Big enough for 3 Easter Eggers?

[junebuggena]

Depends on the size and temperament of the Easter Eggers. From the same hatchery, I got one hen that was about 8 pounds, and another that was about 4. Some Easter Eggers do fine in tight quarters. Others can turn very aggressive in such small spaces. Regardless, they are going to need more run space. If I were in your situation, I'd retrofit that coop/run to be a proper coop and build a separate run. Pull out the floor and roosts. Move the nest box setup down. And cover up the wire with plywood. That will give you a coop with room to spare, should you wish to add to your flock later on. Then build a 4x10 run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

OP said the external run was 15x30, they definitely have the run space set.

 

[junebuggena]

If that picket fence stuff is what the run is being made out of, they are going to have issues. Easter Eggers need a covered run to keep them contained. They are freakishly smart houdini type birds that can clear 6 feet without even flapping their wings.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Fencing can be changed or reinforced if there's issues, but at least the space has been set aside. My run fence is low as 4' in some areas and my birds seem mostly* content to stay inside now that they're adults.

* (My EE does like to leave, she just hops out the front door as soon the run door opens. She also lets herself back in.)

 

[3riverschick]

Oh this is an easy fix because you were smart and bought a coop with a roofed run. okay where's the door on the run ?is it on the end or on the side? doesn't matter. buy yourself some good plywood . put solid siding up on both open sides of the Run. leave the end open wire. if the door is on the side just put some wood over the door to cut the wind. okay niw you'll have a pretty good imitation of a Woods Open AIR Coop which should be fine in the winter time . when you rake your leaves in the in the fall throw your leaves in the bottom of the Run for the birds to walk on during the winter .
they may have lied to you about the size of the coop but you were smart enough to buy one with a roof on it. After these modifications The Coop plus the Run becomes your whole coop. Ta da !!!
Plenty of room for three Easter Eggers!!
If you feel you want more light in your run just screw a piece of heavy plexiglass to that upper right quarter panel next to where hubby is standing. window doesn't have to open because the end of the run is open wire.
Rosemarythyme has great suggestions.
Karen

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Oh this is an easy fix because you were smart and bought a coop with a roofed run. okay where's the door on the run ?is it on the end or on the side? doesn't matter. buy yourself some good plywood . put solid siding up on both open sides of the Run. leave the end open wire. if the door is on the side just put some wood over the door to cut the wind. okay niw you'll have a pretty good imitation of a Woods Open AIR Coop which should be fine in the winter time . when you rake your leaves in the in the fall throw your leaves in the bottom of the Run for the birds to walk on during the winter .
they may have lied to you about the size of the coop but you were smart enough to buy one with a roof on it. After these modifications The Coop plus the Run becomes your whole coop. Ta da !!!
Karen

X2..... this is the only way the space would be sufficient for your planned flock. Even birds raised together can succumb to the ugly effeects of overcrowding

 

[Cl2Abbeyrd]

If that picket fence stuff is what the run is being made out of, they are going to have issues. Easter Eggers need a covered run to keep them contained. They are freakishly smart houdini type birds that can clear 6 feet without even flapping their wings.

Thanks - i wondered about that. It's a 4 ft fence, and if we have issues I think we'll be covering it with some poultry netting to keep them in. If that starts to happen, we'll probably have to change plans and add a run!

 

[Cl2Abbeyrd]

Oh this is an easy fix because you were smart and bought a coop with a roofed run. okay where's the door on the run ?is it on the end or on the side? doesn't matter. buy yourself some good plywood . put solid siding up on both open sides of the Run. leave the end open wire. if the door is on the side just put some wood over the door to cut the wind. okay niw you'll have a pretty good imitation of a Woods Open AIR Coop which should be fine in the winter time . when you rake your leaves in the in the fall throw your leaves in the bottom of the Run for the birds to walk on during the winter .
they may have lied to you about the size of the coop but you were smart enough to buy one with a roof on it. After these modifications The Coop plus the Run becomes your whole coop. Ta da !!!
Plenty of room for three Easter Eggers!!
If you feel you want more light in your run just screw a piece of heavy plexiglass to that upper right quarter panel next to where hubby is standing. window doesn't have to open because the end of the run is open wire.
Rosemarythyme has great suggestions.
Karen

Thanks!! All these suggestions are making me feel MUCH better. All is not lost! Yes, the door is on the end - so I can easily add plywood or an extra run area or both.

The space is kind of nice because 90% of wind is blocked by the 6 ft fence, garage, and that VERY large tree (which also keeps that space relatively dry). I might try the plexi glass on the front part of the run so I can see in there!

 

[3riverschick]

Put the plexiglass as a part of the panel on the side .you want to leave the front wire open. that's where your ventilation comes from which makes this all possible. solid sides ,solid back, solid top, but the front end where the door is that stays open wire. that's what makes it like an open AIR Coop. Best,
Karen

 

[junebuggena]

I've got over 20 Easter Eggers at the moment. You would be amazed at how small a gap a 6 pound hen can squeeze through. Run fencing really needs to be reconsidered.

Thanks - i wondered about that. It's a 4 ft fence, and if we have issues I think we'll be covering it with some poultry netting to keep them in. If that starts to happen, we'll probably have to change plans and add a run!

Not just the height. The spaces between the pickets are too wide. At least one will find their way through. Seriously, they are houdinis of the bird world. I've got about 30 of them in my flock now. If there is a weakness in fencing, they will find it.

They easily clear 6 feet with little more than a delicate hop. They can squeeze through gaps in fencing you would swear they could not possibly fit through. I've given up trying to contain them. When they set their minds to something, they will find a way. I've got one that hasn't voluntarily laid in the nest boxes for over 2 years.
Easter Eggers are my absolute favorite, but if need to keep them confined to your yard, a covered run is a must.