Chicken bald back

[ClaudetteDay]

Do you think I need anything else? I'm buying everything off Omlet (unless i find something cheaper elsewhere)!

And would any of you suggest the Eglu Classic instead of the Go? The Go looks slightly bigger, which is funny because it's less expensive!

we are also planning to rescue some ex bats. And I realize they maybe lacking nutrients, so is there anything else I need for their diet?

 

I'm also wanting a winter shade for the eglu go (we live in Scotland so it's pretty rainy!), but am I right in thinking there isn't one available? If there isn't, then I'll think about purchasing the classic instead. But could I use something in it's place, like a clear shower curtain? And just tie it to the run?

 

Any suggestions on toys?

 

Advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

1. Eglu Go + run

2. Clean-n-Safe Pet safe disinfectant / cleaner

3. Ex Bat crumbs

4. Dried mealworms (good protein!)

5. Food scoop (in purple )

6. Diatomaceous Earth

7. Bedding (I'll be using shredded newspaper until I find somewhere that sells something like Aubiose, but I understand shredded newspaper work just as well!)

 

8. Toys from our local pet store (any suggestions welcomed!)

9. Cat carrier (for the trips to the vet!)

10. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (apparently this can help with worms? as well as promoting feather growth)

 

11. Snugglesafe Microwave Heatpad with Cover (keeps them warm in the chilly winter nights!) I'll be buying this off amazon as it's only £15 as appose to £21!

 

12. poultry netting (to give the girls some more space! we are planning to let them out at the weekends)

 

Anything else you suggest for some ex bats?

 

Many thanks!

[Egluntyne]

I always recommend a metal bin for storing food, and a luggage cord to secure the lid.

[Raina]

Sounds like you have pretty much everything lol

 

We store our feed in a pink plastic bullet bin,we keep it in the kitchen (well my uncle does as he's looking after them for a while)

 

Have you got grit & calcium for them?

[ClaudetteDay]

yeah we're planning to get a plastic storage container from argos to keep the food and bits and bobs in!

 

I'll purchase some grit and calcium as well! Forgot about that.

Thanks for reminding me

There's one on omlet that's proved to be fairly popular with ex bats.

 

thanks a lot

Edited December 5, 2009 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sounds like you've got most things covered . Don't feel you have to buy everything before you get your girls - you can get most things later on when you know what you really need .

 

I'm not sure about the difference in size between the Go and the Classic . They say suitable for "up to 3" for the Go rather than "2-4" for the Classic so it's presumably a bit smaller.

 

Personally, I prefer a clear winter cover which lets some light in (especially required in Scotland . Whereabouts are you, btw?).

 

Have you seen the Shopping list for newbies' ?

[ClaudetteDay]

Hi there, I'm thinking about buying the classic.

 

Where did you get your clear winter cover?

 

And we're from St Andrews! But we're thinking about moving somewhere in between glasgow/edinburgh with some land!

 

thanks for the help!

[chelsea]

Don't feel you have to buy everything before you get your girls - you can get most things later on when you know what you really need .

 

 

I agree.

 

You really can get by with the basics to begin with - don't let the lists daunt you. As you go along you really will accumalate a lot of chicken goodies as every time you go somewhere you will spot something that will be "ideal for the girlies"

 

Just the eglu, bedding, and feed would be an ideal starting point.

[ClaudetteDay]

Thanks for the advice everyone

 

The only reason I thought about buying everything at once was because it will save on p&p. And it's just easier to get everything at once so I'm not panicking!

 

Now all I'm trying to do is decide between the classic and go

 

I think the roof of the go is slightly higher than the classic. which is why it looks slightly bigger?

 

...... I'm stuck!

[debbier]

I've got a classic, and have since seen a Go, at Grand Designs. I'd say the pods were a similar size inside, though I'm sure you could work that out from the specs.

 

In some respects, I'd say it depends on how your setup is regarding access to the doors and trays, and run layout. The Go doesn't need side access in the pod, I don't think?

 

I definitely prefer the look of the classic, but that's maybe more aesthetics than anything else.

 

You should be able to get stuff like cider vinegar etc. from horse-y places. I live in a reasonably surburban are in the midlands, and can easily get feed, aubiose, cider vinegar etc.

[Charlottechicken]

I've got a classic, and have since seen a Go, at Grand Designs. I'd say the pods were a similar size inside, though I'm sure you could work that out from the specs.

