Noodle Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 Hi everyone I have been searching endlessly for the past couple of weeks to find a solution for my girlies. Since our fox attack, and Tattis very very lucky escape, my girls have only been able to free range a couple of times. I have therefore decided to give them permenant home in our garden with enough space and entertainment so that they will not miss free ranging - although I am sure there is no real substitute I have spent hours looking for a solution from metal frames, to diy construction, and electric fencing. Initially, I wanted something I could walk into, but as I have a small garden, it would be quite overbearing and at the end of the day, the girls need the entertainment more than I need to be in the run with them. By the time I have finished, I will have spent quite alot of money and now wonder whether I should just buy a cube with the extention. This way the girls will have the space and I will be able to add some perches etc for them. Would be very grateful for your comments Thanks Noodle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 GO FOR IT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 not sure I can really help, but I have had the same debate going on (inside my head, as it's only me who has to make the decision! ) I am going to buy a Cube in the spring, to amalgamate my two little flocks into one, and maybe add a couple more chooks. (Just so that I can get the Cube assembled by Omlet, you understand!) I was thinking of building a permanent run, and comparing the cost of the Cube with a run and an extension or two, with those pre-made panels off Ebay, which is what I'd go for, then a permanent run is not much more. If you have DIY skills, then you could make your own much more cheaply. However if I have a permanent run, it will mean sacrificing a bit of the garden indefinitely. I'd want to butt it up against a fence, and I have shrubs growing along all the fences. I can't decide where I'd put it. I also feel that even though I have a largeish garden it would dominate the view. Also, I like the idea of being able to move the Cube and run around from time to time. For example, I've moved my Eglus nearer to the house for winter - not so far to go on a cold morning, and I can keep an eye on them more easily. Finally, I've seen the Eglu's fox-proofing in action; yes, I know it's not 100% but so far the fox has not managed to get my girls despite trying! If I bought another run, I would worry about security. That's not to say that DIY or pre-made runs are not secure, I'm sure they can be; but I feel very confident about the Omlet run. So, decision made for me - Cube + run in the spring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodle Posted December 2, 2007 Author Share Posted December 2, 2007 You sound like you have been having the same conversation in your head as me Olly. I have spent the afternoon boring my OH, but most of my searching has been done on my own. My OH has no real motivation to sort this out himself and keeps on talking about getting someone in to build something which will be very costly. I also have issue with putting a permenant run against the fence and having to lose some of my garden...altho there is little left now the chooks have had a go at it all If I sell my eglu and run and get a decent price, I suppose it makes it more bearable and I could introduce a couple more girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 If I did go for a permanent run, I'd get something like Jay (xscrunchee) has got - I believe she bought it off Ebay and the guy delivered it and erected it. However I've made my decision, and Dan's photo and comment below are reassuring. You should get a good price for your Eglu - that will go halfway towards a Cube and run! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodle Posted December 3, 2007 Author Share Posted December 3, 2007 I agree, Dans girls look very very content. I have looked into Jays run at some length, I agree it is fantastic but my instinct goes with the cube....I think It is doubtful whether I will get anymore chooks though.........the girls are making such a racket this morning, the neighbours will be complaining soon Thanks for your comments....out comes the tape measure again!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Just to say I have a cube with a run plus extension and if you've just got the three girls it will be plenty of room, especially if you put perches in and logs for them to stand on. It's neat, it's easy to clean and if you sell your eglu it should really help out with the cost. Now you just have to choose a colour! I balked a bit at the price to start with until I started working out the price of a wooden house and run plus feeders, perches, drinkers etc and it's not much more plus you get all the added bonus of ease of management. Anyway, look forward to pictures once you've made your mind up! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 I think that Cube + extension is your best option. I have 6 girls in mine, which I think would be too many if they were in there all the time, but there would be plenty of room for 3. The Cube really is brilliant - much easier to clean out etc than the Eglu and also easy to move around - and at least you would know that your girls will be as safe as it is possible to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 The cube and run is great...easy to clean and it has lots of space to put perches, etc. I have 6 girls in a cube with two extensions but four of my girls are larger breeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonie Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Cube, cube, cube!! My three girls with an extension are very happy, they do free range aswell, but we are going away for a week over christmas and i'm happy with the space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodle Posted December 3, 2007 Author Share Posted December 3, 2007 Cube, cube, cube!