Soggy run

[wee_deec]

Hi,

 

I want to start keeping chickens... I will probably start with 4.

 

I plan on getting 1 of each (Speckledy, Bluebelle, Cream Legbar and an Araucana)

 

Questions:

 

1. Are all 4 birds compatible with each other?

2. Are there bantam varieties? (sorry if this is a silly questions - I got very confused researching this bit!)

3. Would a Cube be too much space for 4 birds (I understand the run / FR space is more important). I am thinking for over winter etc...

4. Would a run space of 9m x 4m (the cube will be sited outwith this space) be big enough (they will not be able to FR at all, but will have the 9x4 space at all times)?

 

Any advice / suggestions would be great!

 

Thanks,

=D

[angeluk69]

Hiya,

sounds like a nice choice of 4 chickens there, I have a speckledy and a Bluebelle and they are lovely, my speckledy has just started laying this week

 

Tbh I have no answer for Questions 1 or 2.

 

3. Personally I would think that a cube would be a huge amount of space for just 4 girls, but keeping hens is quite addictive and I am sure your flock will quickly grow. From what I've been told hens will spend as much time as they need in the house to keep warm and the bigger the space is the harder it is to get warm and stay warm.

 

4. My hens don't FR at the moment and all 6 are contained within a 5m x 3m run. I can't let mine FR because of mr fox and low fencing. My girls are really happy with the space they have and I think the recommendation is 1sqm per bird so with 36sqm 4 hens will be very happy.

 

I'm sure if I have got anything incorrect someone will come along and help us both out, I'm still new to all this.

[wee_deec]

Hi Angel,

 

Thanks for your reply - must be really exciting when they start to lay!

 

Yeah, my fear is that a cube might be too spacious for 4 birds... I suspect that it might not warm up enough...

[Snowy]

The cube will be fine for 4 birds - they are quite hardy and don't feel the cold like we do. They will snuggle together in the cube for warmth if needs be. They definitely do better with as much space as you can give them.

[Redwing]

The only one of those that comes in bantam form is the Araucana

[wee_deec]

Hi Redwing,

 

Thanks for clarifying that - would it be better then to get a full-sized Araucana to match the rest?

[Redwing]

yes I would. Apart from anything they are easier to find and usually cheaper!

[wee_deec]

Fantastic -