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

[eggregiousness]

Hello All! I'm new here and having trouble making decisions. First of all I decided I wanted an eglu, then decided that I wanted large hens so an eglu would be too small. Now I can't decide between:

 

 

an eglu cube

 

or

 

a framebow bow coop http://www.framebow.co.uk/bow_coop.html

 

AND

 

Do I want Orpies or Cochins?

 

 

Chickies will be free range (I hope) and on grass. Can anyone help me decide what to do?

 

What is the difference in egg production between Cochins and Orpies?

 

Thanks to everyone and I hope to get to know you better!

[Daphne]

Welcome

 

I expect you might guess that everybody will recommend that you get a cube rather than a framebow so I won't go there

 

Moving onto the birds, I don't keep cochins but I do keep orps. I've heard from a breeder who used to keep both that his cochins would go broody more often. However, they are both stunning birds so whatever you decide you won't go wrong!

[Space Chick]

Welcome to the forum.

 

I'm not an expert by any means, but I love my cube I haven't got any larger ladies in mine, but I know that lots keep Cochins and Orps quite happily in a cube.

 

Someone with more experience will be along in a minute I am sure

[Lewis]

Obviously I'll go with the cube - it'll last longer, won't get red mite and will be more secure

 

And Orpingtons aswell

(you could get a mix of both )

[eggregiousness]

I like the cleanability of the cube and its portability, but I can't see any way to easily get into the run to clean up in there etc. Am I misunderstanding how it opens? It looks to me as though there is just one little door at the end of the run for access?

[Lewis]

I like the cleanability of the cube and its portability, but I can't see any way to easily get into the run to clean up in there etc. Am I misunderstanding how it opens? It looks to me as though there is just one little door at the end of the run for access?

They've now changed the doors so its a bigger door, and the best thing would be to rake it, or move the whole thing to clean it, then move it back

[Space Chick]

That is it I'm afraid, although some people have made "back doors" too.

 

It is rather heavy to move so is a 2 person job (unless you are very strong), but it is so easy to clean

[WarrensWorld]

OK We're biased, it has to be the Easy to move, Easy to clean. You just hose it out so no parasites. No painting or splashing on the preservative. Our four Warrens took to it no problems. Do yourself a favour go you'll be glad you did.

[chick wiggle]

Sorry to be so predictable but it has to be a . So, so easy to clean and the door is big enough to get in to poo pick, I poo pick the run daily, (well whatever I can reach easily anyway) and move it once a week. We have an extension on the run and I can still move it on my own, you just have to watch the skirt doesnt get caught, oh, and distract the chooks with some corn or somthing cos they are so nosey and like to see what your doing

I know its a considered expense but we also got a wooden coop too and its really not as easy to keep clean and Im paranoid about red mite

Good luck with whatever you decide

[Egluntyne]

The cube....what else.

 

I love mine. Easy to clean, well designed and Purple.

[eggregiousness]

Am I correct in thinking that an Eglu would be too small for 2 Orpies?

Thanks!

[Egluntyne]

You are.

[eggregiousness]

Awww - thought so - just wanted someone to confirm it! Thanks!

[chelsea]

I prefer the eglu in design but if you are planning on getting large hens you are better off with the cube.

 

I have cochins who are adorable bundles of fluff (they are huge!) but be prepared for low egg production, my 2 spend most of the summer being broody or semi broody and they also take a winter break!!

[eggregiousness]

Thanks Chelsea for the chicken info. Most of the time it's only me in the house so I don't mind fairly low egg production, provided there are enough to pretend I'm keeping the hens for the eggs! Do you have any bother with their feet when the weather is wet? I read somewhere they can't stand mud or snow?

[chelsea]

I dont have much mud in my garden so mine tend to stay pretty clean. Cochins tend not to scratch the grass or mud as much as my other hens, although they do like to scratch the stone chippings

 

I do keep an eye on their feet and if they appear really bad they get washed as if left they can collect little balls on the bottom of their feet which may cause a problem.

 

Mine have been fully washed and blowdried before (with the hair dryer) and they absolutely love it and come out really fluffy.

 

They really are the sweetest breed and very good with other chickens and dominant hens, they prefer to be bottom of the pecking order and are very friendly, I would recommend them if you are not bothered about the broodiness

[eggregiousness]

Two Cochin girlies it is then! I've also decided on the Bow Coop, mainly because it is cheaper, and because I think my husband might be horrified by the Cube. I'm going to seal and yacht varnish the inside and all the removable bits as soon as it arrives so that I can hose it out out like an Eglu and dry it quickly. I'm going to get the optional anti-dig skirt too to keep out vermin and foxes.

 

The only decision still to made is what colour the girls will be! This is so exciting!

[Plum]

I don't blame you with the bow coop it is very good looking and would look wonderful in a garden (I would choose the cube though because of the reasons listed above).

 

Look forward to seeing your girls in that coop

[quickcluck]

When' it all coming then

[eggregiousness]

I don't know when it will come yet! I e-mailed this evening - after office hours so no reply yet. I can't wait! Now I have to decide on feeders etc. I have to also buy vermin proof food bins to keep hubby from fretting about rats.

 

I have given myself extra work choosing the Framebow. From this evening's reading I need to

 

a) seal all joints with aquarium sealant

 

b) emulsion paint inside (white) and Cuprinol outside colour(s) of choice (a nice duck-egg blue? or clear?)

 

c) clear Ronseal yacht varnish interior over the top of a and b above

 

All this to deter the dreaded mites! So I'm thinking at least a week after delivery before I'll be ready for the girls....

 

And ...... names please for my chicks?

[Space Chick]

Heres a fair bit of inspiration for you....

 

http://wiki.omlet.co.uk/index.php/Chicken_Names

[eggregiousness]

Thanks Debs - lots of inspiration there!

[eggregiousness]

Ideas so far:

 

Eglantine

Primrose

Cicely

Elecampagne

Dandelion

Marigold

Daisy

Poppy

Agatha

Edwina

Dora

Patsy and Eddie

Edited July 14, 2009 by Guest

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Sorry, bit late here, but I'd go for the or the every time, or maybe the or

 

I have 4 Orpingtons in the with 3 hybrids happily snuggled in, there always seems to be a fair amount of space in there. Last night I had forgotten to open the door on the once Buffie had gone back to her cat loo, so ended up with 3 Orpies, 3 hybrids and 3 Batties all tucked up with a big gap in front of the door of (Buffie is the 4th Orpie & is in her own abode as she's broody & sitting on 6 light sussex eggs!!)

 

I'm particularly fond of the names Daisy & Poppy and Dandelion was one of our holiday chooks...Primrose may hopefully be one of our light Sussexes , good names!!

 

Did you contact Omlet and ask about reconditioned cubes? A bit late now maybe, but worth asking for future reference. The run looks a bit cramped on the wooden coop, pretty as it does look, it's not the sleeping arrangements that are so critical in my book, it's the space they will be confined to when they are unable to freerange.

 

Good luck with your plans and new babies,

 

Sha x

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Not sure how much smaller the bantam versions are, but I'd say yes 2 big'uns is not a great plan given how tall they are.

 

I think atsw (Andrew) has one maybe 2 big girls in his eglu though & they seem to be very happy, they do have a big WIR though for daytime wanderings.

 

Sha x

 

p.s. I was right he has 2 Buff Orpies and a standard little red hen. One of the Orpies is at present in a second eglu with her clutch of baby Pekins - gorgeous!! CLick on any of his picture links, many to be found on the Hatching section