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

[Patricia W]

I'm off to see son and little granddaughters (3 and 5) in Australia (Melbourne) in about 3 weeks and son has informed me that they want me to set them up with chickens whilst I am there. As you do...

 

His first thought was he'd get some eggs now and hatch them so I'd have chicks for when I got there! Well I disabused him about that bright idea and suggested we get POL and he can build a WIR ( he's very handy - shame he isn't nearer). So I think that's what we'll be doing.

 

I've been googling " COOPS" and " WIR" and " Chicken Keeping" and I have to say am AMAZED at some of their funny ideas as to how and where chickens live!

 

So, I'm off on a mission.

 

Does anyone know if Omlet are planning to market out there? I'd say there's a big opportunity from what I've seen. And does anyone know anything about chickens in Australia ? One website said Melbourne has more foxes than the countryside - and they have possums - do they eat chickens??

 

Tricia

[Valkyrie]

Not sure about that - they do eat all sorts, but they are nocturnal. Probably a bit like climbing hedgehogs/squirrels (they get into mischief if they manage to sneak in peoples lofts).

[henriette]

Don't know if this is any help

Hope you have a really wonderful trip

[Daphne]

Oh how strange - also going to be seeing my chicken keeping brother near Melbourne in about 3 weeks time.....

 

Foxes are about and they are a pest, just like here. My bro has some bizarre set up which was originally a cat run I understand (cats are also pests in some parts of Oz and cat shoots are not unknown) bolted onto a henhouse. Not heard any possum stories.

 

My bro has silkies and Warrens. He hasn't reported any special problems so I assume with the provision of shade/water/showers they are fine and presumably adapted to the climate. Which would potentially be a concern for Omlet presumably - the double skin would have to work in very high temps/could the sun strength make it brittle quicker?

 

Have a lovely trip - is it your first time? If so - don't miss the Great Ocean Road

[Redwing]

Someone on the pekinheaven forum lives in Oz, the user name escapes me and my work computer wont let me in to that forum - I think it might be Featherfoot... avatar is a howling wolf if I remember correctly. If you were to pm them and ask nicely I am sure they may be able give you some tips

[Patricia W]

I thought I may have put it in the wrong place! Thanks for moving it, mods.

 

Daphne - I've been before, about 2 years ago and love it but hate the flight. I'm flying via Dubai this time which will be new and I'm there from the 20th Nov - strange if we should both be there at the same time. OH is staying at home this time - chicken keeping!

 

My impression is that they have strange and wonderful contraptions for keeping chickens in - the pictures I've seen do not look fox proof at all. I've also found a website whereby you " rent" the coop and the chickens first before buying them. I think the chickens were Pekins, so they seem popular, Redwing.

 

As for Possums I do know they have a Possum ambulance. One of my son's resident Possums fell off the roof. The Possum ambulance was called and the verdict was that they might not be able to save Mum but they could save the two babies in her pocket!

 

So Possum watching and chicken planning should give me something to do in between making fairy cakes with the girls! And worrying about the chicks at home - and OH.

 

Tricia

[henriette]

Just realised that I forgot to paste this

I don't seem to be having a good day!

www.ourbrisbane.com/lifestyle/keeping-chickens

[Lewis]

Rent a chook is in Oz but they look like they'd get hot and I'm sure he could easily make one

 

What about buying an Eglu Go and taking that over as they come flat packed? Someone on here recently is/was going to Oz and taking the cube but it had to be sealed in the packaging

[Plum]

Yes I was going to say pop one in your suitcase.

[Patricia W]

Actually a Go might not be a bad idea.... I think I have 37kg baggage allowance... anyone know how much they weigh?

 

They can be a bit funny over there though about what you can take in...

 

Tricia

[abwsco]

Actually a Go might not be a bad idea.... I think I have 37kg baggage allowance... anyone know how much they weigh?

 

They can be a bit funny over there though about what you can take in...

 

Tricia

 

Tricia, I couldn't lift the Go box on my own and had to slide it across my wooden floor. The box was also MUCH bigger than I thought it would be. Put together I can just manage to slide it across the table it's on to pull the poo tray out but then I do have no arm strength

[Lewis]

Might be worth giving Omlet a call tomorrow and see how heavy it is and how big it is

 

If he's building a WIR you'll only need the Go without a run so it'll be even lighter and smaller

[abwsco]

Mine was without a run.

[Olly]

I adopted three chooks from someone who was emigrating to Australia, two years ago. We are in touch by email occasionally, he wants to get chickens again but it's taken a while for them to get settled somewhere. Omlet don't have a franchise out there - he actually contacted them suggesting it, but never heard anything! Lots of people do keep chickens though, although clearly there are some different pests out there.

 

It sounds like a great idea, hope you can achieve it - have a lovely trip!

[Old Speckled Hen]

Rent a chook is in Oz but they look like they'd get hot and I'm sure he could easily make one

 

This from the site made me smile

 

Chickens are fierce creatures that grow long and sharp teeth that need to be filed down regularly. We sell files designed just for this purpose.

Price: $10.00 inc GST

[Patricia W]

OSH - I said they had strange ideas! I found one site where someone was suggesting taping a cockerel's beak shut - I'm definitely on a mission..

