Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[JS1]

Thinking of getting a Cube (it had to happen) to replace my original wooden house which is such a pain to clean, especially as it gets older. Got a couple of reservations, though, so wondered what people's experience was.

 

1) Do hens find the ladder hard to negotiate? It looks a bit difficult to me and they're not the brightest - also, I'll hopefully be getting more ex-batts in the next year or so, and, although they'll go into the Eglu Classic for 'rehab', I'm concerned about how they'd manage once they join the flock.

 

2) I'm in wet and windy Highland Perthshire. Currently my houses are on the ground and have survived the really horrendous gales we've had this year and last. I'm a bit worried that the Cube might go up up and away or at least tip over.

 

Would love it if people could reassure me (or even warn me) on these points. Thanks

[stehaggan]

I was worried about them climbing up the ladder too and put a Huge pebble under it to give them a bit of a step but they were really clever and just jump up and climb up it.

 

The cube is really heavy, I havent had any problems with it blowing over but im not where you are and im sure your winds are stronger. Whay you could maybe do is somehow peg it down to the floor because it does have bars accross the floor where the wheels are - maybe an idea?

[counturchickens]

I've got ex batts, after their rehab managed the ladder fine, I've got a big stone at the bottom too. They are really quite heavy, more than you might think!

[Olly]

It would have to be a very strong wind ... the Cube is indeed quite heavy. I'm sure if you look under the Products button you can probably find the weight somewhere, but it would not be blown over easily.

 

Most hens get the hang of the ladder quite quickly, but if you search around on here you will find people who have modified it, added extra steps, lengthened it etc or just made their own with a bit of old floorboard. My hens are in an Eglu on a table inside a WIR, at a similar height - I sometimes find that their ramp has fallen on the floor but they have still managed to go to bed, they just flap up on to the table with a bit of wing-power. Ex-batts might need a bit of help at first.

[JS1]

Thank you very much. Will order after I've saved up following July's tax bill (not sure if that merits a or a !)

[Guest]

I had my cube delivered yesterday, hubby will be helping me to get it into chicken garden tonight. I will let you know how the chickens get on with the ladder, have to say I don't like the ladder at all and will wither make my own ramp or put a step next to ladder.

 

I shall give you a full report at some point tomorrow

[Egluntyne]

I put an old tree stump at the base of my ladder to give them a 'leg up' until they had got the hang of it, which didn't take long. I agree ... ex batts might struggle with the ladder, until they have got their strength back.

[JS1]

Thanks - I wonder what the design rationale is behind the 'hingy' ladder. Maybe to discourage mice?