Elderly cat breathing difficulties when purring

[xScrunchee]

Just wondered whether 5 hens in an Eglu would be ok?

 

My run is 5 ft X 11 ft and I was considering getting a couple more hens in the spring/summer and just wondered if 5 would be way too many?

What about the run-would that be big enough for 5?

 

Only toying with the idea but thought I'd get some opinions before getting carried away day dreaming!!

[Martin B]

I recon 5 would get in the eglu ok, as long as they are not Orpingtons or Brahmas or the like.

 

Not sure about the run, I'm not very good with measurements. 1sqm per bird is a going rate but I think it is better if they get a bit more.

[Cinnamon]

I have 2 Eglus for my 8 hens,4 of which are new girls but they still all cram into one Eglu at night

I would much rather they split up,& have tried to seperate them into the 2 Eglus at night,but they do insist every night on cramming back in again.

 

The other Eglu is handy as an extra egg laying area,but I am seriously considering now whether I mught be better off with a cube

 

Prior to this I have had 5 or 6 hens sleeping in one Eglu at night which has been fine, but 8 is just a couple too many for comfort,I think.

[Egluntyne]

The other Eglu is handy as an extra egg laying area,but I am seriously considering now whether I mught be better off with a cube

 

Quick....there's one for sale on Ebay!!!!!

[Christian]

Hi Jay!

 

After a week settling in time, my new and old girls share an eglu. Thats 5 in an and there is still room!

 

Bearing in mind, that Winifred is a massive light sussex!

 

The only problem would be the run size, but as you have a large run, it wouldn't be a problem!!!

[xScrunchee]

Hi Jay!

 

After a week settling in time, my new and old girls share an eglu. Thats 5 in an and there is still room!

 

Bearing in mind, that Winifred is a massive light sussex!

 

The only problem would be the run size, but as you have a large run, it wouldn't be a problem!!!

 

So do you think a 5ft X 11 ft run is big enough if it has perches and shelves in it?

 

I would hate to cause behaviour problems due to lack of space

I have had enough behaviour problems to last a life time I think!!

[Christian]

I think that would be fine!

 

When i am at work (and away with work overnight) we have 2 in a standard run and 3 in a run with convertor. When i'm here they free range in their own garden corner.

 

Just make sure they have stuff to scratch around in and perches/logs etc and they will be happy as Larry!!

 

(who is Larry)?

[xScrunchee]

I have no idea who Larry is!

 

Well, the run works out to be 55 squared feet (well a little over that) and everywhere seems to say 10 square feet per hen in the run-so 5 hens should be fine. They will have a little over the 10 square feet each as well as perches, logs etc. Hemcore to scratch about in and a little free ranging time each day so it looks as though I will be getting a couple more come spring

 

I love the look of the light sussex and also the hybrid-sussex star which looks the same but is a little smaller I think.

 

Does anyone know if the Sussex star has the same qualities as the light Sussex?

 

More questions

[Christian]

Sorry, no idea about the light sussex/sussex star but my silver sussex is the friendliest so far and not much bigger than my Omlet girls.

 

 

 

She is in front. Winifred the light sussex behind looks small in this pic, but she is one BIG Lady!

[BeckyBoo]

How's it going with your new girls Jay?

 

Mrs B

[Snowy]

Must be going well if she's considering more already!

I agree with the above Jay - no problem with the run or eglu. I had 4 in the eglu with room for more, it was only run size holding me back!

[xScrunchee]

Yep-thinking of more already

Not till the spring though And OH has no idea

 

Rose has given up shouting at the new girls-think she realised that she was wasting her time as they took no notice at all.

 

She is also not trying to attack them through the bars and they don't seem quite as keen on poking their heads through!

 

She hasn't slept with them yet-I am waiting until her injuries have healed more but I am thinking of letting them all have a little mooch about in the garden soon, maybe in a day or two.

I know they are going to have to sort things out in their own way but I feel confident that they are not all going to turn into cannibals!! At least I pray that they are not going to!

 

I don't know why I am thinking of getting more after my recent problems. Madness I presume.

[xScrunchee]

Just wanted to ask about nests. If I had 5 girls in an Eglu would they all manage ok with 1 nest??

I know that when I had the other two girls there would be times when two wanted to lay at the same time so they would squeeze in together so I guess it would be ok???!

 

Also just wanted to let you all know that for the past two nights, I have put Rose to sleep in with Jasmine and Brandee. So far so good!!

Rose is healing nicely now and has no more scabs or bruising, just a bit pinky and bald but lot's of protein will help her I'm sure.

 

I do let them all out together now and Rose does give the newbies a hard time but it's not too bad and I'm sure that they will all be settled by Christmas.

[feemcg]

Good news . They'll be fine with the nest - mine have a choice of 3 nests and all queue up to lay in the same one .

[bronze]

Thought I would revive this thread as my question is similar. Would I be really cruel expecting my 7 banties to sleep in one eglu (not cube) if run size wasn't a worry. They currently all sleep in a cube nesting box together and dont even use the rungs.

[feemcg]

I don't have any bantams but currently have 6 chickens and 2 ducks sleeping in the purple eglu most nights (although last night Lulu must have needed her 'space' and was in the pink eglu by herself ).

[bronze]

Well if they can do it I'm sure my banties will be fine. I think I may have to shut the door every night though to stop them falling out. Which is ok as I'll have to shut the quail in anyway so no staying inside in the evenings for me.