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

[Kit]

Hi All

 

Shall I or shall I not trade my 10 month old pink eglu in for a cube?

 

Currently I have 3 hens but I would like 1 or 2 more and I know it is hard work introducing more hens that is why I have not done it so far.

 

My girls free range nearly every day but less so during winter. Do you think that the standard cube run is big enough for 3 girls when they are locked in all day when not freeranging..(thinking ahead for winter or very wet days)?

 

Kit

[craftyhunnypie]

I think they actually have more running round room in an eglu run. The cube run is more head room to me. The ladder takes up a portion of the run, although they do duck under it. I prefer the eglu to the cube any day. However, my chooks love their cube.

 

Emma.x

[The Dogmother]

Personally I'd always buy a cube with the extension on the run. Much more room.

 

If you can afford to hang onto your eglu for a couple of weeks after you buy the cube, then you can use the eglu for introductions, then sell it.

[Kit]

Good idea claret.....

 

Kit

[poachedegg]

I would definitely consider getting the extension if you were going to go for a cube - it looks much better, more balanced.

 

Gone on....you won't regret it!

 

PS You are quite welcome to come and look at mine (cube + 2 extensions = 4metres in all) - though I don't have all the space you have in your gaden - ours is just a postage stamp!

[Jules.]

I had cube envy too last year

[Kit]

Poachedegg I may take up your offer, thank you very much.

 

I blame the Jamsons for my cube envy and the chicken boarder that my hens went to when we were away. My girls were in a cube with no extension and the space tbh looked too small for them.

 

Think I will just have to take the plunge one day and order one...will procrastinate a bit longer for now.

 

It's the introductions that I am not sure about.

 

Kit

[poachedegg]

We've done introductions twice now and if you kept your eglu whilst doing it, it isn't so bad.

 

Don't let the intros put you off getting some more, done properly, it's fine - I wouldn't mind popping over and gving you a hand if needed.

 

Talking about the Jamsons - they're getting their next week aren't they? Carol and I are doing the Starlight Walk tonight.......should be fun.

[Kit]

oooooooooh la la Poached Egg your offer sounds very tempting indeed...thank you very much.

 

Will contact Omlet today to see how long it takes for cube to arrive. I am off for 6 weeks from 5th Aug and don't return to work until mid Sept so that would be an ideal time to do it.

 

Kit

[Cooks]

Personally I'd always buy a cube with the extension on the run. Much more room.

 

If you can afford to hang onto your eglu for a couple of weeks after you buy the cube, then you can use the eglu for introductions, then sell it.

this is what I did, and it worked out great, although I was sad to see my eglu go if I am honest, I love my cube and wouldn't go back to an eglu, but the eglu would have been handy to keep for sickness bay/intro's *ahem* etc.. ahh well maybe I will pick up another at some point..

[The Dogmother]

I ended up keeping my eglu for just that purpose, it has probably paid for itself now in loans and holiday accommodation though.

[alih]

Kit, I am not too far from you and agree with all that has been said but especially with you when you say summer hols would be a great time to go for it.I have a cube with 2 extensions like poached and you are more than welcome to come and see it if poached is away/ unavailable. I also have a green eglu which am happy to lend you if you have to get rid of your pink one to fund the cube - they are expensive devils!!

 

I have done intros twice, once with ex bats. It took a few weeks but is always fine in the end, though I did the final merging this time when I was off work for a couple of weeks. Now i have 5 in my cube and it is fine for them, though they are out in their bigger pen prety much all day.

 

Hope it all works out and do pm me if I can help

[legend21]

Hello All, is the second extension easy to add, I have cube with one extension, but dont know how easy it would be to take off door and add another extension, did you all order the two extensions at the same time or was one an add on. Advice please as I am also thinking of winter

 

thank you

 

Jackie

[The Dogmother]

They're a doddle to add.

[brambles]

Hi all,

 

Just noticed how close some of us are - my inlaws are in Appleton

 

I upgraded to a cube with extra run - managed to get a recon, so £50 off. I kept my eglu for introductions, which took 3 weeks but no probs really. I've kept my eglu and am currently renting it out to a friend who is awaiting her cube but can't wait for chickens!!

 

You're welcome to visit my cube to get an idea of size.

[Kit]

Hi All

 

With all this support I can't not order a cube. Will be on the phone 1st thing Monday for a purple one I think.

 

Brambles I am not far from your in laws used to live in Appleton myself until we moved round the corner to Stretton.

 

What do you all think introducing just 1 hen to 3 existing girls? Like the idea of having 4 or is it wise to introduce 2?

 

Kit

[poachedegg]

Introducing 1 isn't impossible, however can be hard - I would definitely go for at least 2.....or 3.

[brambles]

totally agree with poached egg - 2 or 3! My new 2 still are 'special friends' and the 'old 2' are 'special friends'. Just one being introduced needs a pal for the 2 - 3 weeks they're separated in a different run for.