?fives a crowd?

[lainey lou]

I currently have 3 hens who have an eglu mark2 to sleep/lay in and a 9 foot by 20 foot run. The girls sleep all snuggled together in their eglu taking up about a 1/4 of the space.
I'd really like to get two more hens, does anyone have an opinion on the space?

[Noodle]

I think it would be a bit of a squash in the eglu. They would get quite hot in the summer. They are really only designed for up to 3 non-bantam hens. Your run sounds plenty big enough for more though, if you could part with your eglu and make them a bigger house. You could always sell it on e-bay and use he proceeds to make a hen palace, they fetch a lot second hand!

[Flummery]

They say up to 4 but I know they tend to huddle. I'd certainly say the run is big enough. Addictive, is it?

[lainey lou]

I think it would be a bit of a squash in the eglu. They would get quite hot in the summer. They are really only designed for up to 3 non-bantam hens. Your run sounds plenty big enough for more though, if you could part with your eglu and make them a bigger house. You could always sell it on e-bay and use he proceeds to make a hen palace, they fetch a lot second hand!

Mark 2's are designed for up to 4.
I would be happy with just another 1 hen but I,m worried about the integration, thought it might be easier if 2 went in together.

[lainey lou]

They say up to 4 but I know they tend to huddle. I'd certainly say the run is big enough. Addictive, is it?

it's totally addictive, I just love my girls, they're great, wish we'd got them years ago!

[Noodle]

It definately is easier from what people say. I've just added 2 bantams and one gets picked on loads more than the other, but I can only imagine what it would be like with one! Having said that though, some people seem to have done it. Someone will be on shortly who has introduced one I'm sure!
Didn't realise the mark 2's were up to 4, are yours small hens? You might get away with it, or 2 tiny banties!

[lainey lou]

I Have 2 gingernut rangers and a miss pepperpot, they're not that large.
Do Bantams mix ok with full sized hens?

[Hilary B]

If the house is 'rated' for 4 hens, you should get away with 5, if you don't need to shut them in the house summer nights. Official figures from manufacturers are always a bit on the cautious side (they have to be, but taking SMALL liberties with that caution is usually OK). I would put a box (tea-chest?) in the run so that the newcomers have a place to shelter if the 'established residents' don't want to share. If/when they seem happy together, the box can be taken out (if it has lasted that long).

[lainey lou]

I would put a box (tea-chest?) in the run so that the newcomers have a place to shelter if the 'established residents' don't want to share. If/when they seem happy together, the box can be taken out (if it has lasted that long).

That sounds like a good idea, I've also hear introducing them at bedtime can work?

[Noodle]

If you put the new ones in once the others have gone to roost, they should leave each other alone and sleep. There will still be scraps during the day, but I think it's supposed to helo reduce this. Yes, bantams do mix with LF, you just don't get many eggs from them, but they do tend to be friendlier.

[shirlthegirl43]

How big is an eglu? I don't seem able to find out. I am trying to work out if our hens are squashed in their house - 3 and a half foot by 2 foot and 3 foot high (approximately).

[lainey lou]

How big is an eglu? I don't seem able to find out. I am trying to work out if our hens are squashed in their house - 3 and a half foot by 2 foot and 3 foot high (approximately).

80cm x 80cm
(2foot 8 x 2 foot 8)
How may do you have Shirley?

[shirlthegirl43]

3 Warrens just now - we got them on Friday. Our run isn't very big which is the real limiter at the moment. We are starting work on a bigger, permanent run at the weekend - nice to know the 'cupboard' is big enough to have a few more though.

[JILLY JACKSON]

Lainey,I have 3 bantams in my eglu and also want more ,so in the spring i am going to get some fertile bantam eggs ,take the bars out of the house and let the girls have some chicks.Hopefully i will get a couple of hens out of it ,any extras can be sold on or go to my friend,cockerals especially.No integrating problems then.Have had lovely experiences in the past hatching my own.Mine definately go broody dont know if yours will though but its a chance?Heard someone on here recently saying his were not supposed to go broody but have.

[lainey lou]

Lainey,I have 3 bantams in my eglu and also want more ,so in the spring i am going to get some fertile bantam eggs ,take the bars out of the house and let the girls have some chicks.Hopefully i will get a couple of hens out of it ,any extras can be sold on or go to my friend,cockerals especially.No integrating problems then.Have had lovely experiences in the past hatching my own.Mine definately go broody dont know if yours will though but its a chance?Heard someone on here recently saying his were not supposed to go broody but have.

We,ve had a broody girl, boy no boy around fertilise!