Eglu Cube Coop For Sale

[Merlin]

Hi all,

We are just waiting on delivery of our new Eglu Classic, and are then planning to pick up 3 new additions (gingernut rangers) after we have been to our first chicken keeping course in a few weeks.

We are very excited about it, but have a few questions that might seem a bit daft, but we want to make sure we are doing everything right... Sorry if these have been asked a million times before!

 

1) Are the chickens going to be ok without water whilst shut in their Eglu each night? We are assuming they might be in there for about 12 hours (say 7pm to 7am) so will they be thirsty?

2) We wanted to get 3, but is the Eglu definitely big enough for 3? They will be in the run each day apart from weekends, and evenings when we let them out into the garden, so we don't want them to be squashed.

3) Can you use Dettol to clean and disinfect the Eglu, or is there a special cleaner that is safer for chickens?

4) How do we make them a dustbath?

5) Should we be asking about what vaccinations they have had when we buy them?

6) We are in the city (Manchester), so have you any recommendations for food suppliers near by?

7) We have ordered some layers pellets, DE, some grit and bokashi - does that seem ok for now?

 

Thanks very much in advance....

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum, Merlin . All perfectly normal questions which I'll attempt to answer below .

 

1) Are the chickens going to be ok without water whilst shut in their Eglu each night? We are assuming they might be in there for about 12 hours (say 7pm to 7am) so will they be thirsty?

They'll be fine overnight without water.

2) We wanted to get 3, but is the Eglu definitely big enough for 3? They will be in the run each day apart from weekends, and evenings when we let them out into the garden, so we don't want them to be squashed.

The eglu is plenty big enough, it's the run space that's the issue. An extension is a good idea if you know they'll be confined for most of each day. You can add things like perches and logs and hanging fruit/veg to keep them entertained.

3) Can you use Dettol to clean and disinfect the Eglu, or is there a special cleaner that is safer for chickens?

You can use Poultry Shield or a pet spray or just Ecover washing up liquid. A power washer is a great way to get an eglu really sparkling!

4) How do we make them a dustbath?

You don't really need to make one, they'll make their own! You can provide a shallow plastic container like a tubtrug or cat litter tray if you like.

5) Should we be asking about what vaccinations they have had when we buy them?

My breeder (almost) laughed at me when I asked that . Only large breeders tend to vaccinate as it's expensive to do. I wouldn't worry as small flocks are much less likely to have any diseases.

6) We are in the city (Manchester), so have you any recommendations for food suppliers near by?

Can't help you there, I'm afraid .

7) We have ordered some layers pellets, DE, some grit and bokashi - does that seem ok for now?

That's fine. You can add to your supplies as and when you like (the list can seem endless - have a look here - you really don't need much to start off.)

 

Good luck with it all - keep us posted on your progress and your new girls .

[Merlin]

Thanks so much for that - just seem to be so many questions!!

One last thing - do we need to put something like sawdust or straw down for them?

 

Will let you know how it goes when we pick them up, can't wait!

[thegenealogist]

Is your Eglu on paving stones? If it is then it would be good for the hens to have something to scrabble in if they are going to be penned in all week. I wouldn't use sawdust as it'll go soggy, I think people use bark or wood chippings mostly. Straw isn't recommended either as it can harbour mites. I let mine out most days but when I think they'll be in for a few days, say if I'm away for a couple of days, I chuck in a couple of shovelfuls of dead leaves for them to scrabble in. They like finding the bugs.

If your Eglu is on soil the same thing applies really, it'll probably be a good idea to put down bark or wood chippings as they will very soon scratch any grass away and if it rains it'll be a mud bath.

Hope this helps!

I've only had mine since May, you'll find that you pick it up really quickly. Good luck!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Have a look here for some ideas . Horse beddings are really popular - I've used Hemcore and Easibed on top of soil and wouldn't use anything else. You do have to keep the run covered though as they're really absorbant.

[Egluntyne]

Why not have a squint at the **FAQ** section. There is a wealth of info there for new chicken keepers.

[MarkBevBen]

Hi all,

We are just waiting on delivery of our new Eglu Classic, and are then planning to pick up 3 new additions (gingernut rangers) after we have been to our first chicken keeping course in a few weeks.

