christyrose12 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I have 2 orpingtons and a buff sussex in my classic at the moment and a friend has asked me if I have room for a couple of ex batts. My 3 seem to cuddle up tight so theres plenty of room in there. I just wondered why it says only 2 - 4 chickens? Is it because of ventilation? Does anyone else keep more than the reccommend amount in theres? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Five standard chooks in an actual classic is ok (provided the run is suitably big enough) but Orps are big. They may physically fit in but there needs to be adequate airflow Personally I wouldnt do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I wouldn't do it either. Some chickens like to huddle up others like their own space. I wouldn't want to force them to cuddle together. Also you'd need to be extra careful with the ex-bats for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I wouldn't do it either, presuming they are LF orps. I have kept 2 LF orps in a classic with an extended run, netting pen and the ability to free range. I have also kept 1 LF orp, 1 bantam orp and 4 bantam polands in one with the same set up for a few months whilst I sorted out breeding pens. However, I wouldn't keep 2 LF, a sussex and 2 ex-batts - I don't think there is enough room without a squash, there isn't enough nesting box, and in my experience too many birds in a house is a recipe for disaster in terms of illness spreading around quickly - particularly going into the winter. Orps retain a lot of moisture in their numerous feathers which means there can be damp in the house, and I really don't think there would be enough ventilation for a house full of quite large/large birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I have had four normal size chickens in an eglu and I am sure one more could have fitted in but Orpingtons are big so I am afraid I wouldn't do it either. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christyrose12 Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 Thank you all. They have a large run - 47sq metres but at this time of year they spend alot of time in the eglu so was worried about ventilation. They are only 16 weeks and 28 weeks so the little one hasnt reached full size yet so have to allow for that aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayleybug Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 can you pick up another eglu 2nd hand for the ex batts and have them both in the run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christyrose12 Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 Yes, I did think of that.... but I had 17 chickens once in my back garden and it was abit too much as its not massive. Thankfully my friend with a farm took some and I have 3 now. So, although I'd love to have more I really shouldnt. I was just thinking would another 2 make that much difference but I think from the advice on here is - it would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
