Space Chick Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Hi All, Post number 3 from me, and I keep nagging for advice! I read the forum and see that so many people get the Eglu first but then upgrade to the Cube. I'm wondering whether I should just shell out (no pun intended) the extra and buy the cube first as last. Initially I am looking at getting 3 girls, but they will have to be in the run when I am in work, and free range when I get home, so they will spend more time in the run than out. (Nasty Mr Fox has been in mine and my neighbours garden) I'm worried they won't have enough space in the Eglu run. Also people seem to start with a few and increase the numbers, so if I get the cube I know that I can get at least another 3 girls with no issues. So I have a few questions: 1. Is the cube worth it? 2. Does the cube take up much more garden space? 3. Is the cube as easy to clean to as the Eglu? 4. Would it be a problem if my girls were used to the space and then I added a few more in? 5. What other advice would you give a novice like me!? Thankyou, everyone I speak to in the chicken community (both here and in the outside world) are so friendly and helpful, so just wanted to say I appreciate the support as a newcomer! Can't wait to have my girls now! So will probably be buying either the eglu or the cube tomorrow! Woo Hoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Hi Debs! Dont worry about the questions it better to ask them! Like you I wanted and ordered an eglu and 3 girls, but in the end it had changed to a cube and 6 I have also have a eglu in readiness for more girls! In reality I dont think they take up much more space. But the amount of girls is largely governed by the amount of run space you have. With 3 girls if the are going to be run bound most of the time as mine are, it might be better with an eglu to get a run extension. Also with a cube if you have the space, make the run as big as you can it's better for them all round. I have a cube with standard run and 2 extension for my 6, I started off with only 1 extension, but it was obvious more space was needed...... Is there anyone you can go and visit near you? Then you could see first hand the space needed.! I think that you will want more girls once you've got the chicken bug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 The cube is definitely worth it! I find that they do appreciate the extra height of the cube run - you can add perches and things which keeps them more occupied than if they were in a plain run. Also the cube is easier to clean out because it's at waist height. The only thing I preferred about the eglu was it's looks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 Thankyou both. All advise gratefully received! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 1. Is the cube worth it? Yes 2. Does the cube take up much more garden space? Not massively. It is a bit wider, but unless you are very pushed for space, it won't be an issue. You have to be aware that the door opning mechanism and the pop hole are on opposite sides, so you need probably 1m clearance round each side. 3. Is the cube as easy to clean to as the Eglu? Easier in my experience. No bending. 4. Would it be a problem if my girls were used to the space and then I added a few more in? You would be ill advised to just bung some new hens in with the established ones. They will need phasing in gradually. Article here.**Click** 5. What other advice would you give a novice like me!? Keep asking questions and have a read of the Frequently Asked Questions section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Hi I know you have already have had responses but thought I would give my "tuppence" worth. 1. Is the cube worth it? I would say definetely yes! I started with a and three girls, then brought a second hand to get more girls but then OH said why not and WIR? Although I am still doing introductions at the moment and have a and in use I think the £416 spent on the cube is well worth it and can`t wait to put my into storage. I didn`t buy the cube run as I didn`t need it and I think this is where you start adding £. We built a 10ft x 9ft x 5.5ft WIR for less than the cost of the cube run. 2. Does the cube take up much more garden space? It depends how many extentions to the run you add. Be aware that you need to access the cube from the back for the poop trays and both sides for the door handle and the egg port whereas the eglu only needs access from the back and one side. Their footprints can be found here: http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Eglu%20Cube&about=secure%20run&rolling_image_id=3 http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Chickens&about=the%20run&rolling_image_id=3 3. Is the cube as easy to clean to as the Eglu? I much prefer cleaning my . I find the top of the a bit too big to move about but then I am only little. Also I move the whole to wash it so that the chooks area doesn`t get sodden. The Eglu is low down and beware of wet knees whilst you are washing, lol. The cube is on wheels so I just pull is back a bit, take of the back and wash it with the added bonus of being able to stand whilst I do it. 4. Would it be a problem if my girls were used to the space and then I added a few more in? You would need to do any introductions slowly ideally with seperate accomodation for the newbies. There are Omleteers on here who hire out their spare Eglus for about a tenner a week (but this differs between different people). Some more traditional chook keepers would tell you just to put the newbies in with the existing girls at night and let them sort it but having worked on a farm with a little chook flock I have to say this can be an very unpleasant experience. I have been following the intro advice available on the forum and am 15 days into introductions and all is looking good. The newbies spent 7 days in the eglu and run with the Orps free ranging about, then three days of supervised free-ranging together and now they are all outside sunbathing together and will be until I put them to bed. They are still sleeping in seperate houses although Snowball has wandered up the cube ladder to bed for the last two nights and I have oiked her out and put her back in the eglu. 5. What other advice would you give a novice like me!?Whatever you decide just go for it, u will love it!!! Oh and we like a picture or seven on here so make sure you have your camera charged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 hi I agree with all the above... I dithered for 2 years then rang omlet to purchase and eglu , but was still thinking it may be false economy. Omlet were really good and didnt try to sell me either just gave me pros and cons. Basically when u go on ebay and see the amount of eglus up for sale as people usually end up with a cube. So my cube is coming 14th April as like u i wanted 3 chickens(but am now having 4) and yes in the future I really fancy a couple of pure breeds to LOOK at. I think you have answered the question yourself really but it is a lot of money to be forking out so u want to get it right. You sound just like i did ..unsure. I like palmer ordered the basic cube and am building my own run(another subject..lots of threads on here) But def go to see them..there are lots of people out there with both types ...I think the eglu is good for intros so one day I may also get one of those hope that helps I am a owner pending indie999 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 You've all been a great help - thankyou. Thats decided it, I'm going for the cube! Expect several more questions over the coming weeks.....!! For example - which are the best layers with the friendliest personalities (have 2 small god children who can't wait for the chooks!) From reading into several sites, and getting advice from a local small holding suppliers I'm thinking of Warrens, Black Rocks, Miss Pepperpots or Rhode Island Reds (Can't get Ginger Nut Rangers where I life!). Sound like a good bet? I'd like ones that look quite different to help with names! So may go for a mixture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Yay! A cube! Brilliant. the biggest question is WHAT COLOUR!!!!!! I mixture is always good then you can tell them apart and may get different coloured eggs. Soooooooooo get one of each! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 My hubby wants a green cube - kind of a traditional guy! I like the green one too - although I'm always partial to Blue too! What breed of hens lay unusual coloured eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Colour Question ..u will start us all off on here as its got to be the best choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 What part of the world are you in? Have you checked out the breeders in your surrounding area? The colour of the egg is guided by the colour of their ears! But on the whole a white chook will lay an almost white egg and a skyline/columbine lay a blue/green egg. I cant remember what lays a white egg but think that they are pure breeds rathers than hybrids. Someone else will be along shortly I am sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggienator Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 After extensive research OH and I decided on Ambers (Hybrid with good egg production). Went to the breeders and came away with two gorgeous Daisy Belles . They were just the nicest hens when we went. They are now lovely and friendly having been talked to and handled a fair bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
