Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Chickens@61]

Hi,

 

Not posted in ages, but I'm looking for some advice please

 

Our old walk-in run needs replacing & we have just bought a cube, including the standard run (2m) and 2 x 1m extensions... think the total run space will be about 4.8 sqm?

 

We have 3, quite elderly ex batts & would like to add some new hens to the group... would another 3 be too many in that size space? Or would just 2 be better? They will be average sized hybrids.

 

Not too worried about introductions (touch wood!) as our current run has an introductions section built in, then they will all go into new cube together Just unsure about flock size

 

Any advice appreciated

[Chickabee]

Hi,

 

It really depends if they're going to free range. I would say 6 would be fine if they are . If you haven't already, put some perches in the run

[mimi5]

Hi there You'll enjoy having a cube, they are fab I have just the set up you describe But I only keep pekins. Mine do free range, but only on my days off and I work 3 long days when they are shut in their run. I have had up 7 pekin bantams, but had problems with a naughty bully hen, who pulls feathers I have just bought another meter extension to add to my set up and have hatched this year to hopefully have a few girls to add to my remaining 3.

 

I would say 5 would be better if they will be shut in the run for any long periods. Of course as has been mentioned add perches and a dustbath also hanging food adds interest.

 

Have you decided on what hens to add?? Exciting times!!! Enjoy and let us know how you get on

[Chicken shack]

Before I had a WIR added and a dedicated free range area I had 5 hybrids in the same setup with limited FR as we had lots of foxes at the time. I don't think I would have put anymore in there.

[Chickens@61]

Thanks everyone

 

I think I'll just get 2 so the total group is 5... They only free range evenings & weekends so are in the run when we're not around

 

I'm planning to get a columbine (really miss our old blue egg layer!) & another hybrid this weekend. We are going to Sunnyside poultry in Burton on Trent to see what they've got

 

Very excited about becoming a cube owner

[Chickabee]

I love the cube and I love my columbine. Big girl with lovely fluffy bottom

[The Dogmother]

You are mainly limited by the size of the run, as you will need to plan for the eventuality of them being in the run all day, in case that happens. 5 will be fine in that space

 

The housing is less crucial... up to a point; they like to huddle together at night, so the official recomendation of 12" roosting bar space per bird is less relevant, but obviously, sense needs to prevail, as an overcrowded coop will cause lack of ventilation and condensation.

 

You probably know this, but it's best to block off the nest box at night to keep it clean, and prevent them from overheating by sleeping in there; I find that the bottom of the smallest size Tub Trug fits in that round hole very nicely

[Chickens@61]

I'd heard that about closing off the nesting box but in their current coop my 3 ex-batts all sleep in there... they don't seem to know what roosting bars are for Do you think it would be cruel to stop them doing this when they move to the cube? It is a very messy habit!

[The Dogmother]

It will also make them very hot and a magnet for lice and mites; birds are designed to perch on branches, and they need that air flow around their nethers to stop them getting too hot. if you block it off, they will learn to perch.