Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Lavenders_Blue]

I think I may be having a WIR built this spring - very excited! At the moment my chooks are housed in a Forsham ark, which is great in the open pen I have at the moment, but is going to take up far too big a footprint in a WIR.

I'm thinking of going plastic this time, and have spied the Solway coops which look like good value for money. In particular I am looking at the Solway Maxi Loft which should be (hopefully) big enough for a maximum of up to 6 birds. I would have a 2nd nestbox fitted to it.

What are people's thoughts on the Solway? Can you raise the legs high enough for hens to use the space underneath? That would be useful if so, as then floor space taken up by the coop isn't a consideration. I can shove feeders or a dustbath under there to keep them out of the way. Also what is the cleaning out like on them? It looks like you can only take the roof off to clean (no back door?) so is this a nuisance?

The other coop I have in mind is a Green Frog but it seems to be quite a bit more £££ more for more or less the same thing, but does seem to have a rear door for cleaning and enough height on the legs for hens to use the space underneath.

Decisions, decisions.....

[Eggasperated]

Hi Lavenders, I have the Solway Standard Eco Hen House so can't really answer your questions on the Hen Loft but I have been quite happy with my Solway. I have that and an Eglu and have found both have their pros and cons, the Solway is especially roomy and good value for money. My house has a large door at the back which makes cleaning quite easy but not as easy as the Eglu.

I would suggest you ring Solway with any questions, the company itself is very helpful, and delivery from them was also very prompt.

[Lavenders_Blue]

I'd noticed from some other threads that you have a Solway so was hoping you'd pop up and give your thoughts Thanks for the info, I think I will probably give Solway a ring when I'm a bit closer to the stage where I want to buy and pick their brains. It's really only the fact that it doesn't have a rear/side door that is making me think twice - I had a wooden coop before that didn't have a rear door and it was a bit of a nuisance to clean, but then it had quite a few nooks and crannies for all the shavings/straw to disappear into which it looks like the Solway doesn't, so I ought to be able to line the bottom with shavings and just dig it all out with a dustpan and brush...

[Eggasperated]

I use Rapport to line mine and I find with poo picking everyday it doesn't get too bad at all. I try and sweep it out once a week or so and usually use one of those hand held hoover things to get in the corners. In the summer its pretty easy to hose it down as it dries quite quickly.

Solway do exhibit at some of the shows, so if you are not in a rush it might be worthwhile seeing if they will be anywhere near you if you haven't seen their houses in 'real life'.

[Lavenders_Blue]

I have a hand held hoover that I bought specifically for the purpose of coop cleaning, so that would be ideal for getting into the corners of the Solway. Hmmm, I am quite tempted now. Thanks for all your help