Eglu Cube Coop and Accessories

[chocolateeclaire]

Hi,

I have recently had 2 of my smaller chickens come out of the Cube in the morning with injured legs!

The most recent injury to one of my new silkies looks like she has either broken her foot or got severe nerve damage.

I have noticed, when I do my final check, that the bigger chicken often seem to be sitting on top of the smaller ones and the design of the cube means that this could cause the smaller ones to have their legs trapped between the slats.

Has any one else had this problem??

I am now having to put the bantams and silkies in the nesting box overnight.

Claire

[UKMARCH]

I haven't had any experience of this as have all large hens but can imagine if a heavy one laid on a small one for any length of time it would be very uncomfortable!

[Daphne]

I've had problems with my very LF (exhibition orps) and their cockeral - their weight seems to move the bars slightly and they can get trapped legs. Its happened twice and so now I have taken the bars out - they roost on the aubiose on the floor. Its not ideal in terms of poo getting stuck to them, but not too bad if you keep the poo levels down. Its also quite common for orps not to perch. Years ago I kept 2 orp hens in an eglu and never had a problem - I think there is more movement in the cube bars.

[chocolateeclaire]

Thanks Daphne - I think I will take the bars out as you suggested

At the moment I am trying to devise a splint for the Silkys leg!!!

Claire

[The Dogmother]

Sorry to hear that.

 

I have a flock of bantams (various sizes) in my Cube and have never had a problem.

[Redwing]

I would also remove the bars and just fill the trays with bedding

 

Silkies are very prone to Mareks disease which presents as leg problems so so just have a Google just to see if its simply coincidence and dont rule out other causes in case you are missing something

[chocolateeclaire]

Thanks redwing - the vet did consider Mareks but it seems to be a nerve injury that may or may not improve. She has no feeling in the leg but it has a blood supply and she is hopping around the best she can!!

Claire

[jasperaliceuk]

Can I just add to this thread, but on a slightly different tack. I have a Cube and Omlet WIR. When it was set by the Omlet guy the end panel and door to the Cube run was left in situ and the WIR tacked on to that. When I recently was checking the WIR instructions it gave instructions to remove this end panel with the door. So, I decided to remove the panel myself.

 

Reasons being that when the girls come down the ladder in the morning, with all their varying capabilities: step by step, jump a few, or just launch off the top, they invariably land round about the door opening. The panel sticks up a couple of inches from the floor run and I suspect this is how one of the girls injured herself as it is so easy to catch a foot on it. She came down with a severe limp but after a few days isolation and quiet it got better and she is now fine.

 

It also means that I have much better access to underneath the Cube run although it does mean I can't easily partition that bit off which I did when I was trying to catch them all for antipeck sprays.

 

I really do think the ladder could be better designed. I do wince each time they come down in a flurry or haste to get to food - the dimmer ones aren't too cautious!

 

Sue