We are very excited about it, but have a few questions that might seem a bit daft, but we want to make sure we are doing everything right... Sorry if these have been asked a million times before!

 

1) Are the chickens going to be ok without water whilst shut in their Eglu each night? We are assuming they might be in there for about 12 hours (say 7pm to 7am) so will they be thirsty?

2) We wanted to get 3, but is the Eglu definitely big enough for 3? They will be in the run each day apart from weekends, and evenings when we let them out into the garden, so we don't want them to be squashed.

3) Can you use Dettol to clean and disinfect the Eglu, or is there a special cleaner that is safer for chickens?

4) How do we make them a dustbath?

5) Should we be asking about what vaccinations they have had when we buy them?

6) We are in the city (Manchester), so have you any recommendations for food suppliers near by?

7) We have ordered some layers pellets, DE, some grit and bokashi - does that seem ok for now?

 

Thanks very much in advance....

 

 

Hiya Merlin

 

Like you, we're new to chicken ownership and I thought your questions were really good and very helpful to us too! I put a thread up yesterday and I thought my q's sounded really daft, but everyone's so helpful on here.

 

We're taking delivery of our Pink Eglu Classic tomorrow, really looking forward to it and also our lovely three ladies as well.

 

Also like you, I did wonder if it would be big enough for three ladies, but it says 2 to 4 can live comfortably.

 

Looking forward to chatting more from a fellow Newbie! xxx

[MarkBevBen]

Welcome to the forum, Merlin . All perfectly normal questions which I'll attempt to answer below .

 

1) Are the chickens going to be ok without water whilst shut in their Eglu each night? We are assuming they might be in there for about 12 hours (say 7pm to 7am) so will they be thirsty?

They'll be fine overnight without water.

2) We wanted to get 3, but is the Eglu definitely big enough for 3? They will be in the run each day apart from weekends, and evenings when we let them out into the garden, so we don't want them to be squashed.

The eglu is plenty big enough, it's the run space that's the issue. An extension is a good idea if you know they'll be confined for most of each day. You can add things like perches and logs and hanging fruit/veg to keep them entertained.

3) Can you use Dettol to clean and disinfect the Eglu, or is there a special cleaner that is safer for chickens?

You can use Poultry Shield or a pet spray or just Ecover washing up liquid. A power washer is a great way to get an eglu really sparkling!

4) How do we make them a dustbath?

You don't really need to make one, they'll make their own! You can provide a shallow plastic container like a tubtrug or cat litter tray if you like.

5) Should we be asking about what vaccinations they have had when we buy them?

My breeder (almost) laughed at me when I asked that . Only large breeders tend to vaccinate as it's expensive to do. I wouldn't worry as small flocks are much less likely to have any diseases.

6) We are in the city (Manchester), so have you any recommendations for food suppliers near by?

Can't help you there, I'm afraid .

7) We have ordered some layers pellets, DE, some grit and bokashi - does that seem ok for now?

That's fine. You can add to your supplies as and when you like (the list can seem endless - have a look here - you really don't need much to start off.)

 

Good luck with it all - keep us posted on your progress and your new girls .

 

 

Thanks ANH - that's helped us too!

[karena]

I have 3 in an Eglu and have a run extension so it is 3 metres. I think it would be a bit tight without.

 

Pets at Home do chicken stuff I believe if you have a big one there. I live on the edge of a city so I can also go to local suppliers, but the city centre one near me is meant to be good for chicken stuff.

[kinsk]

Not sure where you are in Manchester but Jollyes in Fallowfield do hen food and products.

 

I put chopped straw in the nesting box and wood chip in the run.

 

Agree with looking at getting a run extension, I have one and think it would be a bit cramped otherwise. Mine spend most of the day in the run and then come out for a few hours every evening.

 

Enjoy them.

[Merlin]

Thanks everyone, you have all been really friendly and helpful! Glad I'm not the only one with these questions and they have helped others too.

 

We are definitely buying the extension (going to order it in a minute) as we don't want them to be squashed, as they will be in there for most of the day.

 

 

Thanks again! Will report back when we have them, unless I can think of any more questions!!