[wildeone]

just watched the hatchery thing on utube and i'm appalled. Do free range do the same with the chicks before they're left to roam?  I'm really miffed!

I have a rabbit hutch unused at the moment can it be used to house a few chicks???

[GrannieAnnie]

How big is the hutch Wildeone?

[wildeone]

just trying to post picture.

[wildeone]

hope this works

[wildeone]

the run is about 4.5 foot  across and deep.   the hutch is half that! Can i do anything with it?

[Selkie]

Are you just wanting it for the hens to sleep in at night or would they be in there all the time?

[wildeone]

just for night!  Wouldn't they need more room for the day?

[wildeone]

it seems bigger than an igloo

[GrannieAnnie]

Do you mean an eglu?  Igloos can be quite big and house a whole family!!!!  

As long as the chooks could get out of the run sometimes, that hutch would be big enough for 2, maybe 3 chooks!!!!  You can move it around the grass so they are not on the same bit all the time, and maybe even enlarge that run???

[Selkie]

just for night!  Wouldn't they need more room for the day?

That's what I was thinking.

[Aunt Sally]

Box the top bit in, but make sure it has ventillation and extend the run and make it a bit taller. Bingo - chicken home for two medium birds   Perfic

If you have a look at the omlet site it will give you ideas on how to make roosting bars and a nest box Cos what you will have there is a wooden eglu  

http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Chickens&about=the%20eglu

[GrannieAnnie]

How big is the eglu Aunty?

[Aunt Sally]

http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Chickens&about=the%20run&rolling_image_id=3

Click on a page and enlarge the little diagram.

Not huge grannie, but I know people who have two of them and 6 birds and some nights they choose all to sleep in the same one  :roll: