Sooo much pooping

[mandi-b3]

I`m planning on getting 3 or 4 chickens shortly. Been reading some of the FAQ`s What is the best type of coop to get?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

An eglu, obviously .

 

Welcome to the forum, by the way .

[mandi-b3]

lol i`d figured that! But been reading about gaps in them and the chickens getting wet and cold, i`m confused now! Thanks for the welcome btw.

[Redwing]

Eglus and cubes are great of course but if you cant stretch to one do consider the purchase of a decent wooden coop ... look for...

 

A coop that isnt a cheap flatpack import in short

 

These look good value for money but fall apart quickly, door fastenings are poor quality the wood swells and doors dont open etc..

 

Look for one that is treated wood of 12mm or more thickness, tongue and groove or exterior grade plywood, not feather edge boards.

 

Good ventilation in the eaves or toppermost of the sides (too low will cause draughts)

 

A pop hole that slides rather than hinges is good as you can operate those from outside the run

 

Make sure it has proper fastenings (hasp and staple are ideal) on doors and nest boxes

 

with exterior fitted nest boxes ensure that the roof overhang covers their hinges otherwise water will drip from the roof on to the gap and in to the house

 

Perches that are removable will be good for red mite control

 

A floor that is easily cleaned and a big door to allow for cleaning are a good idea (or lift off roof but make sure this fastens down properly and securely

 

Felt on the roof should be avoided if possible as red mite like to hide in the gap between this and the roof, corrugated roofing is good, wood is fine as a roof provided its been treated and there is a decent run off

 

Always assume that the coop advertised will not fit as many chooks as they say, a coop advertised as for 6 would probably house 4 in comfort

 

Ditto the run, a minimum of 1sq metre per bird is required

[Chucky Mama]

I have a cube and my chickens don't get cold or wet They are super easy to clean out which is what appeals to me most.

[Chicktastic]

I started with a Red Go and loved it for a week!!! Still love it and have kept it as a spare! Only reason i moved my chooks to was that i managed to get a bargain when Go was a week old! Would definately recommend either of these, both easy on the eye, easy to clean etc...

 

Only problem with Go is that the run would only be ok for 2 chooks if they don't get regular free ranging time! Omlet apparently are going to make extensions for Go run but not just yet.

 

I had a wooden coop but I'm a bit OCD and prefer Eglu's because IMO they are easier to disinfect!

 

Hope this helps a little! Good luck!!

[chelsea]

I have a cube and my chickens don't get cold or wet They are super easy to clean out which is what appeals to me most.

 

I agree. The eglu & cube are a doddle to clean and dry completely in minutes, I don't have anything against wooden houses (there are some stunning wooden ones out there) but I don't think you could clean and dry a wooden house as well as the eglu.

[docsquid]

I'd definitely go for an Eglu or a Cube. I have three chickens in my cube, and it is fantastic. It keeps them dry and warm. The ventilation holes are there for a reason, and even in the very cold weather there was almost no condensation in the cube.

 

Because the cube is up above the ground, it is very easy to clean out, no bending required. It never smells, and the larger door means you can get into the run and walk about (albeit crouched over) to clean out the run material if you choose to put some down. It is also easier to get in if the chickens move and bury their feeders (which they do!).

 

I visited somebody who had an Eglu and a wooden coop, and despite regular cleaning, the wooden coop always smelled a bit, whereas the Eglu was clean as anything.

 

If you don't go for an Eglu or cube, then you'd be looking to pay a similar amount, I think, for a wooden coop of similar quality.

[Tutti Frutti]

I started with a wooden coop and within 3 months added an Eglu and then 2 months later, another Eglu and fully retired the wooden coop..

 

Yes it was pretty (I painted it pastel blue and cream!), traditional, had all the New England "old charm" and fulfilled my "country-girl" farm fantasy but... it was a pain to keep clean with all the nooks and crannies to harbour nasties . Whereas my purple Eglu is a doddle and I LOVE IT and suits my townie side

[the-real-tinkerbell]

i got a wooden coop 3 weeks ago and it looks very pretty ,however im picking up a cube tomorro

 

they look so much easier to clean and are easier to move round ,im also on the hunt for a cheap eglu now lol

 

bewarned it becomes a obsession lol

[shelley8179]

I had a wooden coop and it was such a pain to clean. I had to convince the hubby we needed a , as he is such a Scrooge, but now we have it even the hubby would recommend the too.

[Lavenders_Blue]

Sorry to buck the trend but I have a wooden coop and I don't find it particularly difficult to keep clean. It doesn't smell either!

 

A dustpan and brush gets all the shavings out and a spray bottle gets poultry shield into the nooks and crannies. Simples!

 

Admittedly I don't have an eglu/cube to compare it to for ease of cleaning, but very happy with my wooden coop!

[Sky]

I am going to buck the trend as well, having weighed up the cost of the Eglu and Cube and having had mine in a Foresham Ark for the last year, we have decided to buy a dog kennel and run (much cheaper than a chicken house) ventilate it and fit it out as a chicken house and build a nice large walk in covered run around it. Works out much cheaper than buying a conventional "chicken shed" and also I will be able to walk into it to clean it out. I will be able to walk in everywhere, sit with the girlies etc etc. We have just got the concrete base for the new house down, kennel and run will be here in a few weeks so girls should be in their new spacious home by May/June hopefully. With the run attached to the dog shed I will be able to separate any sick/feather picked chickens without having to take them away from the rest of the gang. There are so many different options available with this set up (hopefully)

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

I have wooden coops, as couldn't really afford an Eglu Ive found the wooden housing fine so far

[Lizzie50]

I have seen a eco friendly hen house on greenfrog designs - has anyone used these?

[chicken bark]

I have a solway eco hen house and am very happy with it. It is plastic and it is cheaper than alternatives. So far I have found it really easy to keep clean and more importantly the chickens seem happy with it.

 

Pros

1) It has the advantages of being plastic

2) Cheaper than some alternatives

3) 100% recycled house

4) Roomy for 3 chickens

5) Really sturdy

6) Big door on the back of the house so you can reach in to clean easily

7) Has a perch for your chickens (although mine haven't found it yet - they huddle on the floor )

 

Cons

1) Not as pretty as an eglu

2) Door at the end of the run not big enough

3) Some gaps but these might help ventilation (mine has stayed dry despite heavy rain)

4) Quite heavy to move if you have 3 run extensions like I have.

5) It takes two people with 12 arms to attach the run extensions (slight exaggeration)

 

If I could have the plastic hen house of my dreams (well I haven't actually dreamt of them yet) I'd have a cube. If I was going for a wooden one (which I decided against) then I like the look of the ones at Flytesofancy.

 

I can see me ending up with one of everything

 

Hope this ramble helps.

[Lizzie50]

Hi, I had a look at the Solway Eco Hen House and thought it looked good but run seemed small. Thanks for respone though, very helpful.