chickenlass Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I have to say that I am disappointed with the quality of the Omlet larger shade I purchased to give protection to the chickens in wet weather. It just isn't waterproof at all!! I know its raining hard today but even in showers the water just drips through...the girls are soaked. I have been intending to fit a shower curtain over the top as Claret has done but haven.t been able to get chance yet....looks as If this is another job for the weekend... Last weekend we made a a surround for the eglu and put wood chips in for them. Sent OH for wood chippings and he came back with Redwood bark chippings which have been stained and when wet leave pink all over the girls legs.... They look like a rare breed of Red legged something other!! [i could scream] The dye is harmless but I wonder if I am going to fing a few pink eggs when I crack them open? ThinkI will try and spray a waterproof repellent onto the shad cover if it ever dries out. Hs anyone else tried this.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Hiya - oh heck it's annoying when the chippings get wet. Mine are on easy bed nowadays - less mulchy & drier. But I know if I've left the shower curtain off & it rains whilst I'm out, it really is annoying as all the lovely fresh easy bed stuff gets all wet & the chooks don't like sitting down on it then! I'd recommend getting a shower curtain £2.99 from Woolworths - called silver stars. It's clear with silver stars on. I hold mine on with a couple of stretchy bungey thingys. Works a treat! Good luck, Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Haven't got the omlet shade because shower curtains do the job for me - and so cheap! I leave mine on the run, folded in half, permanently - but unfold it to cover the whole run when it rains hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I have got water in my Eglu today, at the side near the nesting box All the newspaper I put in to line the tray is soggy. I can't understand why though, because my Eglu is quite sheltered on the Eggport side, it is up against the garden fence. There are some of my neighbour's lovely lilac trees overhanging it, but they are useful as they usually keep the ground dry for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Advice to everyone: Do NOT buy a shade unless you have to. When I asked about a longer shade for my Cube, Johannes said to wait, as they were designing something new and much better. You will then be able to buy a better type of shade, or wait till all the faded old shades appear for sale at knock-down prices. I wish the Cube run had a circular hole in the top, as I rather fancy putting a garden umbrella through the middle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I wish the Cube run had a circular hole in the top, as I rather fancy putting a garden umbrella through the middle. I love that idea Gallina, although I could see it taking off in high winds I heard something vague about new shades too - mine are both in tatters and held on only by the IKEA shower curtains over them. Do you think they will be new shades for the eglu as well as the cube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Well I hope they consider better waterproof qualities too in the new shades.... I do hope they make them for Eglu and Cubes though. Anyhow have been an purchased some tarpailin now as a quick fix for today...have also bought a reduced shower curtain which I will fit tomorrw if a little drier. [its goldfish on it I hope the chickens won't mind] lol I hope you can find out how the water is getting into your Eglyu itself JulesH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 am laughing at goldfish on the shower curtain!!! praps your chooks will turn into herons or something?! ours is boringly opaque, I feel the need to get somethign a little more decorative now. we have the eglu sunshade (came with it), but shower curtain and bungees seem to do the trick effectively and cheaply. Gallina - if you put the parasol up will you also provide them with deckchairs?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I have no problem with my winter shade. Its perfectly waterproof if a little faded. I use that as well as a transparent shower curtain as I have the extension as well. The curtain is good as it allows light in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 How do you stop your chickens from EATING the shower curtain - mine have ruined 2 so far. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I reckon that the long shade for the cube run (being rectangular, and probably only covering the top) will also be ideal for the Eglu run, as it is more important with the narrower run that it also comes down the sides a bit. (Remember that the run of the standard Eglu is the same length as the run of the Cube with one extension. Omlet are aware that the material they use at the moment fades to a dreary brownish colour and there is going to be something better. But I do find that it is waterproof and if you have it out of the sun it survives quite a long time: my original Omlet summer cover has been on for two years and does not seem to have deteriorated except in looks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 But I do find that it is waterproof and if you have it out of the sun it survives quite a long time: my original Omlet summer cover has been on for two years and does not seem to have deteriorated except in looks. Makes me think that perhaps there is something wrong with mine as the smaller one seems OK against water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 am laughing at goldfish on the shower curtain!!! praps your chooks will turn into herons or something?! Gallina - if you put the parasol up will you also provide them with deckchairs?! Lol at that thought ! Will try and post a picture of the fishy Eglu cover when it is on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Mine are pretty scruffy now and I need to do something about them. What I've wondered about the shower curtain is does it not get very stuffy inside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Are these thicker than 'normal' shower curtains ? As I said, mine have started to eat both the covers I've put on. They were cheap so thats not an issue, but it can't be healthy to eat that quatity of plastic ? Are your covers directly on the run - I was thinking of trying to peg then to the groud - a bit like a tent fly sheet - so they couldn't reach it H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 mine is just laid over the top and secured with 2 bungees joined together at the eglu end. at the other end, I made a hole in it and used the sunshade hook to hold it down. so far, they havent eaten it... I also wondered about stuffiness, and think I will keep it folded back as someone suggested unless it is actually raining (mine are out inside Omlet fencing anyway, but am sure it must be better for the grass in the run). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkleeeeee Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 i am glad this topic came up as i was just about to buy a winter cover and extension cover off omlet, i am interested in what other things people are using instead, i might go and investigate some canvas tarp. we had one over the top of the windmill to protect the new floorboards untill the roof is built, it kept blowing off and it must be somewhere down the yard. it would be too big but i might try getting a smaller one with eyelets to thread bungees through. it was really hardwearing and i think they are breathable and waterproof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I wouldnt use tarp in the winter as the chooks need as much natural light as possible. The best thing is cheap clear plastic shower curtain. The camping and caravanning club magazine has an advert for clips that would make excellent bungee replacements - I just cant find it at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkleeeeee Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 you are right jaime, i didnt think about the light in the winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatefudge Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I know what you mean about shade. Mine seem to fall to pieces after about a year or get picked to bits by the local magpies. I have just made one out of a garden table cover bought from Tesco for £10 and have made two winter size shades. It's still dark green (blends in nicely) but has a nice waterproof backing. I just fitted some eyelets and saved old elastic and hooks off my old shade, so far so good, although early days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Ikea clear plastic shower curtains - 99p I bought 4 last time I was there, so doesn't matter if they don't last too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KTee Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 The camping and caravanning club magazine has an advert for clips that would make excellent bungee replacements - I just cant find it at the moment Go Outdoors the walking/camping outdoor gear shop has a caravanning section with lots of clips, covers and bits and bobs that can be used. Trouble is their stores are few and far between but worth a look if one is near you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sallyhennypenny Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 I too was very disappointed with this shade. It has completely disintegrated over the 18 months I've had it and totally unusable now. I contacted Omlet about this, hoping, that they believed in customer service and would send out a replacement, but they tell me that it's hard to get material that will last and they only guarantee them for a year. They should mention the anticipated life span in their product description!er My summer shade doesn't have the same problems, strangely enough. The tip about using shower curtains is a great one. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
