What do you think?

[Gorsty]

Hi folks

Am contemplating getting 2 x Warren girls (egg laying machines) but my other doesn't think there will be room for 5 in the coop so the young cockerel will have to go.: He keeps on mentioning "the pot" or the local market - neither enthrall me so if anyone wants him let me know. He's quite a character at just 7-8 wks

Don't always intend for them to stay "cooped up" - want to let them free range a bit when I'm at home but for the time being they're safer behind bars with my cat around!!

The actual run is about 8ft x 4 ft with the house 15" or so off the ground with a floor space 48" x 28" + nest box - do you think it big enough to cope with 4 hens + cockeral???? Or should I be sensible & stick with the trio I've got? What do you think?

Expect I have a dose of cluckyitus

[Chuky cupcake]

Hi Gorsty, Should be big enough, they like a snuggle up at night and the big boy should keep order. We have 2 cats, one is not botherd at all and the little girl has swiped our troublemaker a couple of times, but I think you'll find it will settle down and no bloodshed will occur. Chuks too big for cats, sit and watch for a while it will amaze you, their interaction and surprise you too. Good luck x

[RichmondHens]

Well I'm for giving hens as much space as they can get. I wouldn't put more than 3 in that space i have to say, especially if they are not being let out much.

[Hans Mum]

As chucky says dont worry about your cat, my girls gave the cat a good beating within the first couple of days (he's still got the scars) and he now treats them with the respect they deserve.....both cats avoid them

[julesapple]

Oh No.....

......I was hoping that someone would say that Gorsty doesn't have enough room....because my coop run is the same size, but my hen house is bigger and my girls have a big part of the garden to free range.

So, this means I do have room for more than four

Chuky, I think I have Cluckyitus too!

Jules

[Gorsty]

Indecision

Oh dear - I'm still dithering and the man with the warrens has rang this morning - he says I can pick them up tonight!

The whole point of us having cluckies was to provide enough eggs for the two of us and I don't think just two Barnevelders will do that - hence the idea of the warrens. Just wish Joe Cocker would turn back into Josie Pullet over night so I wouldn't have all these decisions to make!

The older I get the more indecisive I become - don't know what I'll be like in 20 yrs???

Perhaps I should get just ONE WARREN!!??

Thanks for your thoughts on this

[MaureenHall]

Get as many as you can, you can always give away or sell any extra eggs

[julesapple]

Get as many as you can, you can always give away or sell any extra eggs

I so love Maureen's advice!

I think OH would divorce me if I bought more.....perhaps if I had to rescue a hen I might get away with adding to my flock...might.

Jules

[Gorsty]

Compromise

Well I've been & done it - sense did prevail - came home with just ONE of the most beautiful warrens as I've ever seen. She's gorgeous!

Have partitioned the run off so they can get used to one another before bedtime. Joe Cocker seems the most interested - not sure whether he thinks she's his mum, another girlfriend OR someone else to pinch the best bits of food. She is so much bigger than him so their meeting will be interesting.

Photo to follow.

[julesapple]

Oooohhh....

...lovely! Can't wait to see pics.

You were very strong. I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to say no, and come home with both.

Jules

[Gorsty]

Sorted i think - or is it early days

Took the partition down after about 2 hrs and new girl "Annie" - short for Anniversary (wedding anniversary today) attacked the youngest of the three chicks - got her by the back of the neck - not nice!! Then she had a go at the 2nd biggest chick but then Joe Cocker came tothe rescue. He is tiny in comparison to her but gave chase = first this way, then that way - I was amazed! Really sorted her out!

Annie then left the m alone and eventually put herself to bed - I left them until it was going dark and then got the three chicks inside the house. Fingers crossed it will still be as peaceful in the morning