church chooks Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 i guess i'm having an unfortunate time but.... I've had my eglu for 3 and a half weeks now, with three hybrid chickens from omlet. First of all one of them had worms - omlet happily sent me some free diatom to treat them though i bought flubenvet in the end. The bird with worms had clearly had her feathers trimmed around her vent - so someone had noticed she wasn't well before. Then i ordered a rain cover which came with one bungee missing - omlet happily sent me some more. i have rust forming on the run, around the door, and at the apex of the run. The plastic used to make the pink sections of the eglu has tiny little air bubbles in it, so that even though i've scrubbed it and disinfected it every week some sections look like they have blackheads! The glugs is particularly badly effected as every air bubble has gone black and is presumably harbouring dirt i can't shift. Tonight i have discovered that there are red mite in the eglu, even though i have taken the whole thing apart and scrubbed it in boiling water and disinfected it every week. And the girls have stopped laying regularly! Have i just had a string of bad luck or is this going to go on at this rate for all the time i have chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 17, 2006 Share Posted October 17, 2006 Crikey... you have been unlucky. Get on to Omlet and discuss everything with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Poor thing, you have been unlucky. The omlet plastic does get engrained dirt. I've never heard of rust in the eglu run before. The mites will stop the chickens laying. They usually live on wood. I press diatom on the ends of the bars to discourage them. I only clean the whole eglu every month or so, and just empty the tray, wipe the nest, and change the nesting material. I've had very few problems in nearly a year and the chickens are lovely and provide hours of entertainment and nice eggs. The forum is there for advice/support on anything and you can search the "stickies" for information. There is a 28 day return policy if you're really unhappy, but I wouldn't swap my chickens for the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura007 Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 cor blimey that is bad luck. get on the blower to omlet they should be able to help. ive had my first two chooks for 18 months and not had any problems. so i reckon you have been really unlucky here. hope it all goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 What a run of bad luck! I must say that my 7 hens have been relatively problem free, as has the Eglu. Please do discuss this with Omlet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Oh dear. You have had a run of it. I also had red mite (grrrr) and I found the best thing for it was poultryshield, which comes in a big bottle that you then dilute into a spray bottle. I've not used all that much of it, but I spray the bars and the joins of the eglu with it most weeks, and I haven't had a problem since. It also got rid of them completely from the wooden houses. Laying picked up massively once I got rid of the red mite. You should be all clear on the worms now anyway, and you'll have the flubenvet for the next time you need to worm the chooks. I'm just about to redo mine. And do chat to Omlet about the rust and the blackheads. My eglu also has those, I can shift them but it involves using the jet spray on the hose, which I can't do at the mo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 i The plastic used to make the pink sections of the eglu has tiny little air bubbles in it, so that even though i've scrubbed it and disinfected it every week some sections look like they have blackheads! The glugs is particularly badly effected as every air bubble has gone black and is presumably harbouring dirt i can't shift. You poor thing,you have been terribly unlucky First off,phone Omlet & tell them everything, especially about the hen with the trimmed feathers. it is important that they know there is a problem,& they are very helpful. Secondly,do you have a dishwasher? If you do,pop the Glug into it,& if you have an intensive cycle it should come up pretty much spotless I had this problem a few weeks ago,& this has sorted it. Pressure cleaning the Eglu will help shift the black pock marks too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Poor you, you haven't really had a lot of luck have you? Get on to Omlet, but don't give up chicken keeping-they're lovely really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley H Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 I know how you feel - My 2 arrived 16.09. Lily had a cold when she arrived and had to have antibiotics. They both had to be wormed. Flo is on death row...she is on antibiotics for possible microplasma??? and when i got back from the vets found her crawling with lice. great. I do love them dearly..,.don't give up. Personaly I think the problem is with a hen shortage which forced them to use other breeders. I hope we both get our problems sorted!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Sounds like you have had a run of rotten luck. My yellow eglu has tiny black pock marks: About the size of pin heads all over, which I pressure wash off every now and again. To be honest, I don't think anything which is going to spend its life outside with our climate is going to remain spotless forever,and so I am happy about this. Pressure washing brings it up like new. As regards the chickens, yes, I too would be fed up with the situation, but as aunty e points out, at least the worms should be gone, and you will see a return of eggs once the mites have gone too! I would speak to the Omlet guys about all of this, but especially the rust, as that simply is not right, and you should get a good response from them: They are a very good company, but often run off their feet. Do let us know how you get on, and I do hope that you are enjoying your chickens despite all this? Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley H Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Do let us know how you get on, and I do hope that you are enjoying your chickens despite all this?Best wishes Oh my goodness yes - one thing for sure is that I never want to be without chickens!!! They are wonderful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 I think you definitely get onto Omlet about the chickens they're supplying. Especially if you've had to worm them/give antibiotics to them within the month. Especially as they're supposed to give you fit and healthy birds with the eglu from a reputable breeder. If they can't find a better supplier in my opinion they shouldn't supply them with hens and let you find your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
church chooks Posted October 19, 2006 Author Share Posted October 19, 2006 here's the update - and a much happier chook owner omlet are sending me some red mite powder I had a bit already and so now it looks rather like an explosion in an icing sugar factory they said that the air bubbles in the plastic are normal - which is fine, i think i was just getting a bit paranoid after the last few weeks. they have said email them some photos of the rust and we will take it from there i don't really mind what the answer is, it might be that i've noticed a bit that's normal, but it will be nice to know. so, one very happy chicken owner again All i need now are some eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 So glad to hear things are sorted and you are feeling ok about it all, im sure the eggs will come in time. Omlet are really fab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Glad you are feeling happier now, sounds like you were very unlucky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHen Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Oh you were so unlucky - I was feeling very down as I read your first message. Hang on it there - there is only one way now and that's up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
church chooks Posted October 20, 2006 Author Share Posted October 20, 2006 having covered everything that moves with mite powder, and had an egg today i'm feeling much happier from eveyone's response and from the reaction at omlet i know i've just been really really unlucky i do love my chickens - i'm going to order some poultry shield tomorrow. i'll also buy lots of tomatoes as they are the girls favourite food thanks for the encouragement - I just needed to moan! All happy now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Glad to hear it - that's what the forum is for ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
