Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Sorry I think this is going to be a bit long winded but would appreciate advice... A couple of weeks ago the thing we all dread happened..fox attack. 11 am. Bright sunshine. I'd been in and out all the time. I only had 4 girls...lost Rita, Spam in severe shock, 2 unscathed. Spam has pulled through and is back with the others (Bette and Macy) but I only have one egg layer. Spam & Macy are ex batts & in spite of being told they would lay for a while after I got them all I ever got was three shell less eggs before they toddled off into retirement. So only Bette is laying. I'd like to get a couple of POL but having read up on the Go Up, which is what I've got, it says 4 maximum and two extras would obviously take me to 5. I'd like to describe my set up and would welcome comments on if I'm right in thinking I could accommodate 5 in spite of recommendations...if it would be detrimental to them in any way I'd obviously have to rethink...here goes. All measures in feet...don't do new fangled stuff! My set up Go Up. So a bit of space under that. Usual 2 foot tunnel leading to 6x6 WIR. For 2-4 hours each day they also have access to another run approx 6x8. They are never going to free range again so what's described is pretty much it...I may add a bit more fencing but to be honest the garden already looks a bit like a Stalag so probably won't. There you have it...over to you. Hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Are your run dimensions feet or metres? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Feet...the WIR says 1.8m....6 feet. And I measured the extra run in feet...old measures for an old woman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I would think you'd really be pushing it having 5 full size (as opposed to bantams) chooks in that space. Both run and house. I have 4 bantams in my Go and although I'd love another two I don't think there's really room and they're only pekins and Wyandotte bantams so a LOT smaller than your girls (I know that even given the choice of more space some keepers find that loads more chooks than this will all cram into one coop - but that's their own choice!). IF the girls all got on well you might be OK, but I think you'd be asking for behavioural problems with 5 girls in that amount of space. Others may well disagree though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thanks for the advice...to be honest I was only thinking about actual living space...not the fact that they might not get on! I suppose I was lucky with this lot because Rita was obviously top chicken from the word go and first Bette then the batts couldn't have cared less. But I doubt I'd be so lucky a second time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I think you are pushing it with three in that space anyway Soo66. Adding two newbies with so little space would I think result in a lot of bloodshed, even after keeping them alongside for weeks. I wouldn't dream of giving a hen anything less than 22 square feet (2 square metres) as a permanent run and we aim to double that. You only have 86 square feet in total, so that's an absolute maximum of 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 If you do extend your run you may not have to provide accommodation. I have a go up with 1 silkie in it,a classic with other silkie inside and a wooden coop..empty and the other 8 hens roosting outside on a wooden rack ( looks a bit like towel rail ) in WIR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Oh well, looks like I'm a single egg woman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Grandmashazzie... The WIR that's attached to the Go has branches, ramps and various bits and pieces initially bought to amuse them...but I've never seen anyone use them. Their main function seems to be hampering me when I'm pottering about. I wasn't really concerned about run spaces, thinking they'd all muck in together, it was only sleeping that bothered me. But now I'm worried about everything! All I'm sure of is they're never being in the path of a bloody fox again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyAndBobby Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 We have two in a Go, attached to the low rise 1.8/1.8m (6x6 foot) WIR. When we are at home, they are out but when not, they're in the run. We only have two. I suspect 4 would fit nicely in the coop, but I couldn't imagine more than 3 in our size of Run. I know you have the bit extra with the Go Up run but it's still going to be tight, and that's all assuming they're are all mates and not dealing with introductions etc. This sounds quite callous but I'd consider letting the one's you have live out their lives, and when you're down to one, or none, get another three POL. I *think* our two are happy in the WIR with all the digging, scratching, dust bathing and perching they do. But, I don't think more than two works if they're in there for such long periods. In terms of not laying, have you looked at diet etc? If you've spoilt the ex-bats they may be a bit overweight and might not lay. Check feed etc. Are you just giving them pellets and nothing else. Obviously, apologies if you've had them for ages and know all this already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Photos seem to have a it cut off...clicking on them shows them full size....excuse the underpants on the line....or consider that I left them there for size comparison with run! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Daisy...You may be right about ex batts...they are now big girls, although only layers pellets are freely available, with some salad...usually cucumber and spinach every day. I don't feed anything else. If you look in the pic that's Spam. And here she is when she came. Sorry photo huge and chopped off again. Mrs Technology here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Doesn't Spam look great.Your WIR looks agood size, I would have thought if you had sort of ladder type shelves that would increase usable area and maybe squeeze in two more. In my experience I woul stick to ex batts my bantams are rubbish at the egg business. I have 6 one silkie is permanently broody and am getting 1 egg a day from other rascals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soo66 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thanks Grandma....I've never thought about bantams...I'm a bit too heavy handed for anything smaller than a full size chicken...and only roughty toughty ones at that. I think I might add to the wooden fence to give more ranging room and rethink additions. As long as what I've got are safe that will be my main concern for now. But...perhaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PixieDust Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I have 3 girls in a WIR 75ft Sq. They FR when supervised. Would love for them to have more space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
