/omlet-eglu-chicken-house-/190625194698?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&hash=item2c6225a2ca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uma Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 Oh thanks for finding those for me. There is one locally which I am hoping to get. I could buy it now, but right now I'm the only bidder so fingers crossed!! Uma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 As Mum and Laurmurf say, a lot depends on your flock 5 would be ok in a 3m run if they all get on well but a rough guide of room a hen needs in a run is 1sq metre so ideally you'd have just 3 in that area, it's a guideline and obviously some need more space and some will be ok with less, pure breeds tend to get on better than hybrids in a small space and bantams of course cope better too Whist I accept that the cube can hold 10 hens I would never put 10 hens in a 3m run. Companies have their recommendations for most coops but common sense must prevail! I do personally believe that most flock problems are caused by lack of space Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 @ redwing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
