4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Sammy]

I'm going to be getting myself a Cube, Run and 3 chickens in a couple of months but not sure about what to do with regards to a run?

 

I was considering getting a Omlet run 2m + 1m extension or not sure whether to build our own purpose built walk-in run.

 

What I'm not sure on is how easy is it to clean the front of the Cube and clean inside the run when attached - I'm assuming the Omlet run needs to be disconnected and if so how easy/difficult is this to do. I'm also not sure how easy it is to gain access to the Omlet run to place food and water.

 

Any advice on how to handle the use, movement and cleaning inside the run and front of the Cube with the run connected or whether a purpose built run would work better would be very welcome! Thanks.

[Redwing]

I don't have a cube so can't really comment on the ease of using one with a WIR however I would say that a WIR may increase the number of chickens you can keep

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I don't have a cube either but here are my thoughts anyway . I think all cubes now come with a larger sized door so it's a bit easier to get into the run (if you're small or have a willing child ) and to hang the feeders up too. I suppose if you can get through the door, it would be easy enough (if a bit sore on the back ) to rake out the run. If you plan to move the cube about, then you could clean the run easily. As for the cube door, I don't think that gets particularly dirty as it's not on the ground so you shouldn't have to worry about cleaning it often at all.

 

Having recently upgraded from an eglu run to a walk in run, I have to say I love it. It gives your chickens so much more space and you can add all sorts of hentertainment to it . I'd say if you have the knowhow (or the money to buy one readymade) go straight to a WIR. You'd almost certainly hanker after one after a while and as Redwing says, you're bound to want more chickens sooner rather than later . Put the cost of an Omlet run towards a WIR and you're part way there .

[DominicJ]

The Cube Run with extention costs £265.

 

I can certainly see why it costs that much, and dont think its a case of blatant robbery, I just think for that much, I could do something much different, much bigger, and as safe, using something like THIS on a timber frame

[Jules.]

WIR

 

When I was buying my cube last summer I drove hubby demented about whether or not to get an Omlet run or build a WIR.

[Guest]

HI I just got a alone much more cost effective. I did go to visit an omleter and they had the full size cube run inside a low fencing run...if i had surplus money i would probably have got it at the time but didnt and couldnt justify the outlay

 

So i am glad now i didn t as i made my own WIR a roll of weldmesh 30meters is approx £50+ (Hills of Devon are recommended) get a few posts and cover the top with ie more weldmesh lots of roof panel options.

 

I made my own semi WIR and you could make something surely for a lot less & giving them more room too

 

I dont think the omlet run is that great to justify the extra cost(You could get an eglu too for intros for the price of the run etc etc)

 

Good luck there is a thread at the top of this section on a variety of custom and bought avaiaries etc

so have a look

indie

[poachedegg]

We have a cube and a few extensions - for us the deciding factor was what a WIR would look like in our small garden.The WIR would dominate whereas the cube and runs blend in nicely!

[chelsea]

I like both but for me the WIR was the best thing we did. Full height door, lots more head height for the hens (for perches etc), and with a proper roof (keeps down the wet in winter) and saves money on aubiose as you are not replacing it so often. I dont feel so guilty with the WIR run either.

 

The good thing r.e the cube run is that it's transportable and moveable, so if you are likely to go on holiday and take your hens to sitters - the cube run may be a better option.

[MaggieMcHen]

I had run and two extensions on my Cube but have now gone for a WIR 24' by 12' so that if I can't let the girls out they still have oodles of room to wander, scratch, hop up on perches and genreally chill without getting stressed. I would go for home made/bought WIR any day - except perhaps for the cosmetic effect - over the Omlet one. Having said that I shall be using it within the WIR if/when I get a broody to make her a sectioned off bit with an eglu in the door way.