sheik Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 We have just started keeping chickens in a newly built run, and decided to raise the Eglu up now that we can. The first day I only raised the Eglu by one brick, just to get it off the ground, but our smallest bantam decided to set up camp underneath and wouldn't go inside to bed with the others - we had to lift up the whole Eglu to shift her. As you can see, the current height is three bricks, which has the benefit that all of them can easily walk underneath it or use it as an extra sheltered area, although I've removed the bark from underneath to try and discourage them from laying there. I've got the bricks supporting the Eglu on each corner, and it seems pretty stable. I did make a small ramp for them to get inside, although I'm sure they could have easily jumped up. There is no problem with them not going to bed now by the way, after the first night I think they've realised it's much warmer in there! Is there any reason to go any higher do you think? It might be a bit low for full grown chickens to get underneath, although I'm not sure. So, if you've raised your Eglu, how high did you lift it? Thanks, /\dam P.S. We bought the bark before reading all the aubiose threads - we'll be replacing it with an aubiose-like material over the coming weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hi ya, We got our eglu just on the hemcore, not raised up at all. I personally wouldn't have bothered raising it up, your run looks nice and secure for them with plenty of space. I know that some people on here have built big platforms coming out from a wall with a ladder going up and then put the eglu on there which looks quite good, but quite alot higher. Suppose it's trial and error at end of day. I think yours looks nice as is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Looks good....is it quite secure though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheik Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Looks good....is it quite secure though? Do you mean the run, or the supported Eglu? The run is made by Aviaries4u, I think quite a few people on here have the same type. We asked Tony to put a mesh floor on ours too. The Eglu doesn't wobble on the bricks, and I've bashed it a bit to check it won't fall off. It would be horrible if that happened while a chicken was underneath... The bricks are just loose though, I haven't cemented them together or fixed them to the Eglu. You've got me thinking now though. I might cut a piece of MDF to go between the bricks and the Eglu, that should make it even more stable. /\dam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I meant the supported Eglu. The run looks fab. I hope you didn't mind me asking the question......I would hate for an unexpected wobble to cause chook to be hurt though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheik Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Of course I don't mind, your posts on this forum are incredibly helpful! /\dam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Phew!......and thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 when we had the 2 eglus hubby built purpose built platform to put them on. It was easy to make and sturdy, chooks used to love sitting under it aswell when it was windy/raining (even though we have a roof on our run ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Very nice chelsea i have a wooden homemade coop which is high i would have thought the higher the better for cleaning an eglu out surely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My eglu is also quite high off the ground - much easier for me when cleaning and the girls love to sit together underneath it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 yes the eglu's are much easier to lift when they are already off the ground. my lot love to make dust baths underneath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 your run looks good, how much does one like that cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheik Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Do you mean my run? I think the base price was about the same as an Eglu - but extras such as mesh floor, guttering etc put it up a bit. /\dam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 How do you clean your grub and glug? They look like they are nailed down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheik Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 How do you clean your grub and glug? They look like they are nailed down! Heh, they are not nailed down . I blatantly ripped off the design from one of the more handy forum members, although unfortunately I don't know the link offhand. If I can find it I will post it as the person included close up photos of how it worked. Basically, at the weekend I drilled vertically down through the Glug/Grub hooks, and inserted a bolt through each hole. This means that you have spikey bits coming out of them, pointing to the ground. These can then be inserted into holes that I drilled into the horizontal piece of wood. So, each container can be lifted out and put back in as easily as putting a plug in a plug socket (OK, this isn't quite true, as I'm rubbish at DIY, so you do have to jiggle it a bit ) /\dam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strepsy Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 It looks really nice. Is there much room to get the poo tray out though? I whip mine out every morning, would think it might be awkward if there wasn't room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheik Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Is there much room to get the poo tray out though? No, there's not . Currently I have to lift the lid off, then lift the Eglu off to remove the tray (unless there's two of us doing it, in which case it's easy). Not sure what we'll do about this yet. An obvious thing would be to move the Eglu out from the back wall, but that won't look as good. We've only had the chickens since Saturday though, so I'm sure we'll come up with a solution with a bit of trial and error! /\dam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Do you mean my run? I think the base price was about the same as an Eglu - but extras such as mesh floor, guttering etc put it up a bit. /\dam might be something to think about, I could have my eglu & run attatched to it we have lots of room then I could have more chickens and they could sort of free range in safety. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 That run looks great, Sheik (or should I say great sheiks ) Perhaps if you built a more permanent (and maybe higher) platform for your gorgeous purple eglu ( ), you could have it half way along the long side of the run to give you room to get to the poo tray? (Just ignore me if you've got plans already . ) Another idea, have you seen the setups where the eglu is outside the run? It means you have to cut a hole in your mesh (bit scary ) but makes for very easy access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I have my eglu on a sturdy shelf at worktop height (the mezzanine) and have featherboarded round the sides underneath it so that the girls have a dry and sheltered area to scratch and dustbathe in. They have been jolly glad of it these past few days. The run is 6 ft by 9 ft and the mezzanine in 6ft by 3ft so give that bit more space as well as the shelter. The back and side of the open space beside the eglu has sheets of perspex to give that a bit of shelter as well and I will put some perches and a holder for another grub & glug there when I get some more time. I also made a hinged flap at the back so I can get to the poop tray easily from outside the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 VERY impressive flap Rona!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phonix Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 wow! that is really thoughtfu. v impressive! Stacey x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Rona, that looks Fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 That is one lovely run Rona, some really good ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 genius flap idea Rona! very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...