Snakebite Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Hi all, I have some chooks and a cube and was hoping for some advice. By way of background I have 4 birds and they and the cube are in a WIR that is about 2m x 4m: 1. Do you clean out the trays under the roosting bars in the Cube weekly/daily? 2. I fully intend for them to free range around our backyard (3/4 acre), however I have kept them in the run at present, When can I let them out (knowing that they know where home is when it gets late)? I hate to see them penned up in there all day and can't wait to let them out. 3. I have purchased some Stalosan for the run. Do you just spread a couple of handfuls around the run once a week? Do I have to mix it into the woodchip, or just through it on top and let the girls scratch it in? Will the stalosan bother the birds? 4. At present they seem to prefer roosting on top of the cube or the roosting bars in the run, so in the evenings I have been picking them up and placing them in the Cube and then closing the door? Is this usual with new chooks? Any tips/guidance would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Sorry for the obvious typos.. of course I meant throw as opposed to through...it has been a long day already : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Hi all, I have some chooks and a cube and was hoping for some advice. By way of background I have 4 birds and they and the cube are in a WIR that is about 2m x 4m: 1. Do you clean out the trays under the roosting bars in the Cube weekly/daily? I only had an eglu so a cube may be a bit different but I'd say once or twice a week will be fine. You'll soon see how full it gets! In the summer (if we ever get one ) they tend to spend less time in their eglu/cube so it can probably go longer between emptyings. Putting some sort of bedding or newspaper on the base on the tray makes cleaning the tray a lot easier. 2. I fully intend for them to free range around our backyard (3/4 acre), however I have kept them in the run at present, When can I let them out (knowing that they know where home is when it gets late)? I hate to see them penned up in there all day and can't wait to let them out. They normally recommend a week to get them used to "home". Many people can't wait that long though . If you're confident they'll come running when you call (try shaking a cup of corn and calling them), I'd give it a go in the evening just before you think they're ready for bed and should be quite happy to go back in after a little exploring. 3. I have purchased some Stalosan for the run. Do you just spread a couple of handfuls around the run once a week? Do I have to mix it into the woodchip, or just through it on top and let the girls scratch it in? Will the stalosan bother the birds? I usually only use it when I do a bit cleanout, every couple of months or so. I use a small plastic cup and sprinkle it round so the ground is fairly evenly and thinly covered. No need to dig it and no, it won't bother the birds. 4. At present they seem to prefer roosting on top of the cube or the roosting bars in the run, so in the evenings I have been picking them up and placing them in the Cube and then closing the door? Is this usual with new chooks? They can take a while to get the hang of things. If you really want them to sleep in the cube (mine choose to sleep outside in their WIR ), I'd persevere with putting them in the cube and they should take the hint. Any tips/guidance would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Oh no, I am not sure I could wait a whole week. They are desperate to get out and explore. What's the minimum I could get away with do you think? On another note. I have the Cube int he run, however it does take up a lot of room and would prefer to move it. the run is built onto the side of our shed and I was thinking is it possible to put the Cube into the shed and then I will knock a small hole fromthe shed into the run and that way the chickens can have more room in the run and simply walk up a ramp into the Cube through the small hole I put in the shed wall. The only issue I was thinking would be that the she is dark when the doors are closed and that means that there wouldnt be a lot of light in the Cube save that which shine into it from the run. Does this matter. Do the chooks need a lot of light or would that light that naturally shines into it from the run be sufficient? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 I'm sure a few days would suffice. They don't tend to stray very far when they first taste freedom . Not sure putting the cube into the shed would work, tbh . There probably wouldn't be enough ventilation for the hens and also, it would make cleaning the cube very difficult (unless your shed is huge and you don't mind getting it wet!) Lots of people have their cube outside their WIR. There are a few in this thread of run photos. If you don't use your shed for anything else, you could still have a pop hole and make it a nice area for them to potter about in out of the rain! It would also be useful for introductions (when you get more hens ) or as a sick bay. If you can post a few photos of your garden/shed etc, I'm sure we could make some suggestions . