Solitary chicken - need advice

[jo0501]

Is it possible to have 5 chickens in a eglu.We presently have 3 and they spend most of the time out in the garden.At night they squish together so that there is tons of space inside.Has any one else got this number?Will probably upgrade to cube next spring.

[feemcg]

Hi, 5 can sleep in an eglu no problem, its more to do with the run space - a standard run wouldn't be big enough. If you had an extended eglu run or larger homemade run it would be fine

[robskyd]

I thought it was only made for 4? Though I suppose it depends on the size of the breed you keep....

[Mel (& Paul)]

We have had seven sleeping in one eglu one night

 

I totally agree it is all to do with the run - I wouldnt have four girls in a standard run unless they were able to free range for most of the day.

[JellyB]

I have 7 who all sleep in the Eglu all snuggled up but I have a 12' x 12' run for them during the day when I'm at work and then at weekends and evenings they roam around the garden. I had a peep in last night and they were all piled up in one corner with still loads of spare room inside

[Richard]

How big are your girls? All of mine are from heavy breeds apart from the Pepperpot. I wouldn't want to push more than 5 into my Mark 1 Eglu, and actually think that 4 is really the maximum. However the Orps are really big birds so if yours are smaller it should be no problem - and the Mark 1 is not as big as subsequent ones I understand (don't know if that's true).

[zircon]

Good question. Thats what I like about this site, just as you think of a problem, somebody else has the same one. ...I have 4 gingernut girls at the moment in a Mk2 eglu & extended run but have the offer in a few weeks (subject to chicks not being boys ) of a white sussex or two, and we have been mulling over our expansion plans.

1. Sell Eglu & get Cube...cannot afford it.

2. Keep Eglu and make permananet 6'x8' (or 12') run. - Cheaper option but were worried about girls being squashed at night...are we being daft.

3. Sell Eglu and make home made house......NO WAY !!!!!!

 

So I cannot help you but also need to know more.....will six fit ?

[redfrock]

It is very rare for us to find both eglus in use at night. We often have to move 3 or 4 into the other eglu (only because we think we should - I don'tthink the 8 girls mind!

 

But like others we have a large run for when we are out at work and then free range every minute of the day when we are home.]

 

And we have a whole range of sizes when it comes to our birds - a fair few of them are certainly big girls!

[Snowy]

All 7 of mine also squash into one eglu on occasion! It is more about the run space though. I'd sell the eglu and run; buy the cube without run (cheaper) and build a big, walk in run.

[Dogs Too]

I have 4 gingernut girls at the moment in a Mk2 eglu & extended run but have the offer in a few weeks (subject to chicks not being boys ) of a white sussex or two, and we have been mulling over our expansion plans.

 

I have 4 in an Eglu and extended run and they range, they are happy and there is more than enough space for more,

 

BUT beware the Sussex is a big bird, Tullula is a Sussex hybrid and dwarfs the other three, however she is the most people friendly and has been taking lessons from Long Johns Silvers parrot as she will sit on my shoulder whilst I am in the garden

[The Dogmother]

I've got 10 bantams in one mark 2 eglu with an extended run. They spend all day freeranging and there's loads of room at night when they all squish up

[Richard]

Good question. Thats what I like about this site, just as you think of a problem, somebody else has the same one. ...I have 4 gingernut girls at the moment in a Mk2 eglu & extended run but have the offer in a few weeks (subject to chicks not being boys ) of a white sussex or two, and we have been mulling over our expansion plans.

1. Sell Eglu & get Cube...cannot afford it.

2. Keep Eglu and make permananet 6'x8' (or 12') run. - Cheaper option but were worried about girls being squashed at night...are we being daft.

3. Sell Eglu and make home made house......NO WAY !!!!!!

 

So I cannot help you but also need to know more.....will six fit ?

 

why not;

4. Keep Eglu and make homemade house?

 

I have a magazine article which will show you how to make one and it can be done from plywood and s"Ooops, word censored!" wood. There are other people on the forum that have made them very cheaply - and one recent thread showing a very servicable coop made from an old palate and recycled hinges etc. with no outlay at all!

 

I have a couple of Buff Sussex and they are lovely.

[Jules.]

Good question. Thats what I like about this site, just as you think of a problem, somebody else has the same one. ...I have 4 gingernut girls at the moment in a Mk2 eglu & extended run but have the offer in a few weeks (subject to chicks not being boys ) of a white sussex or two, and we have been mulling over our expansion plans.

1. Sell Eglu & get Cube...cannot afford it.

2. Keep Eglu and make permananet 6'x8' (or 12') run. - Cheaper option but were worried about girls being squashed at night...are we being daft.

3. Sell Eglu and make home made house......NO WAY !!!!!!

 

So I cannot help you but also need to know more.....will six fit ?

 

why not;

4. Keep Eglu and make homemade house?

 

I have a magazine article which will show you how to make one and it can be done from plywood and s"Ooops, word censored!" wood. There are other people on the forum that have made them very cheaply - and one recent thread showing a very servicable coop made from an old palate and recycled hinges etc. with no outlay at all!

 

 

I have a couple of Buff Sussex and they are lovely.

 

Homemade house for the chooks or the humans?

[Richard]

why not;

4. Keep Eglu and make homemade house?

 

I have a magazine article which will show you how to make one and it can be done from plywood and s"Ooops, word censored!" wood. There are other people on the forum that have made them very cheaply - and one recent thread showing a very servicable coop made from an old palate and recycled hinges etc. with no outlay at all!

 

I have a couple of Buff Sussex and they are lovely.

 

I've just reread my post - I don't want to sound a traitor to my Eglu & cube so want to qualify my comment! Ideal would be to stick with Omlet I reckon, but if you can't, I think you would regret selling your Eglu.

 

so my suggestion is that you keep your Eglu, If you then don't have the dosh for another Omlet product - homemade can be fine. I have a homemade coop as well as my Eglus; Georgie is living in it at the present, in splendid isolation, in her own section of the garden. Becos I can't face putting her with the new hens yet!