Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Mrs Potts]

Hi, Everyone.

 

Still can't quite believe it but OH - bless him - has saved secretly and said it'd be ok to buy a cube. Amazing.

Finances are somewhat slender, so even more amazing is the fact that I have said no and have opted for a walk in run as it costs a little less (wouldn't want him to think I was completely ungrateful about his thoughtfulness).

 

Actually, we have had a chat about it and we've only got three hens and will never have more than four. They are a bit old and I'm not wildly enthused about them plonking up the ladder or me bending down to get into a Cube . They snuggle really nicely inthe Classic and we think they would rattle about upstairs in a cube. I know, in the wild it would be wind, rain and tree canopy, but hey ho.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts on the one that the Classic opens straight on to the WIR, or the model which allows a bit of Classic run then fixes to the WIR? I never thought I would be in a position to send an email like this - eeeek!

 

[chestnutmare]

Personally, and this is just me, I would get the WIR that fits the Eglu directly on to it. I imagine the Eglu run would be tricky/a pain to clean attached to the WIR. But I could be wrong!

Lucky you!

[Chicken shack]

I think that's a great idea. I have a with 3 extentions. It looks like a train. I bought it just befor the WIR came on the market. It is quite difficult to crawl round in and does my back in. I am now saving for the WIR. I will attatch my cube train to it and use the door on the side making access easier to the train. You could put the in side your WIR on a platform so that you don't have to bend. Why not put the extra cash toward the WIR extension.

[Minty_76]

Wow lucky you! I am also thinking of saving for an Omlet WIR. Good point about having the classic inside the run on a platform as it would save space and also you wouldn't have to bend down to empty the droppings tray. I think a WIR would make everything much easier as I am also finding the classic run a nightmare to clean out. I have an attached run cage thing at the moment but it's not fox-proof. Must start saving.

[Mrs Potts]

Well, that made us have a rethink but thanks to all three of you for your thoughts 'cos we took you up on them.

 

WIR and extension now ordered, so the Classic can go on a platform. It will be here next week - really excited. Hope all the bits and boxes arrive. Need a tarp, woodchip, platform, ladder thingy ... Christmas has come really early! Mr Potts, you are an

 

I will post a photo when it is all done, befores and afters.

 

[Cheeky Chooky]

Hello Mrs Potts I'm looking at buying the Omlet WIR and found your thread on my search! Could you tell me what you think of it and do you have any photos?

[Mrs Potts]

Hi, Cheeky.

 

Have only just seen your post so sorry for delay in replying. I have three ex battery hens, collected in July 2010, and although I know the Classic set up was an improvement for them, the WIR has pretty much done the same for them again, but included me this time too. Apologies for the long post and sorry if it breaks any posting rules.

 

Positives

- It is a nice design, light and airy, easy to keep clean and blends in with the garden in the summer. It has a couple of clear tarps on it now and is surrounded with Linkabord, which was easy too, and filled it with woodchip. I'm not practical so it isn't on slabs, but the hens get a chance to eat worms.

- It is fine to erect on your own if you take time to lay it all out/read instructions first. I found it easier to put the whole thing up than to clip the Classic 4m run together sometimes, to be honest. Just be careful to choose a flat area.

- Access to hens is great: I can sit inside now and hand feed them but more important for me take time to listen to their breathing as the days get colder, looking over them is much, much easier and when it comes to the VET, there is nowhere to hide. Hett used to hunch half way up the Classic 4m run - nightmare!

- Cleaning: very easy either inside or out of the WIR. I don't have a pressure washer, simply scrub like mad. Easy to fling Stalosan around the WIR.

- Food: great you can still hang grubs and glugs on the mesh where you need to, and with the extension there are two, not just one, hooks you can hang feeders from, or treats to peck at. Much easier for me to change grubs and glugs which is better for the hens, who have hung up treats to chase around the run.

- Last, something you cannot measure but I think it has made a difference to the hens and their quality of life. I have put together a low perch from logs and branches, only about a foot and a half off the ground, with steps otherwise Hett would not make it to the top. They are all more physically active now, and do practice jumps up and down the logs, flapping across the run and just seem more alert than they used to be.

 

Negatives

- Expensive considering our income - WIR + Linkabord + woodchip + tarps - but I don't go out and don't have any other hobbies. I can re-use the woodchip on the garden, I'll never have to buy the rest again and touch wood, no maintenance on the WIR and red mite risk is lessened.

