Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[uc4tuna]

Hi everyone! I just bought a used cube with a 3-meter run. I don't have any chickens yet, they're next on the list. =) My question is, is the 9' run big enough for 4 chickens to spend most of their time? I plan to let them free range a little in my garden while I'm home (probably about an hour 3-4 days per week, but probably no time outside of the run on the long days that I'm at work). I'm also worried about how difficult it will be to clean the run - it will have to stay in one spot rather than being tractored around, and it is a first edition cube so it has a tiny door on the end of the run. Basically, I'm trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and just build a larger 6'x8' walk-in run attached to the cube to begin with, or if I should try using the run that came with the cube first.

 

One other option - I do have a side yard (probably 10'x40') that I could convert to a secure run for them to hang out in during the day, but it is right next to the neighbors' house and I'm worried that once the chickens eat all the weeds that are there, it will turn into a big smelly muddy mess that the neighbors will complain about.

 

Thanks for any advice!

[Patricia W]

Welcome! As one of the many who has succombed to morehens disease ( very contagious) my advice is to get the biggest run you can afford. If you cover it, and put something on aubiose then it will not get muddy or smelly. Areas that get wet and can't drain are the worst so cover what you can.

[Chicken shack]

I have a cube with 3 mte run. I do now have it attached to a 4 by 4 m run and they free range and I now have 9 living there. But before I moved I only had the 3m run, 5 girls and a small area they could free range in and the set up below is what I did.

 

1. I have the large cube sunshade on the top

2.I bought clear tarp to cover the area not covered by the sunshade. This is kept down the side in the winter and keeps the run supprisingly dry.

3. I lift the clear tarp up from about now and just have it covering the top.

4. If we did get a heatwave I would remove it, but I have not had to yet

5. Cover the run floor with wood chip and in the Autum dry leaves.

6. Sprinkle garden lime and or Stalosan F over the floor to disanfetct it every week or so.

7. rake out the old floor at least once a year and compost it.

8. Make some broom handle perches to go accross the run at different hights.

 

4 chickens will be fine. Good luck.

[uc4tuna]

Thanks for the advice! I think I will see how the run that came with the cube works first, and then upgrade later if it seems too cramped in there.

[sparkysmum]

Have just noticed your post so sorry for late reply. I have to say that I don't think a 3 metre run is anything like large enough for 4 hens to live in for most of the day. They will soon become very bored & exhibit anti social behaviour. I really do believe that hens need to free range or have several metres /hen in a fixed run. Sorry. Alli x

[counturchickens]

I had 5 ex batts in a 3 run, they were absolutely fine, but of course compared to where they came from it's a palace!

[Purplemaniacs]

I had 5 ex batts in a 3 run, they were absolutely fine, but of course compared to where they came from it's a palace!

I think you are right, when I had my three ex batts they had less space than my hybrids did, they seemed quite happy so I never got round to adding the extra section, now I just have the two they are fine but soon they will be joining the hybrids in the WIR as I need to eglu for the bantams.

 

Also I am worried that if I lost one of them that would leave a lone chook and I don't want that.

 

Chrissie

[Mrs Potts]

Just to say I had four ex battery hens in a Classic with 4m run for six months and they were fine; no boredom feather pecking or anything. Then I had three in a 3m sometimes 4m run. They free ranged every evening during the summer for about half an hour and longer at summer weekends, but only at the weekend during the winter. They might have been happy simply because, as has been suggested, they came from something worse, but I am sure they were happy.

 

Be prepared that they will always be pleading to come out of whatever sized run you have them in, though!