Kit Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) Hi All As most of you know I have been dilly dallying over a year as to whether to buy a cube or a WIR...and this week I have done both. Now that I have ordered a cube to arrive 18th March, is there any practical reason why I would need the run and run extension (which I have ordered already but can cancel) with a WIR? My run will be approx 12ft x 6ft and bearing in mind my girls free range most days the run really is a luxury. My justification is that it is easier to clean as I can just walk in without having to move things. Also how do or what do most people use to hang their glugs and grubs? Secondly DH is not really happy that I am going to have it built 6ft high and he would rather it be the same height as the stable gate which is about 4ft high. Can I build the roof in sections ie three 4ft flat panels that can be lifted and latched up onto the garage wall so that I can stand in it? I am thinking foxes not sure why as I take the risk in free ranging! Finally are there any chicken friendly woodstains/preservatives out there? Kit soon to be Edited February 28, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 You won't need the cube run if you've got a WIR. For hanging glugs and grubs we use the Ikea kitchen rails fastened on to some wood. There's some pics on here of Tasha's I think. Also, the other thing to think about with a WIR that's only 4 ft high is the fact that you won't be able to stand up in it to clean it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 The only thing I would say is consider how you might do introductions in the future. I kept my eglu run so I could partition off part of my WIR for introductions. It was an absolute necessity as my old girls were really nasty for quite some time . You could make the run 4ft high but I'd imagine it would be a hassle having to lift the panels every time you wanted to clean it. Also, you'll be in most days putting feeders in or collecting eggs or poo picking, won't you? Could you let your OH see some of our runs which are 6ft high and are things of beauty (in my humble opinion!). It doesn't have to be an eyesore! You'll see mine in my signature link. I haven't used anything on my WIR yet but I understand that Cuprinol is safe to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 Hello As you can tell I spend alot of time planning and dreaming of what best to do. Whilst I have permission to have a wir built I have the following options pay handyman to do it and hopes he does it 100% perfect to extreme high standards..my hubby likes things spot on to the millimeter (his job influences this predicament) buy one from A4U or just have the cube run and extension. My hens will be free ranging all day so if it were you, what would you do? Do I really need a wir, for my hens literally to use as a covered walkway to their home, I know the wir will afford me the pleasure of being able to walk in and poo pick how difficult is it with the cube..is it a 2 man job to lift and move the whole thing? I hate my eglu and run because the run is difficult to clean, I can't just pick the poo up - currently have to lift and move the whole thing to do it. I will always pressure wash the concrete and cube so in a WIR will it cause the run alot of water damage over the years even though wood is pressure treated? Please help me to make the right decision..I am useless when it comes to the chucks Thanks Kit soon to be 6 chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Oh, tough one. I have the cube on the outside of my WIR. However, mine are not locked in the WIR all the time so it's used by them at whatever time they get up until we let them out at around 7.30am and also their food is in there. The cube is very heavy and I can only move it a tiny amount on my own. I would imagine it's very difficult to move with runs attached. Would your hubby build a WIR so he knows it's right iykwim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 If £ allow it, I'd go for an A4U - even better if Tony can build it for you. Handyman would be my next option I don't have a cube, so can't say how heavy it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 the cube is REALLY heavy when mine is in place against the WIR nothing moves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poached Egg Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 We've got a cube (OK so we collected it Saturday) and with the wheels down found it really easy to move with the run attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 As you can tell I spend alot of time planning and dreaming of what best to do. Whilst I have permission to have a wir built I have the following optionsPerfectly normal . I couldn't think of anything else while I was planning mine . pay handyman to do it and hopes he does it 100% perfect to extreme high standards..my hubby likes things spot on to the millimeter (his job influences this predicament) I got a handyman to quote for building one but he started telling me where I should have things and I was nervous about the quality as he'd not built one before. buy one from A4U You know exactly what you're getting from Tony and can specify exactly what you want. or just have the cube run and extension. See below. My hens will be free ranging all day so if it were you, what would you do? I don't want to be a worrywort but what if you get a visit from a fox one day . May never happen of course, I've not seen one in 3 years. Do I really need a wir, for my hens literally to use as a covered walkway to their home, If you are totally confident about foxes, I suppose not (except for your pleasure ). I really enjoy having my WIR but then, the girls need it but enjoy it too. Even when they are freeranging, they usually end up pottering about in the WIR. I know the wir will afford me