Chicken bald back

[SuburbanChick]

This is my first post so apologies if this question has been asked before!

 

I have been avidly reading the Forum for some time and I was going to buy a Cube and get my chickens as soon as I arrived home from my summer holiday but now I am wracked by indecision. Can you help sort me out?

 

I had my heart set on 5 chickens and I was going to put them in a Cube with an extension run but I'm worried that too many chickens = more chance of disease. Can 5 chickens live happily in a Cube with an extension run or is 5 just too many? I'm not sure how much free ranging they'll be able to do because of Mr. Fox and his offspring.

 

I was going to site the Cube and run on the grass to start with and then add wood chips when the grass was no more! I haven't really got many options for moving the Cube round in my garden so I was going to give it a permanent site in view of the house so that I could enjoy and keep an eye on my chooks!

 

I'm also worried now because Autumn seems to be in the air and I wonder if it's not really the best time to get chickens ...... maybe Spring would be a better time?

[gavclojak]

Hi there and welcome:)

I was in the same position as you, I was waiting for ex batts, I decided on 4 in a cube but when I got to the ex batt collection day I brought home 5, I think it's a gtreat number. A nice size flock and manageable! I have a cube open into an enclosure but I have seen the cube with an extension holding 5 and they seemed happy enought!

I started on grass which lasted about 2 minutes and now have wood chips (not bark!) I would use a gound sanitiser weekly, worm regularly and I think you will be fine.

Not sure if your rural or town but the advantage of getting them now if that your neighbours windows will be closed so you can adapt to the new noise the girls make without worrying about complaining neighbours if that's a worry for you. And just think, by the time next summer comes, you'll be like a professional!

[good_egg]

I had 4 in a cube + extension but ended up building a WIR as they looked like they hadn't got enough space. I think there is guidance as to how much room per chicken -2msq perhaps?

 

Depends on breed (mine are quite chunky) but I think you would end up wanting more room. However I do agree 5woukd be a nice number. Could you look at a walk in run?

[Space Chick]

The recommendation is roughly 1square metre per hen. Personally I think 4 hens in an extended cube run would be the maximum.

 

I started with 4 in a standard cube run (0.6 square metres per hen) and it did look too cramped if I'm honest.

 

I quickly progressed to a large walk in run, and then a second walk in run with my ever expanding flock

 

I would say that when you have a large walk in run they need slightly less space per hen as they have so much space to move around, and if you have a walk in run you have height scope too..... Both my walk in runs have rabbit runs as mezzanine levels in them and perches etc.

[chickencam]

I don't have cube experience, but I find that with the Eglu run and extension I don't like to have more than 3 because they don't have that much ground space. The cube runs don't look that big to me so I would say possibly 4.

 

I would say that September is a good time to get youngsters because they will lay through the winter for you then moult next autumn. We tend to add to our number in August/ September each year, because the younger ones come into lay as the older ones take a break.

 

Have fun.

[SuburbanChick]

Thank you for your replies. I hadn't thought of the positve reasons for getting chickens in September but you've convinced me!!

 

I'm just refining my shopping list now to essentials and making a wish list of things that I can get later. I haven't been able to get out and about and I'm wondering about wood chips - where do you get them? Are they what the tree surgeons have? Wouldn't want to get the wrong sort and cause the chooks to have breathing problems.

[gavclojak]

that's right, that's exactly what I use. I know a tree surgeon so as soon as I need some he delivery me a ton and away we go, doesn't cost a penny although I give him a tenner for dropping it off!!

avoid the bark from garden centres as it hold moisture and bacteria.

[SuburbanChick]

Thanks for that prompt reply gavclojak. I thought that there was a problem with stuff from garden centres. Sounds like that's a really big delivery you have!!!

 

I'm still hankering after 5 chickens but might settle on 3. It's silly but I feel that chickens are a bit like flowers and should come in 3's or 5's rather than 2's or 4's!!!

[gavclojak]

I know just what you mean....I have a 35 Sq. foot enclosure for my 5 spoilt ladies though....I show them off on the tread introducing my ex batts at last......have a look if you get a minute at my lovely girls who I am so proud of!!!

[SuburbanChick]

Aw .... they're gorgeous! They look wonderfully healthy and they have such a wonderful space to roam in

 

Can't wait to get myself organised now and get my chickens! It's going to be so exciting!!!

 

Noticed you had a ramp up to the Cube - read somewhere that the plastic ladder is difficult for the chooks. Did you add it because you had problems?

[gavclojak]

Yes they did have problems. As ex batts I thought the plastic ladder was a big ask so I added the ramp and they seem ok with that. the steps tend to get very slippery when wet or damp too ! I tried once or twice to remove it and they got very flustered so thought it best to leave well alone. I did try rubber wrapped around the steps but they didn't like that one bit. They love the logs to jump on to get a better view of me pottering around, they also love a yellow treat ball filled with corn, gives them something to peck at and argue over:)

[SuburbanChick]

Mmmm.... interesting about the steps. Will have to think about that.

 

I saw the treat ball and thought it looked like fun for chickens. It's on my wish list!!

[Alis girls]

I giggled when I saw title as on Omlet - more is the order of the day. I have 4 but want 6 - space is the factor - OH has promised me a WIR - I want the Omlet one as too idle to build one and have promised I will never ask for anything for Xmas or birthday again ever ever ever

[Helenfmb]

I got my first 3 hens about a month ago and I'm thinking of adding to them already! I was thinking that next Easter would be the best time but reading these replies, I'm having 2nd thoughts. I've got a week off at the end of September so I might try and persuade hubby to get 2 more. For some reason, I think odd numbers are best - dont know why. I'm loving this chicken thing!! Wish I'd started earlier!

[SuburbanChick]

You're ahead of me then Helenfmb

 

What are you keeping your chickens in and have you got any tips to get over teething problems? Just about to place my order but I'm a bit anxious as well as excited!

[Hard Boiled]

As someone on this forum said to me - if you want 5 get 5! I had my heart set on 5, everyone told me to start with 3. When I went to collect the girls I came home with 4 as a compromise, but it just didn't feel right, so first thing the following morning I went back and picked up another one! I've got a cube with a WIR. They seem very happy in there, lots of logs and wooden perches etc. I have just ordered some Omlet netting so I can take them out of the cube and run so I can clean the run without getting in the chickens way!