Khali Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I'm a newbie and don't have any chickens yet. I was thinking of getting two chickens or perhaps three. So, stage 1 is to set up a chicken run at the back of the garden. I wanted something I could walk into rather than the the low Eglu runs. I don't want it to be too intrusive so I've decided on a 6ft & 9ft run. The intention is to keep the chickens in there when I'm not around and let them roam the garden when I am there. Stage 2 is the chicken house. I cant decide whether to go for the Eglu or the Eglu cube. I can see advantages in both. The smaller internal area in the Eglu should let the body heat from a couple of chickens build up nicely and keep them warm in winter. I'm in Scotland so it can get quite cold here. The Eglu should be small enough to bring into my Conservatory if things get really cold. The Cube has the advantage of being high off the ground and having more room for the chickens to move around in. So I suppose my question comes down this: would two or perhaps three chickens be happier and more comfortable in an Eglu or an Eglu Cube ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevtheplumber Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 got the eglu but would swap for a cube if I could. depends on how many you really want, 4 max would be ok in the eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieD Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 i would go for an eglu if i was you- i love my cube but your run size is going to limit the number of chickens you have so an eglu would be perfect. you could always sit it on a table with a ramp to lift it off the ground. avaries for you make them or you could make your own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 As you are planning a large run, then I would say the eglu. I have 2 eglus and 5 large hens, they all try and sleep in one eglu at night Still space, as they snuggle up together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I'd go for a cube. It is really easy to clean and move around. Also, it would give you an excuse to start with four or five hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I'm another eglu fan . (You're never going to decide with our help .) Look at the link in my signature. I started with 3 but have 5 now who will all sleep in the eglu once they're friends! If you know you won't/can't go above 5 hens, an eglu is ideal. You won't need to bring the eglu indoors - even in Scotland! Whereabouts are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTheDiver Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I have a cube and love it so do my six girls. They stay plenty warm enough in there with the door shut (but we haven't gone through a winter yet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Having started off with then added ...then a rapidly followed by .....recently joined by a and just today I added a ...............I don't think I'd be of any use to you at all in decision making You'll love it whatever you chose and the chooks will snuggle up when the weather turns chilly....Angels4 had his in extreme snowy weather last year & it stayed outside all the time with his girls as happy as larry. I would recommend going for 3 though as,should the worst happen and you lose one, you will still have a pair to keep each other company until you introduce a second pair...as introducing a single chook is not easy Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Obviously the choice is a difficult one and all yours Im afraid But, I promise you this, if you start with two you will definately want more, no question! I have a cube and started off with 6, dropped to 5 , and now i have 11! The cube is fantastically easy to clean and leaves your options for more birds, open. Good luck Oh, PS. If you can i would go for the biggest size run you can to accomadate your extra birds! Chickens really are (and i mean REALLY are) addictive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I agree with the advice above about the biggest run you can fit in, and it's a great idea to start with a WIR. While chicken-keeping is addictive, if you know you're not really going to want more than 5 then I would go with an Eglu. It's funky, it's portable and it will take up less space - the advice about putting it on a table is very good. I have a and I love it, but I am seriously considering selling it and buying an Eglu again, because it will fit inside a WIR and I don't think I'm ever going to get more than five hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 I've got a similar set up to ANH: a 6'x9' WIR, with and Eglu on a table, and three chickens. I do like the Eglu on the table: it makes it easier to clean, access the eggs, and also gives them shelter and more space on the ground. I did indulge with an eglu door, which, again is brilliant, though not essential. I'm happy with just my three, for the time being. Does that make me odd? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 I'm happy with just my three, for the time being. Does that make me odd? Not at all odd, I was happy with my three for about 4 months & having decided I wanted battery hens as well...which were my alternative choice for the original set.....I had to wait 3 months for the next rescue in our area and was asked to take on the Orpies about 2 weeks before the Batties due date...then this summer the ranks have been swelled by eggs hatched by my broody Orpie, a rescued Pekin and some friends for her........so I have a very good reason for each additional chook . What I'm trying to say is that chook addiction can sneak up on you, it's not necessarily an instant thing..unless your name is Space Chick of course...hers was pretty instant Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 I'd go for the eglu, as you don't really need anything as big as the cube for the number of hens you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khali Posted September 28, 2009 Author Share Posted September 28, 2009 Oh dear! I have a feeling I would be better getting the chickens first and asking them which they would prefer. So, I'd be better with 3 chickens, just in case I lose 1 and then I'll probably end up with 4 or more. And if I had 2 Eglus they would all try to squeeze into one anyway. The cube would certainly take up considerable space in my small run. However the chickens probably wouldn't mind as they could run underneath it. The other way to maximise space would be to put a cube outside the run with a hole cut through for access. Then I could clean on the outside while the chickens are on the inside. Then again, the little Eglu does look neat and portable. Things were so much simpler when I was a child and my aunt kept chickens. The most difficult thing was hunting for the eggs under the local hedges . I wonder what her reaction to Eglus would have been. I think I might just start with an Eglu. Now what colour? Oh dear! More decisions. What am I going to be like when I have to choose the chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 Decisions, decisions . Good luck with them all . Re the chickens, I went to a local breeder and just pointed at 3 that looked nice colours . Depends whereabouts you are and what's available so all that research on the type of chicken you want may be academic . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 This is probably the hardest bit about chicken keeping Cube or Eglu.. which colour? ... then of course which chickens?..... Good luck and let us know what you get in the end Oh by the way, i dont know if anybody has told you yet.. but... pictures ARE compulsory you know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 What I'm trying to say is that chook addiction can sneak up on you, it's not necessarily an instant thing..unless your name is Space Chick of course...hers was pretty instant Sha x I'm telling Debs! Ah, won't be long before she finds out for herself! Cubie person here - started with 3, had 3 chicks (mum died) now down to 4 hens (ate one chick who turned into a cockerel). Room for more next year. Thinking of eglu for future intro's and broodies. Ahem, cough, addictive?? Go for both and you are in a win/win situation (except your purse will suffer somewhat). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 What I'm trying to say is that chook addiction can sneak up on you, it's not necessarily an instant thing..unless your name is Space Chick of course...hers was pretty instant Sha x I'm telling Debs! Ah, won't be long before she finds out for herself! The truth never hurt anyone Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 I think I might just start with an Eglu. Now what colour? Oh dear! More decisions. What am I going to be like when I have to choose the chickens? A late Eglu vote from me. I have 9 hens (2 LF, 7 bantams) in a WIR. Sleeping and nesting via two Eglu's. To save valuable floor space, my Eglu's are stacked on top of each other. Colour choice for me was Blue and Purple (I've always liked the , but I love the one). Even so, as you an see, I'm still not sure which colour to have as the 'Penthouse' at the top There's more pictures of my set-up in this post. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khali Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 OK! Decision made! I've ordered an orange Eglu. Arrives on 7th Oct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I have one of those as my emergency accomodation, the girls live in the cube full time, orange is lovely!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 OK! Decision made! I've ordered an orange Eglu. Arrives on 7th Oct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Congratulations . Now just the chickens and their names to decide . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
