Sooo much pooping

[Roobaloo]

I currently have two girls in my Classic in a WIR.

 

I intend to introduce two, maybe three, more girls later on (depending on run modifications!)...while some people say 4 in an eglu is fine (they're hybrids but not very big girls) I was contemplating getting a Cube to make sure there was enough room for all...

 

However, now I'm in two minds. Between leaks, holes and other complaints I've been reading about...I'm wondering if I should just get a second Classic...or would the girls still pile into one rather than divide?

 

Getting the Cube would free up more space as the intention was to connect it outside the WIR...but useless if it leaks!!

 

Two Classics would obviously take up more space in the run...but I've had no problems at all with my current one.

 

What would you do?

[Mercedes55]

I'm still very new to keeping hens, but I have the Eglu Classic with 4 hens and they fit in there with no trouble, so if you only have 2 right now I'm sure you could easily double that. I would imagine the only problem would be introducing any new hens to your existing ones. Perhaps you could hire an Eglu for awhile until they are all used to each other

 

I think it's more the space in the run that is important rather than the size of the Eglu itself and although there is only one nest in the Classic it is enough for 4 hens.

[Jools]

I can't comment on the cube or classic question, but ........ I would say go for two smaller houses rather than one big one because you have much more flexibility then when it comes to bringing in new chickens and / or hatching. You could always raise the eglus off the ground so they don't actually take up any floor space.

[Plum]

Cube love mine then they'll have room and keep the eglu for introductions.

[Darren Beaumont]

I am fairly new to chicken keeping and absolutely love my cube. I am sure that the leaking issue is just down to a very small percentage but unfortunately you only tend to hear about the bad experiences on forums rather than the good. The cube gives you so much room and the flexibility to increase your flock later. Plus it comes apart very easily for cleaning. I currently can't fault it.

[Roobaloo]

I can't comment on the cube or classic question, but ........ I would say go for two smaller houses rather than one big one because you have much more flexibility then when it comes to bringing in new chickens and / or hatching. You could always raise the eglus off the ground so they don't actually take up any floor space.

 

I'd still keep my Classic, just in case!!

 

It is currently raised but I keep looking at the space it takes up and thinking that it would be much better as 'floor' space...as it were!! Which is why I was thinking of the cube, so it would be mounted outside (but still fenced in for extra safety!!) and not take up precious space in the run!

 

I'm still very new to keeping hens, but I have the Eglu Classic with 4 hens and they fit in there with no trouble, so if you only have 2 right now I'm sure you could easily double that. I would imagine the only problem would be introducing any new hens to your existing ones. Perhaps you could hire an Eglu for awhile until they are all used to each other

 

I think it's more the space in the run that is important rather than the size of the Eglu itself and although there is only one nest in the Classic it is enough for 4 hens.

 

I'm confident they'd all fit in a Classic but would it be better to have more space in one house..? Run is currently fine for 4 hens (just over 4m squared) and I'm planning to make extra shelves, walk-ways and perches to give them as much space as possible.

 

Intros aren't an issue as I have a make-shift hutch and run for the new girls.

[Lydia]

I'd say get another eglu. I made the mistake of getting a cube but really really wish I'd got a third eglu instead.

 

I simply loathe my cube. It's doesn't leak or anything and works as it should. However, it's known as the big blue blob on the patio and is not very asthetically pleasing.

 

I find the roof very very heavy to take off to clean properly and even heavier to replace on my own so that's a two person job here. I also find my back suffers when I clean the cube - whereas when I cleaned the eglus I squatted down to clean them, with the cube I have to bend down to clean it and really suffer the next day. Plus I find that I can dismantle, clean, dry and put back together 2 eglus on my own in the same time it takes to clean one cube with hubby, so no time saving for us.

 

The ladder we ditched a long time ago because my lot didn't get it so hubby built a better one.

 

In addition, although the marketing says it has space for 3 chickens to lay, unfortunately no-one told the chickens that so there is often a horrendous queue and much squawking to get in. We tried putting an eglu in the run as an additional nesting box but mine are too dim to get that I'm afraid! Plus, come bedtime they either all bunked up in the eglu (11 chickens!) or we had 10 in one and 1 billy no mates in the other.

 

We've put up with the big blue blob for 2 years now but it hasn't grown on me at all. The only thing in its favour is that it can house more chickens and has housed up to 13. Since we only rescue ex-batts this gives more girls a chance and frees up an eglu for intros (plus I can help out others sometimes too).

 

In your situation, if you only want another 2-3 chickens you'd be better off with an eglu in my opinion.

[Roobaloo]

Thanks Lydia - You comment about it being a two-man job to clean the Cube has really made me think twice about it.

 

I have a bad back and bending/stooping is torture for me...and as my OH is scared of chickens ( ) I promised him that the girls would be my responsibilty and he wouldn't be left with the task of cleaning up after them too (we have a few animals and he does all the heavy lifting for me) so if a Cube is difficult for one person, then it's a definite no for me.

 

[Mercedes55]

I hadn't realised that the Cube would be hard to clean either, you just assume that as it's up higher it will all be much easier. I can't even clean out the Eglu on my own as I can't lift the top off. Luckily my other half is as keen on the hens as I am so he doesn't mind giving me a hand

[Patricia W]

I've got the opposite experience to Lydia. I've got 2 cubes and 2 eglus's and find the cubes much, much easier to look after. I find bending down to the eglu much more of a pain.

 

How about going to visit someone with a cube and seeing it first hand? They might even let you clean it out for them!

 

Tricia

[jess1merlin]

I don't have a problem cleaning my cube out on my own, I find it quite easy as I don't have to get down on my hands and knees. I think it would be a good idea to visit someone who already has a cube so that you can get an idea of what is involved. Where abouts are you?