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 I'd go for the cube if you can afford it. I had a mark one eglu pretty early on (about 4 and a half years ago I think) and got my cube earlier this year. I dont' have an Omlet run for the Cube, just a fenced area. But so far I had been lucky with foxes (I'm not going to start on my theories about keeping them away as you have all heard far too much about that already!). I still have my eglu plus run, inside the fenced run, in case I need to isolate anyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 The Cube is superior in every way to the Eglu, and I would very much like a second one. It is a much better use of space, it gives the hens more exercise because of the jumping required, and best of all foxes are very unlikely to lie on top of it and rats can't nest underneath it. And you can have large hens. I used to keep large hens in the Eglu run, but they couldn't stretch because the roof was so low. The Cube run is airy and spacious and lighter; the Eglu run is like a tunnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodle Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 Having see your setup on another thread, I have always wondered how you managed to stay fox free Richard. I must say I am very envious that you can let your range as you do. I am still dithering, I thought I had made up my mind until I saw http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16801 today and now I am not sure again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Having see your setup on another thread, I have always wondered how you managed to stay fox free Richard. I must say I am very envious that you can let your range as you do. Mine free range all the time basically. the run will keep the orps in, but the others just fly out when they feel like it, and back in when they want to. Luckily I haven't had any fox trouble in the last 4 years (hopefully that isn't tempting fate). I don't have anything special to keep them away, but I do use the rural method (male urine round the run - luckily my garden isn't overlooked!). We do have a few laughs when mine get where they shouldn't. they've stripped out all the lettuce and spinach from the veg garden, which is annoying. But this morning Trinny was on the top of the shed and was panicking as to how to get down. Daisy got on the top of the summerhouse - and Liz takes up residence on a six foot high brick post I have in the garden (the remains of a pergola!). what fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 I just caught up with this thread. I am another one who has been debating about getting a bigger run for the same reasons as others. I fell in love with Jay's set up the first time she posted a pic. I think she told me it was £400 but included a man building it for you. Whereas the Cube is, gulp, a lot of money. But there are other considerations. I find the Eglu difficult to clean, I have rheumatoid arthritis and bending down can be painful somedays also I find the Eglu roof too heavy for me to lift by myself, I also find changing the run flooring difficult as you have to sort of throw it through the Eglu door to get it right up to the back. The Cube sounds much easier to clean and putting down new flooring must be a breeze. Oh what to do? I need to have a lottery win, but I never buy a ticket Is there any part of a Cube that is heavy to lift or move or needs you to get in awkward positions to clean it Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 I Is there any part of a Cube that is heavy to lift or move or needs you to get in awkward positions to clean it Tessa Um. the back unbolts and hinges off, and its a bit of a lump - but it is at a better height as you don't have to bend down. The poo trays come out easily - again you don't have to bend down to do them. It is heavy to put together so you would want someone to do it for you. I didn't get the cube run - mine just sits inside my fenced chicken area. that cuts the cost down - but you have to have an area for them and fencing isn't cheap. Mind you, for all the notice my girls take of the fencing, I might as well just have nothing - they are up and over it as the fancy takes them (but not the Orps - they can't get over anything!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Richard wrote: Um. the back unbolts and hinges off, and its a bit of a lump - but it is at a better height as you don't have to bend down. The poo trays come out easily - again you don't have to bend down to do them. Thanks Richard. Is there anybody with experience of both the Cube and the Eglu, who can tell me if the back of the Cube is heavier to lift than the roof of the Eglu? Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Having played around with a cube and owning an eglu, I would say that the cube back is lighter than the eglu lid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 The cube is definitely easier, slightly lighter, but a much better shape to get hold of ergonomically. I always struggled with the eglu lid - too bulky and no easy hand hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Richard wrote: Um. the back unbolts and hinges off, and its a bit of a lump - but it is at a better height as you don't have to bend down. The poo trays come out easily - again you don't have to bend down to do them. Thanks Richard. Is there anybody with experience of both the Cube and the Eglu, who can tell me if the back of the Cube is heavier to lift than the roof of the Eglu? Tessa Yep - I have both and in my opinion the Cube is easier - the back is a better shape, better height to get hold of it, and I would say that the back of the Cube is a bit lighter than the Eglu lid, although I haven't weighed it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 i would say that the back of the Cube is lighter than the Eglu roof and it's much easier to deal with too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 This is all v.helpful. Ok one last question about the Cube. I am not a tall woman 5'2 and a half Would it be easy for someone my size to lift it? Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 I'm a towering 5'6" weakling and it is absolutely no problem for me (when I can get the sand out of my eyes) - I wouldn't think you'll have any problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Richard wrote: I'm a towering 5'6" weakling and it is absolutely no problem for me (when I can get the sand out of my eyes) - I wouldn't think you'll have any problem. Thanks for this Charles Atlas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