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thanks ANH for your advice. I didn't think of ventilation. The shed is quite large with a pitched roof. It has two large doors and would fit two cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thanks ANH for your advice. I didn't think of ventilation. The shed is quite large with a pitched roof. It has two large doors and would fit two cars. hmmmm I think there may JUST be enough room for a cube so long as you breath in when walking round Seriously.....As ANH says so long as you don't mind the shed getting wet when you clean the cube & as long as there is ventilation through the shed it actually sounds ok. Does the shed have any windows? If you put the cube in the shed you would have to be prepared for woopsies over the floor as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Thanks for your comments. As for ventilation there is no breeze blowing through the shed, as usually the main doors are shut. I thought it woudl be easiest as I would only have a small hole through the shed wall into the run and would wheel the Cube up to the hole and when I needed to clean I could then wheel it outside for a hose down? Sorry but several more issus: 1. We have only had the hens for 3 days however some of them have quite runny poo. Is this because of the move and will it settle down? 2. Some are laying nice hard shell eggs, however this morning I noticed the there were about 3 soft shelled eggs laying in the trays under the roosting bars in the Cube, which suggests one or two are laying very strange eggs, not in the nesting box but on the bars and the soft shelled eggs are falling through. Is this another problem I have? Eeek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Re the ventilation, it's more about them having enough airflow round the cube rather than having draughts . If you think your shed is big enough to allow good airflow, it should be OK. Runny poos and softies are fairly normal with new girls. Even established hens will lay a runny poo (known as a curry poo ) every now and then (it's a caecal clearout!). Bokashi bran is useful for firming up poos (and is good for their digestion) and garlic powder (for horses) is good for reducing poo smells! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 So is it that there is enough space around the Cube to allow it to ventilate as opposed to having airflow? I guess if the shed is large enough for two cars it would suffice on the ventilation aspect? It doesn't have windows, and little light, however I assume the light from the run area will shine into the Cube in any event? Do I have to worry that one or two are laying in the roosting area of the cube? Sorry for all the questions, however being new and concerned about the hens health, I am eager for answers to so many questions With respect to firming up the poos the feed I give them is Garvo Layers mash. Shoudl I be giving them something else as well? I do have a little pot of grit in there for them, which I see them pecking at from time to time? Thanks for all your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Don't worry about asking questions, we were all new once and that's mainly what this forum is for . I'm just concerned that your cube might get too hot in the warmer weather if there isn't much airflow round it. Chickens have a higher body temperature than us and when there are a few of them they generate quite a bit of heat. I'd like someone else's opinion, tbh, I'm no expert! I'll flag this up with a few seasoned chickenkeepers . Hens will sometimes lay in odd places (especially when they're new to you) which isn't a problem if you don't mind! A pot egg or golf ball in the nestbox is supposed to give them the idea that that's the place to lay. Layers mash and grit is fine. Pellets are another option if you find the mash is getting everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 I agree that it probably isn't a good idea to have the cube in the shed for all the reasons already stated. The smell will be unimaginable in hot weather, even with the most rigorous of housekeeping. Why not abut it to the outside of the run as many Omleteers have done. Have a hunt round this section for inspiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearls007 Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 We had a few soft eggs when our girls were young, and now we get an occasional one every few months. Though "proper" eggs are always laid in the nest box - our girls lay softies anywhere except the nest box - either on the roosting bars or in the run. They obviously know there is something wrong with it, or the "I'm laying an egg signals" are wrong and they don't accord the soft egg the honour of the nest! Wonderful thing nature! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakebite Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Thanks ANH, Egluntyne and Pearls, Your advice is so re-assuring and greatly appreciated. I have ditched the shed idea and decided I will attach to the back of the run, which brings even more problems, including cutting down several pines that form part of a large hedge that annoyingly is too close to the back of the run. But hey ho it will be fun nonetheless. The constructions side of chicken runs is part of the enjoyment So pleased to hear that they lay the soft shelled eggs anywhere, and as you said the proper eggs have all been laid in the nest box. On a side note I thought the girls were still having a few issues with the little ladder that comes with the Cube, so I built a little ramp for them, which they seemed to love straight away. I hope this wasn't a bad idea and the ladder was to prevent vermin getting access to the cube But the ladder is so much easier for them trotting up and down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 I'm sure you'll find having the cube outside is the best plan - it'd be a shame to hide it away in a shed . Lots of people have adapted the cube ladder because their girls have difficulty with it . I quite agree, part of the fun is planning and creating the run . I still enjoy making modifications, 4 years down the line . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