 

Yes, I think the GO is no GO ( sorry- couldn't resist). I'm already taking M and S clothes for daughter in law, plus Christmas pressies so hardly any room left for my clothes and more importantly, make up.

 

I think I'll just have to supervise son in building a suitable residence to UK standards and find some easy POL for them.

 

( My son is actually something important in a large retail concern out there- I wonder if they've ever thought of an Omlet concession..... mmmmm...... )

 

Tricia

[Daphne]

Have fun Tricia - I did my packing yesterday and like you the case is stuffed full of Xmas pressies, and lots of clothes for my niece and niece-to-be - you'd think Australia hadn't invented clothes yet

 

Who does he work for - I can only think of Target and Myers. We will be camping some of the time so Target here we come for good value duvets/sheets/towels etc! Its 30 degrees in Adelaide - can't wait.

[Patricia W]

I'm told that Australian clothes aren' t as stylish - but maybe that's the European perspective! We love camping in Europe but have never done it over there - maybe that's something to add to the list. Thirty degrees..... can't wait.

 

Enjoy..

 

Tricia

[Cate in NZ]

I am aware that Australia & NZ are different countries, but I think that both countries share the high UV problem thanks to the hole in the ozone layer.

 

I've recently been researching the Go with a view to bringing one out here, although NZ doesn't have foxes so no need for the fox-proofing element to it (and possums are pests here........but they don't cause any harm to chooks). But the biggest problem seems to be the high UV damaging plastics. I keep intending to do a bit more science-y research to work out the cost of the Go versus the lifespan before the plastics perish, but I know next to nothing about plastics really. But suffice to say that homes here have metal or wood window frames, UPVC perishes in less than 10yrs apparently, & companies like Little Tykes don't sell over here, no market for the more expensive plastic garden toys because they don't last. Of course you can buy the cheap & cheerful alternatives, but I've hardly ever seen plastic toys in use in gardens here. I think that there is a general plastic phobia.....everyone knows that plastic has a limited lifespan so they avoid it, regardless of whether or not it will last for long enough to serve it's purpose. Oh, just thought, kayaks are the exception to the rule, loads of funky plastic kayaks out there!

 

Don't know if it's the same in Australia of course, but really worth researching carefully if you're seriously considering an Omlet franchise rather than a single eglu just for you. I was thinking, fairly casually, about proposing a NZ/ Aus franchise to the Omlet team........but after my very limited research I simply can't see there being a market here, although of course I can't speak for Aus.

 

Have a great trip though. I'm visiting Melbourne for the first time next year...can't wait, it sounds like a beautiful place.

[Patricia W]

Actually Cate I've been thinking the same thing. Melbourne has an interesting climate. It can be 40 one day and 12 the next bit it definitely has more UV. You'll love it - lots of lovely places to eat and visit.

 

I've also wondered about the size of the market there. Not so many people living closely together as in the UK and the USA. I'll do some research and feed back.

 

My main concern is setting up my son and family with the standard of accommodation I think their chooks should expect! Must keep up standards you know..

 

Tricia

[luteba]

... the biggest problem [for NZ] seems to be the high UV damaging plastics. I keep intending to do a bit more science-y research to work out the cost of the Go versus the lifespan before the plastics perish, but I know next to nothing about plastics really. But suffice to say that homes here have metal or wood window frames, UPVC perishes in less than 10yrs apparently, & companies like Little Tykes don't sell over here, no market for the more expensive plastic garden toys because they don't last. Of course you can buy the cheap & cheerful alternatives, but I've hardly ever seen plastic toys in use in gardens here. I think that there is a general plastic phobia.....everyone knows that plastic has a limited lifespan so they avoid it, regardless of whether or not it will last for long enough to serve it's purpose. ...

 

With respect Cate, I think perhaps you just haven't been here long enough, or seen enough of NZ, to have come across them. Little Tikes (assuming they're the same thing as Little Tykes - plastic toddlers' play stuff, in any case) do sell here, and I've seem them all over. UPVC windows are also available (and don't perish), they're just expensive in comparison to the (generally shoddy quality) wooden and aluminium joinery that's available.

 

Gutterings and downpipes on houses are also predominantly plastic.

 

That's not to say that some plastics don't perish - it just seems to depend on the colour and the ingredients: for example, I have two flexible plastic garden buckets, of identical size and shape, though I think they were different manufacturers. The orange one has deteriorated and cracked, but the red one shows no sign of sun damage.

 

In other words, the deterioration in the plastic COULD be an issue, but wouldn't necessarily be.

 

Of course, I would be happy to volunteer my services as a product tester...

[Patricia W]

Where are you, Luteba?

 

My grandchildren definitely have plastic toys in the garden but I wasn't sure if they'd brought them from England. I do remember that all the toys I saw in the shops last time out seemed more expensive but my son says that is a consequence of the distance travelled.

 

Wish I could put an eglu classic or Go in the suitcase!

 

Tricia

[luteba]

I'm in Wellington, NZ. Yes, I think you're right that quality toys are more expensive here - as you say, a combination of a small market and long distance shipping costs. 'Course we have endless cheap stuff from China, but it's not what you'd call lasting.

 

But yeah, I have a friend coming home from the UK for Christmas, and I'm considering asking her how much luggage she's bringing - if anyone was able to advise the packaged eglu (classic preferred, no run) dimensions and weight it'd be a huge help!