JohnP Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 I'm getting used to the Eglu very quickly. One thing that has struck me about the design, though, is the less-than-optimal positioning of the poo tray. Our chickens sleep cuddled together at the back of the Eglu. This means that lots of the poo tends to be at that end. And quite a bit tends to miss the tray proper and land on the handle section - which causes it to run out and land outside the Eglu. And that means that the clip and handle are pooey, which isn't nice when I want to clean it out! Has anyone else found this, and has anyone any suggestions? The Eglu isn't especially tipped back, I don't think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 I have the same problem. I make sure that when I've cleaned I put plenty of hemcore along that edge to soak up any mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Same here - I just sprinkle the same on the roosting bars, tray and ledges, it all helps (You soon learn to wear gloves ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 The only other thing you can do is line the back of the eglu with extra newspaper going up the wall of the eglu - to catch any mess. You have to do this afterwards thru the egg port. Bit of a pain, but it stops any splatters! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 That's a good idea Hunnypie - I have the same problem with my eglu, but then I always wear gloves when I'm cleaning it out. You're right John, it does happen, although I'm not too sure how the design could be altered to stop that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 I find a healthy bundle of straw at the back helps (but doesn't solve) this problem. Aubiose will make it less icky though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnP Posted May 8, 2007 Author Share Posted May 8, 2007 Thanks for the replies - I'm glad to see it's not just me! I'm using Aubiose in the tray, so I could pile some onto the back, too, or use a sheet of paper. Good idea, that! As to the design, I don't quite see why the top of the tray folds over as far as it does - it creates a pocket that serves no function AFAICS, while creating a problem. I guess that the idea is to make it easier to hold (with a wide handle) but the poo problem over-rides that, to me! Still, it's a minor inconvenience compared with most chicken houses out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 ...As to the design, I don't quite see why the top of the tray folds over as far as it does - it creates a pocket that serves no function AFAICS, while creating a problem.... I wonder if it's to make it less "grabbable" for a fox. If it had no lip there it would only need to be sticking out a couple of mm to get hooked by a paw. The pocket takes away that vulnerability I think.... But I know what you mean about the poo. Although mine make a mess turning the other way and, in mark one, miss the tray altogether with the mess going through the mesh under the Eglu, making it hard to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Mine sleep at the back too but I don't have this problem I wonder if that's because I have a Mark I ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Mine sleep at the back too but I don't have this problem I wonder if that's because I have a Mark I ?? I have a mark II but dont have the above problem Red. one of my chickens sleeps in the nest box and the other sprawls out on the bars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Definitely marigolds! Couldn't do it without Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Definitely marigolds! Couldn't do it without You took the words out of my mouth Snowy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Mine poo on a mixture of the roosting bars and in the tray, never had a problem with the tray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 I've not had a problem with this either - I've had an occasional solid poo that I just knock into the tray with my trusty paint s"Ooops, word censored!"er but never anything 'running out' . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnP Posted May 9, 2007 Author Share Posted May 9, 2007 I'm sure that the runniness is just because they're new, and their guts will settle down soon enough. It's still icky, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Try live yoghurt on them that might help to settle their little tums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Louise is right. For the past fornight every so often mine have bio yoghurt with a scattering of porridge oats in it....in the hot weather they love it and Ella's pooey bum is much improved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
