gavclojak Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Do you knowledgeable lot think a rabbit hutch would suffice for a few ex-commercial hens during the quarantine/introduction period? My friend has a brand new hutch and has offered it to me, my lovely OH said he can make roosting bars in the larger section and I will line with lino and auboise, my question's are.. 1. Do they really need the roosting bars, I hope they will be with the big girls after about a month or so 2. Should I worry about red mite as it will be a short tern let 3 Do I need to do anything else with the hutch? Thanks for your continued help and advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Think it would be fine Gavclojak, for a few weeks though, not a month. It's going to be very small for them. Roosting bars are not necessary and they may not perch anyway. But they may get dirty bottoms from sleeping on the floor, so will need washing perhaps. Forget red mite for such a short period if the weather is cool. Make sure it is all covered from sun and rain. Will perhaps have to move it to fresh ground several times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I agree, that for the short term it will be fine. However, I would always be mindful of redmite and take appropriate action. Ex bats are often heaving with redmite when they are rescued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 Thank you both for your prompt replies, it is fairly large beantree, I would say there is it has more room than a classic and was thinking of just three new girls. I am going to fence off an area of the enclosure and give them one side and the big girls the other. I am going to do that a week before so the big girls don't resent the loss of space!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Sounds perfect, lucky girlies Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 Sounds perfect, lucky girlies Ax Thanks....just got to think of some names for them now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Rabbit hutches are fine Ex batts lack the inclination to perch usually and no bird NEEDS perches, Not a single one of my coops has a perch and my lot are just fine Ideally with a rabbit hutch I use the small door as the access and keep the larger side closed as the roosting area, I use something to cover the wire on that part leaving a couple of inches of wire at the top as ventilation, if its not your hutch then a bit of tarp attached with bungees or even cardboard (if run is covered) would do and leaves the hutch undamaged. You need the roosting area darker than just wire or you run the risk of the hens eating their eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Rabbit hutches are fine Ex batts lack the inclination to perch usually and no bird NEEDS perches, Not a single one of my coops has a perch and my lot are just fine Ideally with a rabbit hutch I use the small door as the access and keep the larger side closed as the roosting area, I use something to cover the wire on that part leaving a couple of inches of wire at the top as ventilation, if its not your hutch then a bit of tarp attached with bungees or even cardboard (if run is covered) would do and leaves the hutch undamaged. You need the roosting area darker than just wire or you run the risk of the hens eating their eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 lino is the only concern as it has a tendency to make wood sweat in the form of condensation it can also harbour red mite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 Thank you SJP, I had not even considered that, I am so used to the lovely plastic cube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
