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Aga n Chickens

Has anyone noticed a problem with the Cube sliding door ?

By Aga n Chickens, in Eglu Cube, Eglu Classic, Eglu Go, Eglu Go Up and Runs

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Aga n Chickens Frequent Layer

Aga n Chickens

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Hello to you all.

 

I (like many others joining the Forum) have been a keen reader and have picked up plenty of advice about looking after my chickens.

 

Today I have something to ask you and hope that someone can help.

 

Our cube arrived on the Thursday before Easter and we have been very pleased with it.

 

So far we have been able to leave the door open all day and night so that the chucks can rise with the larks and are safe in their run.

 

One of our Pepperpots has started her second broody session and we have to turf her out of the nest box when we return from work and make her join the others free ranging in the garden. If she knows that the cube door is still open she makes a dash for it and is back in the nest box in a flash.

 

If we are sure that the others have finished laying for the day we cut off her access by sliding the door over and trying to keep her distracted in the garden.

 

Now we have a problem...the twist mechanism inside the door does not always enguage so once the door is closed it is becomming increasingly difficult to slide open again.

 

Has anyone else had a similar problem ? Is it a design fault ?

 

I think that the door mechanism is integral to the front of the cube and inaccessible, so would you know if this is covered by Omlet under any warrenty ?

 

Kind regards

 

Christine

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Cinnamon Cocka-doodle-loopy

Cinnamon

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We have had problems with ours too, on & off, but now we just leave it open 24/7.

If we do close it,like when its clean out time as the little monkeys try to escape to raid my veggie bed via the egg port,I just have to remember not to twist the handle,then its fine 8)

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StephanieSB Frequent Layer

StephanieSB

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Mine just arrived today. As soon as I read your post, I realised the Omlet driver, Steve, never showed me how to open and close the door. I went right outside to test it out... yep, it was stuck!!

 

Couldn't close it without jiggles and twists for bit, then it chunked into place. Then I was unable to open it without another set of jiggle, twiggles and clunks. But after working it for a while, it's now opening and closing stiffly, but reliably.

 

He put it together rather quickly, though. And he said he was relatively new to assembling cubes (mostly had experience with Eglus), so I assume it's a matter of one or other screw or bolt not tightened enough or tightened too much.

 

Either way, it's annoying if nothing else. I am first going to have my very DIY handy spouse have a look at things -- oil something or whatever -- if that doesn't work, I will be calling Omlet as well.

 

I won't call now, though, as they are already dealing with a missing part I need for my run. They are so busy there, I'm taking a one thing at a time approach.

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StephanieSB Frequent Layer

StephanieSB

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Well mine is doing okay now. It was completely jammed again once more. I felt nervous about yanking it as hard as I had to to get it to move -- but now it is fine. Moves rather smoothly. I've opened and closed it over a dozen times to work out any kinks, and all seems well now. Probably just needed a good jiggle. But all is now well.

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StephanieSB Frequent Layer

StephanieSB

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Hoping that I'm not asking a stupid question, but the locking mechanism on the door involves you twisting the handle. You're not accidentally engaging that when you're closing and opening it are you?

 

Nope. Good question, as I said he forgot to even show me how it was done, so I didn't at first know about the twist. But I did figure it out, though -- but the jamming problem was there (for a while) even with the correct twist.

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mayflower Frequent Layer

mayflower

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I've had this problem too. To be honest, initially, I thought that the handle stayed 'stuck out' when closed, I did'nt realise until Hubby started closing the door that the handle went back in. Anyway...I'm rambling! Just to say that., lately the mechanism is a bit more difficult, and at one stage I imagined the hens staying in the cube all day!! At present, I leave the door open all night to prepare the hens when we go away for one night next week. But, when I do close the door, I just let the handle stick out. I hate that sick feeling when I'm unable to open the door!! :shock:

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Aga n Chickens Frequent Layer

Aga n Chickens

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Hello again

 

Good news !

 

James rang me this morning and we've arranged a date for someone to call and have a look at the problem.

 

Very prompt service from the staff at Omlet. :clap:

 

Even our 'broody' seems to have snapped out of this month's phase and was happily pecking around with the others this morning, so we can leave the door open all day again, until next time. :roll:

 

We've had 2 broody sessions with her in as many months so at least we can now prepare for the next one and find some kind of isolation pen so she doesn't disrupt the other 3.

 

Kind regards to you all

 

Christine

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StephanieSB Frequent Layer

StephanieSB

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James rang me this morning and we've arranged a date for someone to call and have a look at the problem.

 

That's great news. I hope to hear soon myself, as I emailed today as well. If you find out what is causing it before the rest of us (or is it just me??) get responses, please let us know!

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Louise Feathery Fanatic

Louise

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Hello again

 

Good news !

 

James rang me this morning and we've arranged a date for someone to call and have a look at the problem.

 

Very prompt service from the staff at Omlet. :clap:

 

Even our 'broody' seems to have snapped out of this month's phase and was happily pecking around with the others this morning, so we can leave the door open all day again, until next time. :roll:

 

We've had 2 broody sessions with her in as many months so at least we can now prepare for the next one and find some kind of isolation pen so she doesn't disrupt the other 3.

 

Kind regards to you all

 

Christine

 

Can you get a broody box made for her I have one which I had to use for one of mine when she kept doing this I only used it once 3 years ago and she hasn't done it since :lol:

 

There were some pictures of the box somewhere I will go and see if I can find them for you :?

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