- Packaging: inadequate for the size and weight of the panels inside, though Omlet are good at sending out replacements promptly

- Sparrows: we now foster about 30. Am expecting their population to boom next year, benefitting from Garvo feed and regular Flubenvet pellet worming. However, the hens free range around the garden so I am sure would come into contact anyway.

 

OH did take some photos last week but they are still on the camera. As soon as I can get them up, will post again.

 

Mrs P.

[Cheeky Chooky]

Hello Mrs P Thank you so much for replying The info you've given me is great and confirms all the good things I'd hoped the WIR would be! Would love to see your pics too

 

I took the plunge and ordered the WIR and the 1m extension, and I've booked delivery and an Omlet man to assemble it for me on 2nd Dec...I can't wait! The price is very high but I figure it'll last for years...I also think it'll look better in the garden than a wooden one (been there, done that ).

 

I'm trying to work out what size tarp I need to cover it and maths isn't my strongest point What size have you got? I thought it would be a good idea to have the tarp covering the roof and coming down the sides a bit too?

[fluffy chick]

You won't regret getting it, I love mine. I have built a wee climbing frame out of branches in mine too which the chickens are getting the hang of now.

 

I got glass clear tarp which is working well. I originally got 2x6 meters which covered the top and two sides. Then I got the extension so wish I had got the 3 x 6 meters Having said that I had to have the door on one side panel anyway so couldn't have rolled it down on that side anyway.

[Cheeky Chooky]

I can't wait...the run with the eglu classic, even though it's extended, is just such a nightmare to get anything into, including yourself! So how much of your run is covered? Have you got any photos?

[Mrs Potts]

Hope this works - have tried to put themi in a set but am not great at this so let me know if it doesn't work.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16058450@N05/sets/72157628070224507/with/6371711405/

 

Mrs Potts

 

I've edited your link to lead to your Flickr set - ANH

Edited November 20, 2011 by Guest

[Mrs Potts]

Apologies, the link works if you cut and paste it.

I decided not to put the Classic on a platform in the end, purely because Hettie finds getting up on the perch difficult enough when she is thinking an egg into existence, which she does by standing still for about two days before laying. She had egg problems earlier this year, so I can't make her life difficult. We managed to get a shot of Hettie when she was in slow mode. We have about fifty photos of the other two, either blurred or with body parts missing as they race out of shot.

Although the Classic looks big in the photo/makes run look smaller, it was at an angle facing into the middle of the run, so there really is more space than the run they had. Next year I will try to buy a panel that will allow me to put the Classic outside the run. If Omlet don't sell the panels separately, it won't be a problem.

Mrs Potts

[Mrs Potts]

PS Thank you for fixing the link, ANH.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

My pleasure . Lovely garden you have there and the WIR looks fab . It's bigger than I'd imagined .

[jasperaliceuk]

This was my WIR I set up last month. Delightful to have so much more room for the chickens than the Go run and so much easier to maintain. Blends in well with the garden and we have very happy chickens. I've put up branches too but to be honest their favourite perching point is a plastic garden chair.

 

I bought a Clear Tarp for the top and I've cobbled two metre wide panels from a shower curtain which I cut in half - fastened the tops with bungees and then turned up the bottom with some duck tape -threaded through a bamboo pole, cup a couple of small slits and tied it to the bottom. Not sure how long it will last but it seems to be fairly wind resistant. I've just bought a couple of the reduced Omlet covers which will make good windbreaks too.

 

 

 

Sue

[Cheeky Chooky]

Thanks guys The photos are fab! I'm even more excited now! The Link-a-Board is a great idea...if I order a pack now (1 pack should do it shouldn't it?) hopefully the nice Omlet man will help me with that at the same time?

[Mrs Potts]

You'll have to ask him, but it is really easy stuff to set up if he won't.

When I ordered the Linkabord, it was for the Classic I had, just about six weeks before OH suggested buying a WIR, so I figured out on paper how much I would need to go round a 4m run + Classic + door opening space + poo tray removal + corners + joining bits +pins + caps ... then rang Linkabord who did the measuring sums and worked out all the extras for me. I asked about delivery and they said five working days, but it arrived the next day. Really helpful.

I'm just working out what to do with the extra bits I have got.

[Cheeky Chooky]

Thanks ever so much Mrs P, your advice is very much appreciated

[fluffy chick]

great pics