Solitary chicken - need advice

[Tutti Frutti]

DH says we don't need one.

 

Of course he's right (although it pains me to say it!) but that doesn't stop me wanting one

 

We have a very pretty wooden house for our original two girls. The ex-barn girls are in a temporary coop with nesting area (very cleverly made by DH from an old shed ) and might fit into the wooden house when the intros are complete (probably need to change the roost bar for a longer one).

 

He's right, I don't need one. But we could use it for the girls' holidays (in-laws would have them in an Eglu and run at the drop of a hat), quarantine of any poorly chookie (had our Penny in the house for a fortnight before she died), introductions, housing the new girls whilst they settle in. And of course it's a doddle to keep pest-free and clean, now we have four girls.

 

I would actually like them all to live in an Eglu in our WIR - would a Classic comfortably house four average-sized birds - a Light Sussex hyrbid, Black Rock and 2 ISA Browns (ex-barn girls)?

 

I say all of this to him but... we don't need it!

 

Me wanting one isn't enough, apparently {sigh}

 

Any ideas would be very welcome!

[bellekatz]

When I had 5 girls ina walk in run they all used to sleep in one eglu

[Cinnamon]

When I had 8 hens & 2 Eglus,they would all squeeze into one to sleep

 

And you do need one, just for the ease of cleaning & the peace of mind that you are less likely to get red mite

[Chook n Boo Mum]

How about having an "eglu fund" jar next to the kettle........it might show him that you are really seriously in need of one and he might just surprise you........of course he might not, but at least you can save up for one & get it anyway.........it worked for me !

 

Why not ring Omlet & ask if they have any return/recon eglus available without the run.......any discount might help tip the balance

 

I always like to have a spare house "just in case".....it's full of 6 Black Rocks at the mo

 

Sha x

[stu]

let me get this right... he is a bloke yes..?

in that case... just wait until he buys something that he 'needs' and then praise it at every opportunity.

trust me... before too long... he will 'need' something...

eglu guaranteed

 

good luck

[Chook n Boo Mum]

You could always buy one & adopt the "oh that old thing" route when he notices it in the WIR

 

I like the plan Stu

 

Sha x

[Tutti Frutti]

You could always buy one & adopt the "oh that old thing" route when he notices it in the WIR

 

I like the plan Stu

 

Sha x

 

Ah Stu, I too like your plan!

 

Wild Mum, that's a great idea! So I buy it, put it in the back of the wardrobe and then do the "oh that old thing, had it for ages" routine in the spring (or earlier) when it comes out into the WIR!

[Falkor]

You could always buy one & adopt the "oh that old thing" route when he notices it in the WIR

 

I like the plan Stu

 

Sha x

 

Ah Stu, I too like your plan!

 

Wild Mum, that's a great idea! So I buy it, put it in the back of the wardrobe and then do the "oh that old thing, had it for ages" routine in the spring (or earlier) when it comes out into the WIR!

 

 

And if he spots it in the back of the wardrobe just tell him it is the latest thing in Shoe storage and then proceed to tell him about all the new shoes that you need and he will run a mile and forget he ever saw it

 

THEN....when he doesn`t buy you the shoes that you obviously NEED pop it into the WIR as its next best use is as a chicken house

[Space Chick]

You could always buy one & adopt the "oh that old thing" route when he notices it in the WIR

 

I like the plan Stu

 

Sha x

 

Ah Stu, I too like your plan!

 

Wild Mum, that's a great idea! So I buy it, put it in the back of the wardrobe and then do the "oh that old thing, had it for ages" routine in the spring (or earlier) when it comes out into the WIR!

 

 

And if he spots it in the back of the wardrobe just tell him it is the latest thing in Shoe storage and then proceed to tell him about all the new shoes that you need and he will run a mile and forget he ever saw it

 

THEN....when he doesn`t buy you the shoes that you obviously NEED pop it into the WIR as its next best use is as a chicken house

 

Brilliant Em

 

That has made me laugh out loud!

[Redwing]

Start off by asking for a cube

 

I always work on the theory that if you want a rabbit you ask for a pony, if you need £5 ask for £20

 

Seems to work pretty well

 

Joking apart the hygiene factor makes them ideal for sick chooks

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Start off by asking for a cube

 

I always work on the theory that if you want a rabbit you ask for a pony, if you need £5 ask for £20

 

Seems to work pretty well

 

Joking apart the hygiene factor makes them ideal for sick chooks

 

This theory was the one that clinched the guinea pig request from DD.......I pointed out to DH that she might "up the ante" & ask for a pony next....the next time she asked for GPs he said yes

 

Sha x

[Tutti Frutti]

Yay, making progress. I have agreement in principle - he's even put some on watch on Ebay

 

Just need to persuade him to buy one direct from Omlet now!

 

I sowed the seed a few days ago and then left him to it. So he's been working it out for himself... pros and cons of cleaning, hygiene plus (and this is the one he came up with) the cost of hen holidays over a couple of years - "it could pay for itself" as we'd be able to take them to Granny and Gramps'

 

All I need to do is wait for him to say, "Hey, I've had a good idea!" and I've cracked it!

 

So what colour do I go for?

[Tutti Frutti]

Start off by asking for a cube

 

I always work on the theory that if you want a rabbit you ask for a pony, if you need £5 ask for £20

 

Seems to work pretty well

 

Joking apart the hygiene factor makes them ideal for sick chooks

 

This theory was the one that clinched the guinea pig request from DD.......I pointed out to DH that she might "up the ante" & ask for a pony next....the next time she asked for GPs he said yes

 

Sha x

 

I did ask for a cube - definite NO there! So good tip, to downgrade to the Classic!

[Couperwife]

some men just dont seem to understand the difference between NEED and WANT

 

arent they technically the same word???

 

when I say I need a new pair of shoes, kev says "no you dont, you have enough shoes for a millipead" (I dont!!! ),

 

what I really mean is, "I need a new pair of shoes because the other 50 pairs dont go with this new outfit "

 

so, you do NEED the eglu, as it will be used to take the hens on holiday , and you will be able to go away in peace, and not worry about them being on their own

 

there you go, argument solved

 

cathy

x

 

ps, kev has just told me I am being rather conservative with 50

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Glad to hear he's warming to the idea . If he's watching them on Ebay, he's definitely on board .

 

By the way, I have 5 hybrids in a Classic in my WIR - it's plenty big enough .

[Tutti Frutti]

Yay! I'm getting a this week! He caved in, anything for a quiet life he said Especially when he saw the asking prices of second hand ones and Mk1s with wooden bars going on Ebay for £200. So we got a new with refurb run for £283 (plus £20 delivery or you can collect).

 

See the For Sale section http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=53637&p=831527#p831527

 

[Janty]

Congratulations.

 

 

Purple is

[Laura & CTB]

Yay - congratulations

 

and yes, purple is very

[Egluntyne]

Well done.

 

I never discuss the purchase of Eglus with Him Indoors..... I just get one. He never notices anyway.