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

[maryeadrian]

I'm in the US and got my eglu when the weather was nice. We've had one storm and I put tarps over my elgu because of the wind. Yesterday was just a fine mist, not even rain and when I checked the eglu the back lip of the tray was all wet. If it rains, I'm afraid the whole tray will be soaked. I don't mind putting up tarps when it's a heavy rain, but it seems it shouldn't need it in light rain. Another person posted in the US that they had rain and the tray was soaked. Is this normal?

 

I should also say I checked to make sure it was level. It sits 2 feet off the ground and is attached to a WIR, so the water isn't coming from the ground. I think it's sliding off the back and into the tray.

 

I don't expect it to be weather proof through everything, but I really didn't expect that it couldn't be out in any rain. What am I doing wrong???

 

Thanks!

[Patricia W]

Is this the cube or the eglu classic ? I had a problem like that with the cube and it was because I hadn't balanced it properly. The ground was uneven and we had to level it up - then it stopped.

 

I've never had any trouble with the eglu classic so can't help if it's that.

 

Tricia

[Plum]

You could move it so the wind doesn't drive the rain in.

[maryeadrian]

It's the classic eglu and it's attached to the run. I don't mind the wind, it's when it gets wet when there is a light mist or rain.

 

Hmmm. I'm not sure what to do now.

[Egluntyne]

It sounds very odd. I've not heard of it before. I'd get in touch with Omlet.

 

Can you post a picture so that we can see if there is anything obviously amiss?

[maryeadrian]

I'll try. Have to take a closeup this weekend since I'm at work now. But I will. Thanks!

[Patricia W]

I can't imagine how it would happen in a classic eglu as the tray is above the ground. The only thing I can think of is that the rain is bouncing up off the ground and somehow getting into the tray. Is that possible?

 

Mind you, we've had torrential rain before and it's not happened to either of mine.

 

As Egluntyne says, take some pics and send to Omlet.

 

Tricia

[Lewis]

It could be that the tray isn't pushed in properly and the water is running down the shell and onto the flat bit of the tray?

or the wind blowing the rain in, so a tarp/shower curtain over the back should help

[maryeadrian]

I checked to make sure the tray was in properly. It makes a "click" sound so you know it's in. The tarp is fine for wind and rain, but we more often have light showers and I don't want to be putting up a tarp everytime it sprinkles.

 

Now I can't wait to get back home and take photos. I'll take close ups of everything...including the level that shows it's level. maybe that will help.

 

And yes, I should contact Omlet, but I want to make sure I have everything set up right first. If I can find the problem and fix it that would be better.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I have an eglu (classic) and never once noticed any dampness in the tray, even in the biggest downpours or the mistiest dampest days .

[maryeadrian]

You know, I'm glad you said that. That was my understanding, that they're pretty much rain proof. Mine isn't. This happened when I first got it, but it only lightly rained twice, so I figured that wasn't enough to go on. But now....I just don't want to be cleaning a wet tray everytime it gets even slightly wet. But I was also trying to be reasonable.

 

I read some other threads...I have a "Blue Classic", too!

[rufusrooster]

It could be that the tray isn't pushed in properly and the water is running down the shell and onto the flat bit of the tray?

or the wind blowing the rain in, so a tarp/shower curtain over the back should help

 

 

maybe its as Lewis says and running down the shell, dripping onto the lip of the tray and running in, how about having the eglu sloping back slightly ?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Or how about tucking some folded up newspaper under the far (door) end of the tray to try and tip it up a bit?

[maryeadrian]

GREAT suggestion! I'm going to try it! And yes, I think the rain is dripping off the back of the shell and into the tray. I just didn't think it should do that. I don't mind, really, except I'd need to do a more thorough cleaning job daily in order to keep the tray dry. but I love the ideas. And will try them. Now I need rain. thanks!

[Lewis]

Now I need rain. thanks!

... or a watering can

 

Sloping the eglu backwards a bit should help drain the water straight off, let us know

[maryeadrian]

OK, I did the water can test and it failed miserably. I could actually pour the water out of the tray. I can't tip it back because of the way it's attached to the WIR. I didn't realize it was attached so well!

 

The water is coming from the shell, dripping on to the lip of the tray and goes from there. After a good rain that's when the tray is wet. Depending on the amount of time and degree of rain the tray will either be wet or enough to pour out. Everywhere else is 100% dry! (I keep having visions of running the tray out of the rain, cleaning and drying every morning. I do clean the tray every morning, but it's usually just changing the paper, not cleaning and drying.)

 

I did send Omlet photos and an email.

 

We're expecting rain again tonight, so the tarp is up and over the eglu, tied on to the WIR and bricks holding it down on the bottom. I must say, I really don't want to go through that everytime there's a little rain. Storms, wind, etc. I expect to, but not every time it rains. Don't mean to complain. This is one of the many, many reasons I got the Eglu. And I do love it, just don't want the tray to be wet everytime it rains.

 

You can see the photos better if you click on the picture. It's hard to see the drips otherwise.

 

So if anyone has any other ideas, I am really, really open to them. Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Egluntyne]

It is an odd one.. The only thing I can suggest is that the gap between the top front of the Eglu and the walk in run might be vulnerable. *scratches head*.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

I'm at a loss...my trays get wet only when the rain is being blown in by the wind & I've cured that by putting a board behind the nursery as a windbreak and bringing the roof line lower on the , moving it also helped no end . This is not an option on yours though obviously

 

I hope a solution is found soon

 

Sha x

[Plum]

The answer seems to be in the photos. The spirit level shows the eglu is slightly tilted forward that is probably enough to affect the way water runs.

[Patricia W]

I think Plum is right. I think if you angle it forward the rain will run off the front into the run.

 

Tricia

[maryeadrian]

The front of the run is their enclosed "dry" area. I wouldn't want that to get wet. And I see what you mean that the level is slightly tilted. I could probably make it exacting, but don't see that solving the problem. And I've seen photos where folks have them on the ground, it isn't exactly level and they don't have this problem.

 

I'm sure my DH can put something together to fix this or we can put a roof over the entire run. Personally, I don't think we should have to do any of that, though. Seems like most who have these don't have this problem. I've only found 2 other people who have experienced it. Not bad odds for the company, it's amazingly good, but bad for those of us who are having to figure something out. I could've bought something much cheaper, but wanted the eglu mainly for health reasons. It's easier to clean and less likely to get critters. Oh yeah, and it's really cute! (And now my DH is wondering why I spent so much money and have to make "work arounds" to accomodate water in the tray.)

 

Guess I'll have to wait and hear from Omlet. This is truly depressing. thanks for all your input, though.

[jlo]

No suggestions I am afraid but hope you get something sorted!

[Egluntyne]

I think Plum might be right tbh.

 

Can you tweak it a bit so that it is level?

[Patricia W]

Try the water test with it level - in fact, when I clean mine at the weekend, I'll experiment with my two eglus at the three angles - level, tipped forward and tipped slightly back.

 

We'll crack this one, I'm sure

 

Tricia

[maryeadrian]

I'll give it a try! At this point I'm willing to try just about anything. Even sat in bed last night trying to figure ways to cover it...roof? slanted tarp?, etc. Thanks!