the pleasure of being able to walk in and poo pick That is a huge advantage over the eglu run. You can also handle your girls much more easily and they are much easier to watch. how difficult is it with the cube..is it a 2 man job to lift and move the whole thing? I hate my eglu and run because the run is difficult to clean, I can't just pick the poo up - currently have to lift and move the whole thing to do it. I will always pressure wash the concrete and cube so in a WIR will it cause the run alot of water damage over the years even though wood is pressure treated? I pressure wash my eglu but remove it from the WIR. Mine's on soil so obviously I don't pressure wash that. Do you actually need to pressure wash the slabs? If you use easibed or similar and have it deep, the slabs won't get very dirty. I sprinkle Stalosan F everywhere on cleanout day. I think that would be fine. Please help me to make the right decision..I am useless when it comes to the chucks Have you considered getting another eglu and not getting a cube? That would give you more flexibility and the money saved could go towards the WIR. You could then use one eglu and the old run for introductions . I've probably not helped you at all . Whatever you decide, it will work out fine, I'm sure . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Can't add much to the above! Aviaries4U would be my choice, your OH won't be disappointed with the standard, I assure you, and the lovely Tony will make it to your exact requirements including stable doors, hatches, shelves etc. I don't let my hens free-range unless I am there to supervise them. Now, this is a personal choice based on some close-run escapes, there are people whose chooks free-range all the time, and have no problems; but it's a thought, and a WIR will be useful at times when, say, you are going to be away overnight and can't be there to shut the door on the Cube. I had a Cube and I could move it on my own - difficult but not impossible. It's much easier if it doesn't have the run (and extension) attached, and it's much easier on solid ground - I had to heave mine over rutted soil and that was hard work. So if you're having it on slabs or similar, and without a run attached, I'd say it's not a problem. Having a WIR has totally transformed the way I keep my hens, and I wish I'd had one right from the start. I just wish Omlet made the Glug and Grub in a format that could be hung on weldmesh, keep meaning to get to Ikea for a utensil rail but I haven't got there yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted March 6, 2010 Author Share Posted March 6, 2010 Thank you everyone for your sound advice esp ANH. Well my WIR is half built after 8 hours of hard work, it is 3.5 metres x 1.9m. Jim our handy man is doing a fine job, so far there are 4 front panels, a hatch to collect eggs from cube, support batons for the corrugated roof, 1 stable door on one side and a pair of doors on the other side to allow me to wheel the cube out for pressure washing! He will hopefully attach them altogether next weekend and fix the 16g weld mesh onto panels and a happy chappy from Omlet will deliver my cube on the 18th. Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 woooo hoo Cube arrives tomorrow between 10.30 and 1.30. WIR now complete except we have not made any perches yet. Has anybody got any advice before I start making one...thinking 2 cross legs and resting 2x2 wood across it. Wood 2x2" be ok for hens feet..ie not too big and high high does the perch need to be? Thanks Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 2 x 2 is great you do need to round the corners off though, I use CLS wood which is already slightly rounded cos I am lazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Thanks Tasha I used rounded wood to build the run! Glad I can use the cut offs to make a perch. Do you know how high off the ground it would need to be? thanks Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 You can put them as high as you like . Mine just fly up to the high ones (but the older girls have a job jumping down again so use the "stepping stone" perches I've put in). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Photos of your new cube and WIR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Poached.. don't know how to do it but will look up how to this weekend once it is all set up. Omlet just left, it is soooooo lovely and I love the purple. Can't wait for my 5 year old to see it later! Might put a big bow on it for her! Going to ring Omlet now about the scratch and see what they say! see you soon Kit x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Poached.. don't know how to do it but will look up how to this weekend once it is all set up. Upload them to ImageShack and copy the link to here using tags Omlet customer service is great, hope you get on ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Show us your pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Show us your pics Can you believe Kit is going to make us wait until the weekend?!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 No she'll give in soon. Show us your pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 I can't I have to go to work tomorrow and Saturday Anna has swimming lessons & it's my Mum's birthday! Think JedWard...one of my hens have some funny looking feathery headgear! Sorry guys xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Stoppit you're making it worse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Ok Ok Ok I am uploading pics of hens taken when we got them a few weeks ago. Run and cube will have to wait without sounding dim how do I use the img tag? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 without sounding dim how do I use the img tag? [/img]link goes here[/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
