Warm boot recommendations please

[Millihelen]

I love the style of the eglu, but in the end went for the cube mainly for the ease of cleaning - no bending. I thought it would be straightforward to move around, having wheels, but it is actually a bit unwieldly. I can just about manage it on my own, as long as I don't mind too much where it finally ends up!! Also if you make it a two person job, you have to watch the other person doesn't drop it on your toes!

 

Our 4 girls rarely stay in within the cube run, though I am trying to leave them in a bit more often as they'll have to stay in most days when we go on holidays. Mostly they free range in their own bit of garden which we've fenced off with omlet chicken wire.

They roam around the rest of the garden whenever they manage to "escape" or if OH lets them out!

At least one of them manages to "escape" each day, usually two of them, but very rarely all of them - but they nearly always find their own way back through the chicken wire at dusk.

 

Incidentally the reason for the chicken wire enclosure is the amount of destruction they do to the lawn! They are all Miss Pepperpots. My son's school has Miss Pepperpots and another breed (not sure what - but bigger) and the difference in their enclosures is amazing - the Miss Pepperpots' is an absolute mess while the other is lovely and green!

[Hen Watch]

If money was no object I would say cube. But I do LOVE my eglu.

 

Mine don't have a strict routine and they are fine. I work 2 days a week so in Winter they are in the run all day (different in Summer when they get a long evening to play out). But I do have a run coverter which gives them an extra 1m on the standard eglu run. So it is quite long, but I still love it.

 

[atsw]

I like the Eglu, because there is nothing else quite like it. It looks so fab in the garden, but seems to blend in so well too.

 

As others have said, once you start with chickens, there's no going back. We started with two (Omlet) chooks in 2005. When we lost them to a fox we immediately(like the next day!) went out and got three new girls (3 standard red hens). We still have three girls to this day (2 x Buff Orps, 1 x standard red hen) and even though the two Orps are big girls there's plenty of room for them all in the Eglu at night, they love to cuddle up.

 

I'm getting a walk-in run next Friday (see pictures here). The plan is for the Eglu to live inside the run. In time I'd like to add another two or three chooks. Might have to consider a Cube at that point, but for now everyone (chooks and humans alike) are very happy with the Eglu.

 

Andrew

[nikplus]

It depends on how much space you have and how long your birds will be spending in the enclosure. I bought a Cube as I knew they would have fairly long days in there as I work long hours, but even though I was only keeping 3 in it, when it was rated to take up to 6 they made a terrible mess of the ground (mainly digging big trenches) and always looked a bit frantic and trapped. I felt very guilty. So I wouldn't recommend a traditional Eglu, personally, unless they are going to get a fair amount of time out and about free ranging.

 

I have now built a big walk-in run (12ft x 8ft) that the body of the Cube sits in, without the run area attached. The chickens are so much happier as a result. They seem more relaxed and far more content. I've also put in some logs for them to climb on and a load of rocks from the back of the garden so they can climb and perch. (see http://tinyurl.com/ahscpx)

 

So my recommendation would be a Cube and, if you can, buy it without the run attachment and place it inside a walk-in run.

 

Sorry if that confuses matters.

 

If you really can't afford a Cube right now, then go for the Eglu and sell it when you can afford to upgrade to the Cube. They keep their value fairly well.

[Chillicat]

CUBE, CUBE, CUBE

I started off with a Cube and 5 hens and wish I'd got 10 hens.....coulda......shoulda

Then I got an Eglu as we hatched some chicks with a broody hen so had to keep them separate

I have to say that I much prefer cleaning out the Cube ...... lots of bending down with the Eglu

Like everyone says, you will want more chickens.

The main thing is that you've already chosen Omlet over wooden housing, so whatever you decide, you won't regret it.

Good luck and we like pics.....lots of them!

[abwsco]

If you've the room for more than 4 chickens go for either a cube, a converted shed or wooden coop. We converted a shed as we started off with 6 exbatts. I am saving up for a cube but the reports of leaking cubes are putting me off.

[tania]

Okay decision made and chickens (2 Gingernut's and 1 Miss Pepperpot) arriving on Tuesday...hurrah . Have gone for an Eglu in the end. We just decided that we would start off with this and see how we go. Outlay not too expensive that way and we can get our leaking roof fixed as well! Thanks so much to everyone for the advice it was really helpful. Photos will be along as soon as the girls arrive.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Well done . I'm really happy with my eglu and I'm sure you'll love yours too . What colour did you choose?

[atsw]

Yes, well done indeed . The Eglu's are fab, and dead easy to keep clean. 10mins at most to clear the poo tray and re-set the nesting area with your chosen bedding. My top tip for the poo tray would be to line it with a sheet of newspaper, makes for even less effort (and therefore more time to watch the chooks ).

 

Andrew

[nikplus]

reports of leaking cubes are putting me off.

 

I read reports about this before buying mine, so was a little worried, but went ahead anyway. I've not had any problem, though. No sign of dampness in either the main section or the nesting box, leaving me with three very happy, snug hens.

[Clash City Rocker]

I've had both, Eglu and Cube. If you're lucky enough to get a Cube which doesn't leak then it's fine, if you get a Cube that leaks (like mine) then it's miserable. My advice would be Eglu every time.

[Moggie]

I have had an eglu and 3 chickens for three months now, and they seem very happy. One option if you would prefer to go for the eglu is to invest in a run extension, which is very good value. The woman I spoke to at Omlet advised me that 3 chickens would be fine in an eglu run + extension permanently (it gives them 1m squared per chicken). Mine get free-ranging time a few times a week when I'm at home, but otherwise they're in the run all the time.

One thing to bear in mind is that although the Cube itself is bigger, the Cube run is not that much bigger than the Eglu run (I think - others may correct me). There's extra height which is convenient for you, but I don't think the floor area is significantly different.

My eglu and 3 chooks works well for me; my garden space prohibits getting more girls, but my growing addiction is satiated (for now!) with looking at all the lovely pictures on here!

 

The footprint is more or less the same, but don't forget the chooks can walk underneath the actual house so have more floor space

[Moggie]

Okay decision made and chickens (2 Gingernut's and 1 Miss Pepperpot) arriving on Tuesday...hurrah . Have gone for an Eglu in the end. We just decided that we would start off with this and see how we go. Outlay not too expensive that way and we can get our leaking roof fixed as well! Thanks so much to everyone for the advice it was really helpful. Photos will be along as soon as the girls arrive.

 

Good choice, £600 is an awful lot of money to outlay on an unknown quantity. I've had my 2 chooks for 2 years now and haven't wanted more, the reason I want more now is that ours don't lay as much now and I hate having to buy eggs! I'm probably going to upgrade, but it's a tought decision and I'm still not sure. I love the Eglu, it's so cool and different.

[tania]

Went for a one, I was tempted by the lilac but got cold feet so went with something that would blend in a bit more. Still hanker after a 'funky' colour though!