Nacktschnecken omlet Cube

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Before you rush out and make roll-up blinds, you'd better read this thread .

 

Re the Easibed, I generally scoop up the poo on a daily basis (and my girls don't sleep in their eglu so no poo there ) so my bedding only gets cleaned out every few months. I bagged it up as my compost bins were full and used it as a mulch for frost protection this winter (which has so far been ridiculously mild ).

[scubababe]

oooooo this is getting more eco by the moment. Thank you soo much for the thread....hmmmm more thought for the fuel

 

P.s I'm up to page 9 now of the 'shre thread'.....how many more pages to go.....

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Your mind will end up spinning and you'll have restless nights dreaming/planning your WIR - I know, I've been there .

[scubababe]

lol....already changing my mind on flooring!!

 

Just been looking on EBay to get some ideas....ooooooooo pretty chookie houses

 

This is not going to be a quick project. I need to do some serious research & costings but it'll be worth it when I get it completely right

[Ain't Nobody Here]

It's definitely worth doing a lot of research to get it right first time . I have to say there's nothing I would change about my WIR (although I have made a few changes to the interior design ).

[scubababe]

This is the view from our garden. The Chicken area is at the bottom of the garden. the area to the right, through the arch is the patio/bar-b-q area and where the cube will eventually be sited.

 

These are the steps leading up to the chicken area.

 

This is on the patio where the cube will be.

 

This is looking into the chicken run over the gate.

 

The area is not square but in a nut shell once redone will produce a run which will be 10ft X 17ft.

 

Lots of work to do....but....ooooooooo...will it be worth it Just need to work out how.

[scubababe]

OK so I've bitten the bullet and sent a quote request to Tony. Due to the size and shape of the area I will definitely sit down when I read it

 

I am getting it clearer in my mind on what I want. Going to visit an Omleteer tomorrow who had Tony build their WIR so that should give me a good idea on what to expect.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Tony made mine (although a friend put it up) - there are a few closeups of my run which might give you an idea of the quality too!

 

Is he back with the company? I thought he'd left! He was very accommodating and even "invented" the stable door after I decided I wanted one .

[scubababe]

Ops!! I just assumed from reading the posts that Tony was still with A4U....oh well

 

I have sent a quote request to A4U so will see what they come back with. Everyone who's had one from them seems pleased with the quality.

 

Yes there are cheaper companies out there but also cheaper quality!!

 

A bit lost on what to do with our current 4ft fence posts as they are concreted in!! Do i leave them and use them or remove them and replace with 6ft posts. (If i DIY)

 

As I'm writing this I know the answer....hard work but they need to be replaced. Shame as they are solid and only just over a year old!! Maybe I can reuse them!! **thinking hat on again**

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Where are the fence posts in relation to where the new run is going? You may be able to work round them - would they make a framework for fixing netting to for a freeranging area outwith the run? Could the run be attached to them for extra stability? Seems a shame to have to remove them if they're so new!

[scubababe]

also, I know you use/have used easibed, have you ever used easichick bedding?

 

Looking at costs for Aubiose V Easibed V Easichick at the moment. They all seem to be pretty similar...might get some of each and see which the cooks prefer

[scubababe]

The fence posts are in all the strategic points for the perimeter of the WIR! Wondering if there is a way I could bracket an extension on them to give me the height I would need? Would it be secure enough to hold a roof? Must admit that would make it a lot easier to build as it would give me my framework

[scubababe]

I've just found post extenders problem solved

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Excellent .

 

Re bedding, I reckon they're all much the same. Just go for what's easiest to source (and cheapest!)

[Mum]

I've just found post extenders problem solved

Fabulous

 

Just a thought: because you are extending upwards (no, you don't need planning permission!), have you considered your neighbours? I know it's your garden, but from the photos it looks like you have surrounding neighbours who may not mind the view of a lower set-up, such as your cube, but may not be quite so tolerant of what is essentially, an aviary style structure? The only reason I mention it is because it is an investment and it is something which you want to get just right - it would sooooo incredibly upsetting and frustrating for you if a neighbour took exception to your WIR set up and began complaining.

 

I'm incredibly fortunate that I only have one immediate neighbour to consider and they are very happy to accept FR eggs in exchange for tolerating/indulging me in my chook passion If I were living in my previous home, there is no way I could have had a WIR with the surrounding neighbours I had there *shudders*.

[scubababe]

Hi mum,

 

Fortunately it's not a problem. The fencing between us and our neighbours is 6ft and our garden is actually a foot lower still so that gives us plenty of growth potential without it extending above the fence line

 

Besides which I would love our neighbour to complain se'en as WE paid to have the fence replaced and it's HIS boundry!! Long story....

[Mum]

Hi mum,

 

Fortunately it's not a problem. The fencing between us and our neighbours is 6ft and our garden is actually a foot lower still so that gives us plenty of growth potential without it extending above the fence line

 

Besides which I would love our neighbour to complain se'en as WE paid to have the fence replaced and it's HIS boundry!! Long story....

Good! That's one thing off you potential problem list

 

Full speed ahead then scubababe!

[scubababe]

Full speed ahead then scubababe!

 

Wish it was....Tax man gets my money next month so it'll have to wait until I can save some more

 

I will start getting things ready and preping/planning so as soon as I have some spare cash I can start buying bits

[scubababe]

A big thank you to fantasticjudyann for showing me around her WIR this morning. It was very informative. I hope my 2 boys didn't put her ladies of laying

 

At least I have a good idea on how it should look and what I need

[Christian]

I have finally had a WIR built! Completely forgot to post pictures

 

 

and inside -

 

 

Plus a handy lean to which is covered -

 

 

It only needs one bale of Aubiose and is working really well so far. The hens weren't too happy about the ladder at first, but are happy with it now.

 

I even have a panel that fits under the 'mezzanine' level and separates the two eglus. Perfect for intros

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That looks fab .

[Plum]

Looks good, love the mezzanine level, very clever

[scubababe]

Love the idea of being able to segregate

 

Well I've just had my quote in for mt WIR £938!!

 

Guess it's going to be a DIY job then

[mampoer]

Hi

Looking to build a WIR this weekend. Looking forward to it but I to have a question about whether frames need bracing across the middle or not and how the wire reacts to no bracing.

 

We are getting 16 gauge 1inch square wire mesh and plan on covering frames measuring 1.9m ht x 1.175m wth but we don't want to have any bracing across the frame as we would like it to be as open as possible.

 

Having a long look at all your photos, there is a definite mixture of WIR's with bracing and without.

 

What's the reasoning for having the bracing; does the frame need the strengthening? is it to support the wire frame or mainly to hang things on?

 

For those without bracing; does the wire sag after a while? would you put bracing in a second time round?

 

Cheers

John & Kirsty

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I can't claim to know much about it as my WIR was built for me (and has bracing) but I don't think you'll find that bracing makes a WIR feel less open. As you say, it's handy to fix things to, especially if you want to have perches and different levels (which is one of the main benefits of having a WIR!)