 

 

You are right, debbier, the floor sizes are 80cm x 80cm for both the Classic and the Go. I also saw it at Grand Designs

 

The dimensions are on the Omlet website, click on 'products' above and work your way through the blurb for each model until you see a tiny drawing of the layout, then just click to enlarge. The run dimensions are also there

[Ain't Nobody Here]

If you'd like to come and see an Eglu Classic, just PM me . I live close to the Edinburgh bypass . (There's a good supplier fairly close to me too.)

[ClaudetteDay]

Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody Here: Thank you so much for the lovely offer! I might take you up on that offer if I still haven't made my mind up! But I think I'll just go for the eglu go!!

 

Many thanks to everyone !

[ClaudetteDay]

The eglu classic looks easier to clean? Does the roof of the eglu go come completely off like the classic? and does the eglu classic come with wooden roosting bars instead of plastic ones?

[Reikiranf]

Re: the clear cover for the winter, lots of us use shower curtains held on with bungees & others use clear corrugated plastic that you can get at most diy stores.

 

It does look like you have most things covered, I got an Eglu package complete with chickens & gradually bought more bits as the need arose

 

Good luck with your girls when you get them, I'm sure you'll enjoy having them, I'd never had birds as pets before and was amazed at their different personalities & I love them to bits

[debbier]

The classic comes with plastic bars .

 

The Go doesn't have an egg port: you can slide out the whole nesting box, roosting bars and all. So would need easy access at the back. You would need that to clean a classic, though, but the daily egg collection is easy via the port on the side.

 

I can't remember how the Go comes apart for cleaning.

 

I do remember that the run can be configured with the access on the side in the Go (it can't in the Classic).

[laurmurf]

The eglu classic looks easier to clean? Does the roof of the eglu go come completely off like the classic? and does the eglu classic come with wooden roosting bars instead of plastic ones?

 

 

The eglu classic comes with plastic roosting bars.

As far as I'm aware the Go has a plastic 'cover' (the colourful bit) that goes over the grey plastic frame. I don't think the cover comes off all the way.

 

the big plus for the Go is that the door can be put in the side of the run (particularly in 'tight for space' gardens. the run is taller rather than sloped which might be good for bigger breeds (orps? brahmas?) and the internal dimensions looked bigger to me (not that that makes much difference to a flock of hens - they'll squeeze in just about anywhere).

[docsquid]

Maybe some mixed chicken corn and/or mealworms as a treat, but you don't have to have those. Looks like your chickens will be well cared-for!

[ClaudetteDay]

I'm thinking about going for the eglu classic. it seems to be the most popular. and if i ever want to sell it on one day. although, by the sounds of things I think i'll have the chickens for the rest of my life!

 

thanks for the info guys

[Redwing]

With the classic you can make the run longer, something to consider

[ClaudetteDay]

That is a very good point! I wanted to extend the run in the future, so that's an extremely important factor about the eglu classic.

 

Problem solved! It's the eglu classic!

 

Right, I'm now going to purchase the eglu classic along with some ex bat feed and some other bits and bobs. not as much as my list!

 

Thank you!

[Clur]

I'd also look to gvet some flubenvet to worm your new chooks. It's very effective and there's no egg withdrawal period either. I worm mine every 3 months.

[chick wiggle]

How exciting! I cant help re the classic or go debate, but i do have a classic and love it. its very easy to clean and look after.

I was just going to suggest flubenvet too Clur, but i suppose thats not an immediate need, however, i would really recommend getting some garlic powder straight away. Mix it in with their feed to stop any smelly poos - really! it works!

Let us know how you get on

[ClaudetteDay]

thanks to all for the helpful advice

 

to Clur, i've bought some "verm-x" which should help with the worms.

 

i've also purchased some plastic roosting bars, because i'm really not sure that the eglu classic comes with plastic ones. take a look...

 

http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_services/products_services.php?view=Chickens&about=the%20eglu&rolling_image_id=3

 

the roosting bars won't go to waste either way.

 

i'll be purchasing some toys and mealworms nearer the time when i get my chicken. i don't even know when i'm getting them! could be next year sometime. which worries me, because i've gone ahead and purchased chicken feed. it should keep by then surely?

 

o well!

 

many thanks again

[laurmurf]

I think the only toys you'll need will be edible ones!

 

(you'll find the verm-x won't help with worms, so when you do get your chooks go for the flubenvet.... but plenty of time for that yet)

[Lewis]

A new classic will come with plastic roosting bars