CatsCube Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Hello All! Well finally looks like I will be getting to have chickens again, after my last plans were scuppered and the planned area was given over to a childrens play house. I have had a major gardening tidy out and rearrange and I have a space to the side of the house on brickweave where I reckon I could stash a few chickens (I will be informing the other half tonight!) So the area is just about 1m x 2 meter, so I thought I would get an elgu or one of these go things, and have it on a platform to make the most of the floor space for them to hop around on, with a full hight run with some perches for them. Will prob look at getting 3 hybrids. The main think I wanted to ask is what are the new go houses like in comparison to the elgu, are they better, I notice they are a touch cheaper, does that make them lower quality or smaller? Which would people recomend. Also can someone remind me of what guage weildmesh I need to look at getting. Cheers m'dears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I started off with a - and really like them. Mega easy to clean, everything comes apart when you want it to (but not when you don't) and the girls were happy....The standard run seemed a bit cramped for 3 hybrids, so I extended that as soon as I could - but then MoreHens disease struck and I bought a cube on ebay.. Haven't owned a classic, so can't compare - just give a really positive review to the go -- and the cheaper price does help. Enjoy your girls when they come - lovely that you can have them after a wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Yes the classic is a bit bigger than the go apparently, for 3 hybrids I would go for the classic. JMO. You must be very excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 Thanks for the advice, goodinparts how many chickens in what sizes did you have in yours? I like the fact its meant to be different plastic, as my gripe with the cube was the porus plastic that ended up always looking filthy, plus I with have a walk in run for it with a small access door for getting eggs and poo trays out, so handy that they are both located together instead of one at the back and one at the side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Hi, I expect youn are really excited. I have had a Go since last July and absolutely loved it, I had five silkies with an extended run but they FR all day from mid morning onwards, the run wouldn't have been big enough otherwise. I really love it as it's so easy to keep clean, came apart easily to pressure wash but went back together again really secure. Plus the girls were really snug in the bad weather this winter. Good luck with whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlotta Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I'd say the Go is comparable in size the Classic... maybe even a bit bigger as it seems to have more useable headroom. The plastic is different, and isn't as heavy duty as the classic, but seems well made. I love that the base is flat in the Go so is perfect for hatching. The nest box is a bit shallower and my small girls prefer the classic nest box, but I could see that it could be a bit snug for big girls - can't imagine an orp fitting in it to lay - but I suspect they'd try. I'd say either would be fine for 3 hybrids the decision is probably down to which would be easiest for you to access in your available space. Not sure 2sqm is really big enough for 3 girls though? Would they get any free range time? Sorry can't really advise on weld-mesh guage... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 Well, Im going on omlets guide for the cube with standard run being suitable for 6 chickens. The footprint is much the same (only mine will have more head room) but yes I will construct a net gate at the end of the drive so they can can come out for a bit of a run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I have a with run and extension with 3 hybrids in it. They have a good amount of room in it and the quality is good in my opinion. I haven't had a Classic to compare but I have heard that the Go is easier to clean as the house pulls apart much easier. I prefer the Classic's grub and glug though, so have those in orange with my yellow Go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megtree Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 19 gauge weldmesh is very commonly used in walk in runs and I've heard no issues with it...however the next thickness up is 16 gauge and might offer a bit more reassurance. The 19G is a bit easier to work with though...good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 I looked at a Go and compared to the classic it did seem more flimsy, it looked easier to clean. I would personally go for a cube, then you will find it easier to expand, if you frequent the forum here you will almost certainly contract morehens disease! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 I would say, if anything, the Go is slightly more roomy due to the shape and therefore extra usable head height. One reason it is cheaper is that it is the only Omlet product produced overseas and is flatpack, making transportation easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 Thanks all, Im opting for the go, and the wir is in progress. Will be housing 2 hybrids and 2 bantams. Although I have just successfully got my own way with the OH and will be gaining more space for breeding purposes so the bantams may well not be spending much time with the other girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 If you're only going to keep them in that small a space all the time I'd only get two hybrids. This is because as a general rule 1 hen should have 1 square metre of space outside, so if they're not free ranging at all it's going to be a bit unfair for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 If you're only going to keep them in that small a space all the time I'd only get two hybrids. This is because as a general rule 1 hen should have 1 square metre of space outside, so if they're not free ranging at all it's going to be a bit unfair for them. Well they wont be in the run too much as they will be free ranging most of the day. Plus as I will be using the pekins for breeding they may not end up living in the go and wir very much. I have tried to cleverly use space in the run and put raised decking platforms creating a second floor to the run with log roll ladders, so lots of room for the girls to move around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Well they wont be in the run too much as they will be free ranging most of the day. Plus as I will be using the pekins for breeding they may not end up living in the go and wir very much. I have tried to cleverly use space in the run and put raised decking platforms creating a second floor to the run with log roll ladders, so lots of room for the girls to move around. Sounds like chook heaven!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 So sorry...wasn't ignoring you - was collapsed in a clapped out clergy post Easter heap.......so haven't been online much! I had 3 hybrids in my go with one extension, and limited FR time and they were fine. Glad you've made the decision and look forward to some pictures when you're sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 So sorry...wasn't ignoring you - was collapsed in a clapped out clergy post Easter heap.......so haven't been online much! I had 3 hybrids in my go with one extension, and limited FR time and they were fine. Glad you've made the decision and look forward to some pictures when you're sorted Same here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Buy British, get a Classic or a Cube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...