Storms and chickens

[simonmjames]

hi

I want to add a 2m x 2m walk in run to our Cube Mk2 3m run extension - I'm sick of all that bending!  

 

I see there's connector you can get to fix the run extension to the walk in bit but does anyone know if you can keep the existing door to the run extension if you do that? Or do you have to lose that bit when you connect? I like the idea of being able to shut the girls in the run extension - particularly if one or two need to be seperated or I want to introduce new hens. 

 

Thanks 

 

Simon

[Cat tails]

Yes you can keep the doors to the original run. Indeed a good choice, to keep the option.

[mullethunter]

I think you might have to take them off and fit them in a different way though.

[simonmjames]

Thanks - as @mullethunter says, and from the videos for fitting the connector, it looks like the doors to the original run are going to have to come off and then be refitted in a different way. 

14 hours ago, Cat tails said:

Yes you can keep the doors to the original run. Indeed a good choice, to keep the option.

 

[Cat tails]

Strange. My dad didn’t have any issues. But he does have the mark 1 Cube

[simonmjames]

17 minutes ago, Cat tails said:

Strange. My dad didn’t have any issues. But he does have the mark 1 Cube

Thanks - from looking online at the entrance doors/panel to the Mk1 run extension it looks pretty much identical to that of the MK2 so hopefully all will be well. I suspect that even if it isn't a perfect fit, I can cobble something secure together - the clip system means that you have quite a lot of flexibility. I'll report back!  

[Patricia W]

I’ve got a Mk1 and a WIR.   It connects to the WIR via 1 metre of the cube run.  That’s all I wanted as it’s difficult enough to clean that 1m out.  I’ve hinged the back panel underneath the cube to make it easier.   I could have reattached the cube run door if I’d wanted to though.   If you want to do that, I’d just experiment using cable ties.  They are usually the answer to everything! 

[simonmjames]

24 minutes ago, Patricia W said:

I’ve got a Mk1 and a WIR.   It connects to the WIR via 1 metre of the cube run.  That’s all I wanted as it’s difficult enough to clean that 1m out.  I’ve hinged the back panel underneath the cube to make it easier.   I could have reattached the cube run door if I’d wanted to though.   If you want to do that, I’d just experiment using cable ties.  They are usually the answer to everything! 

Thanks very much - as you say, cable ties ( or eglu clips) sort most things!  

[simonmjames]

Hi all - just an update. The eglu run fitted fine onto the new WIR. I bought a connector kit but in the end  just used some of it to fill some obvious gaps. 

 

The good news is that it meant that we can keep the seperating doors no problem! 

 

Photos attached 

[Patricia W]

Looks great! 

[Luvachicken]

Looks pretty good to me 😊

[Annabel]

That's exactly what I did with my MK1 run and walk in run and keeping that door has been a lifesaver for introducing new hens (even in Avian Flu lockdown, it was nice to keep them cooped up in the MK1 run and then let them into the walk in later on in the day -rather than giving them all the space at once as it added a bit of excitement to a very boring time).  Your setup and hens look lovely.

[simonmjames]

7 hours ago, Annabel said:

That's exactly what I did with my MK1 run and walk in run and keeping that door has been a lifesaver for introducing new hens (even in Avian Flu lockdown, it was nice to keep them cooped up in the MK1 run and then let them into the walk in later on in the day -rather than giving them all the space at once as it added a bit of excitement to a very boring time).  Your setup and hens look lovely.

 

8 hours ago, Luvachicken said:

Looks pretty good to me 😊

 

11 hours ago, Patricia W said:

Looks great! 

Thanks all - in the end we're using it as a way to gently introduce Ken the cockerel..  

[Patricia W]

Once he has completed his 2 week quarantine for health reasons it should be straightforward.  They usually accept a Cockerel quite easily.  The exception might be the dominant hen.  I did have a Cockerel who was definitely second in command! 

[simonmjames]

12 minutes ago, Patricia W said:

Once he has completed his 2 week quarantine for health reasons it should be straightforward.  They usually accept a Cockerel quite easily.  The exception might be the dominant hen.  I did have a Cockerel who was definitely second in command! 

Thanks for that. In January took over a flock of 9 hens and a cockerel from someone who was moving off our allotment but shortly before the transfer one of the "hens" ( who had all been raised by the then owners) emerged as a cockerel and so had to be removed to a seperate run as he and the original cockerel were fighting. Then, unfortunately the original cockerel died so we tried to move the "spare" cockerel, Ken back in. But his sisters (and probably mums!) weren't having it and kept really attacking him. So over the past month or so we've moved him closer and closer until this weekend where he's just seperated by the mesh gate. We'll play it by ear for the next few weeks but so far everyone seems interested - but as you say, Ena, the dominant hen is keeping her distance, but frankly she's getting older now anyway and may not have the energy for a fight. If it really doesn't work, at least he has a lovely run now!