Feeder doors keep closing when I walk away

[hopetofinish]

Having looked at numerous websites for ages, I am undecided as to the best accomodation for the chickens we are hoping to get.

 

We live in a town, and I was hoping to get 2/3 chickens.

 

Would really appreciate some advice. If money wasn't really an option which omlet product would you recommend. I would keep the chickens on bark or something similar, and only allow them to free range if I was in the garden as we have a fox that likes to visit. I would like the chooks to have enough room, so my gut feeling is to go for the cube with the 3m run. Is that excessive?

 

Many thanks

 

HTF

[Mollie333]

I'd get the cube, that means, if you do get three chooks you could add more at a later date. Or, the Eglu is amazing, and the run is actually bigger than it looks, but unless you have a Walk In Run, three hybrid type chickens wouldn't fit, without a run extension, or even supervised Free Range time.

 

Goodluck and welcome to Omlet!

[Mollie333]

Also i reccomend getting three chickens, as then if one actually passes away/falls ill, then you wont be left with a lone hen.

[hopetofinish]

Thank you Mollie for the reply and the welcome.

 

My 2/3 ratio was worked out in case of mishap!

[Mollie333]

I'd go for three .

 

Hope to see you on here more, and welcoming you to the addictive hobby of chicken-keeping!

[Bramble]

Im very new to this forum too. I agonised for ages about what house to get (SO wish I'd found this forum sooner!) I have an eglu classic, which I have to say is much bigger than I thought it would be - all the photos make it look quite small I think. It seems fairly idiot proof so far and is certainly no problem at all to keep clean. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an eglu classic (haven't tried a cube or go) but I am planning to buy a run extension so that the girls have more space when I am out at work. Happy shopping!!!

[Heidi-Hi]

Welcome! I would definately go for a cube, because believe me, you will never stick to 2/3 chickens! If you are adament though about your numbers, a go or classic will be perfect, otherwise your girls might be feeling like they are rattling away in a mansion (cube). Good luck and happy shopping... The house is just the start...

[Mercedes55]

Welcome

 

We've had our hens for nearly 4wks now and have the Eglu Classic with the standard run. The coop itself is great, plenty of room and easy to clean. However I'm not very keen on the run as it's difficult to clean in my opinion anyway. If money were no object I would go for a Cube as I do agree that most people increase their flock quite quickly. I also like the WIR as that means you can walk into the run and actually stand up and clean it out, rather than try to crawl through the door of the Eglu run, which is not pleasant at all

[Christian]

Mercedes, are you able to lift the eglu and run and place it to one side for a clean out?

 

My 2 eglus and on slabs, with aubiose in the runs. I lift the eglu and run, move it aside and then rake/scoop up the dirty bed. Sprinkle stalosan f down and put the eglus/runs back, fill with aubiose and I'm done.

 

Welcome to the forum, hopetofinish!

 

You could always start with an eglu classic and get a cube later.....?

[Bramble]

I would agree with the other posters that access to the run is not great - a door in the side would help tremendously (if anyone at omlet is reading!!!) and I know that this will become more of a problem when I get an extension (to the run, I mean). It also seems like eglus "hold their value well" (sound like a second hand car salesman, don't I!) so if you go for a Classic or Go, then want to upgrade to a Cube you shouldn't have any problem selling your hens first home!?

[scarlettohara]

The only problem with buying an eglu and then buying a cube is that you never sell the eglu I started with 3 chickens and a go in March, I now have a WIR with cube, separate eglu and 12 chickens

[Egluntyne]

You could always start with an eglu classic and get a cube later.....?

 

 

Excellent advice!!

 

This is what I did.

[greyhoundgirl]

I went for a Cube (even though Christian likened it it a caravan!!) I have 4 hens but bought the Omlet fencing so they are confined to one area of the garden as when they were totally free ranging they cause mass destruction; and keeping them in the run full time felt too small to me.

Also the Cube gives them some rain cover in our British summer!

[Christian]

I went for a Cube (even though Christian likened it it a caravan!!)

 

In the nicest possible way. A romany caravan I believe I said? (Just you wait Greyhoundgirl )

[greyhoundgirl]

I don't remember the word Romany!! I think it was something else.. ehmmmm let me think!

[chuckmum6]

Go for a cube, they are soooo easy to clean out and much kinder on your back, you can pick them up second hand for around £300. The Eglu is good, I have one for my chicks and will be then converting it into a 'piglu' for my elderly guinea pigs. It is harder to clean out because of the limited access and it lower down - still good and you could pick up a classic/mk 2 for £200. Both are good because they are plastic and you can really keep them clean easily.

[hopetofinish]

Thanks for all your replies. This is sooo interesting.

 

I drove out to Surrey Poultry today, and was quite disappointed with the site. They have just moved, so are probably just establishing themselves again. Certainly they didn't have any chicken houses that I would buy.

 

My sister keeps chickens and hers have a run about half the size of my garden! She said that the price of the omlet products were amazingly expensive, and that I should convert the children's old wooden wendy house. We had chooks as kids, and anything that is easy to clean is worth the money. Plastic = hot soapy water. I couldn't let mine free range all the time, and I am now worried that it would be cruel to keep them mainly in the cube with its run. Really not sure hubby will go for a huge WIR either. Obviously need to work my charms

 

Neighbours have chooks and they seem to be in a relatively smallish run, and as she has just had her garden landscaped there is no way they are roam and scratching in that.

 

I think its important not to rush this

 

Really wanted to get down to Golden Valley Poultry, but the A3 was chocker. It would be nice to see the eglu before purchasing. Not sure they stock the cube, and the answer phone just clicks in when I ring.

[Christian]

Not sure whereabouts you live, but have you looked at this thread?

 

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1163

[hopetofinish]

Since posting, I have found out that a neighbour is ordering a cube!!

 

I think I will hold back and wait for her's to arrive and have a good look.

 

Thanks for all the advice.