[Roobaloo]

My Classic is raised up on a fairly high table so I don't have to bend to do anything with it....so it's the weight that concerns me most...though, bending and twisting would also be an issue depending how high/low it sits.

 

They might even let you clean it out for them!

 

I know I wouldn't hesitate if someone wanted to view my Eglu by cleaning it out!!

 

I'm based in Bedfordshire...I've had a look at the Forum post but none of the members with Cubes to view seem to visit anymore (had a look at the profiles and their last visit was a while ago...!)

[Patricia W]

Well- I'm in Oxfordshire so that's a bit far for you. Maybe if you put out a post for someone in Bedfordshire willing to let you vist? Or contact Barbara at Omlet on Monday as she may know of members there.

 

Tricia

[the-real-tinkerbell]

i have both and love both , my cube is on the outside of my WIR like this

excuse the garden i had only been here 2 weeks run went up before the kids beds lol

 

and i have my £100 ebay bargin

 

 

i think they both have there plus sides but i must say i find the cube easier to clean ,i pull it away from the run take the back and roof off then attack it with the hospipe im single so i do it alone (well i wish the kids would leave me to do it alone lol ) bi guess its a matter of what will work best for you in the long run ? are you planning on more hens what would you do if you had a sick hen ect ect .

 

lots to think about really . im looking at getting some silkies and must admit im thinking about a go to add to my omlet village lol

Edited July 25, 2010 by Guest

[the-real-tinkerbell]

oh and your welcome to come and visit my cube and have a go at cleaning it out leave it a couple of weeks tho as i did a full clean this morning lol

[Chucky Mama]

@ cube cleaning being a 2 people job. I don't have a problem cleaning the cube on my own You don't have to take the roof off (or am I missing something?) For me the cube is very straight forward to clean out. It takes about 10-15 mins if that. I wash it out and spritz the corners with some spray for mites (never seen any) and Bob's your uncle. I do however wonder if an Eglu might be perfectly sufficient for you.

[Tutti Frutti]

I had 2 Eglus but p-ex'ed one (plus cash!) for a cube and I LOVE my cube.

 

For the two Eglus, I tried stacking them on a purpose-built trolley but struggled with cleaning and emptying the poo tray of the bottom one - plus I lost floor space. So then I tried them side by side on a dining table - but whilst I regained the floor space, they were heavy to spin around to empty the poo tray - I struggled in my little WIR. Plus the L-shape of the poo tray always bugged me as ended up with more poo on the floor than in the compost bin

 

The cube is on wheels so it gives plenty of floor space and tons more sleeping space (plus 2 of my girls sleep on the roof!!!!). The poo trays are regular rectangles so I line them with newspaper, which I whip out quickly and replace every morning so no flies in the cube BUT... the only drawback is that my girls hate sharing the nest box so end up queueing and yelling at each other . As for the ladder, they hop up on an Ikea stool and then hop sideways into the door instead. I don't know if it leaks as it's inside my WIR (don't fancy emptying Aubiose outside when it's wet and/or windy...).

 

I've kept one Eglu and run for intros/hospital

[Lydia]

@ cube cleaning being a 2 people job. I don't have a problem cleaning the cube on my own You don't have to take the roof off (or am I missing something?)

 

You do if you want to get poultry shield into the tightest of corners. And I prefer to get it into the tightest of corners about 4 weeks.

 

Cube cleaning is not a 2 person job - I never said that, please don't quote out of context. I said that getting the roof off is difficult. I'm not saying you can't get the roof off on your own - you can but it's a struggle (for me anyway, and I consider myself fit and reasonably healthy). It's an even bigger struggle to get it back on because you not only have to lift you also have to twist awkwardly to get it on the top. Some people struggle with that. It's great that you don't.

[Plum]

If you're finding the roof difficult then it may help to adjust the brackets that the roof locates into to make it easier.

[Chucky Mama]

I was actually not quoting you out of context. I was quoting Roobaloo

Thanks Lydia - You comment about it being a two-man job to clean the Cube has really made me think twice about it.

To clarify - I personally am fortunate enough not to require 2 people to remove the roof of my cube. It is quite heavy to completely remove and is a bit of a balancing act to get back on but this is not something I do that often. The roof would not stop me advising someone else to get a cube although to review fully I guess it is sensible to mention

[Egluntyne]

I use a squirty bottle to get the Poultry Shield into the tightest of corners, and an assortment of brushes, including a long thin bottle brush. Never had any problems ... and I never remove the roof.

[Cinnamon]

Me neither - would never have occurred to me to remove it

[Roobaloo]

My problem is that I had surgery on my spine (a few years back, bones are now good but my muscles are still pathetic!!) ...if the roof doesn't need to be removed, then it would work...if there is a likelihood of having to lift it regularly, I may struggle. I can carry a 20kg but struggle to lift it off the ground, I can't hold much weight away from my body...which may be an issue putting the roof back in place...

 

I guess it all depends on just how heavy it is...and how high it needs to be lifted!!

 

Back to being torn again!!

[Chucky Mama]

In 2 years of having my cube I have removed the roof once. You can slide it so far forward that you don't really need to take it off. I don't think it would be a bit issue for you. You could always pop along to someone on the list and have a look before deciding. The roof wouldn't be a deal breaker for me

[CatieB]

Although I'm fairly new to this I agree that the roof shouldn't be a deal breaker.

 

I find the cube very easy to clean on my own and I just move the roof forward too. I use a squirty bottle and brushes to get in the crevices and it is so quick.... or maybe I'm not as fastidious as others