Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[ShellNick]

Hi Everyone!

 

I'm new to chicken keeping and after much deliberation over what kind of coop to buy I've gone for a second hand Cube, which I'm really pleased with. I'm now looking for a walk in run that will house my Cube on the outside of the run, just like the runs that everyone keeps raving about made by Aviaries4u, except I'm out of their delivery zone - typical! I'm looking for a good quality one that will last, and Aviaries4u seemed to be perfect without being too overpriced bearing in mind their bespoke design.

 

I was wondering if anyone could recommend another company that they've heard of or used recently who are like Aviaries4u in terms of having experience of accommodating Cube's within their design? I found some really old chats on this website that name a couple of alternative companies, but they seem to have gone bust. Unfortunately due to lack of DIY / carpentry skills by myself and husband I'm looking for the easy option of having the run made by someone else instead of building or adapting my own!

 

I'm desperate to get my girls and get started but I can't without the run! Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Shelley x

 

PS - I love this forum and I've learnt so much about chicken keeping from like minded people like yourselves, thank you!

[chuckmum6]

I am as I type having a really good wir built for me by Cotswold Wood Company (cube and 4m run on the outside)! I contacted them directly rather than ordering it straight from the website and am paying cash, so have saved a bit on the price. The man who is building it is lovely, he has come up with solutions to all of the problems he encountered and I am so far delighted with it. It is certainly no more expensive than avieries4u, who couldn't build me a run until August. I will post a photo once it is built! Welcome to the wonderful world of chickens!!!

Edited May 28, 2013 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

How about an Omlet WIR?

[Cheeky Chooky]

I was just going to say...I love my Omlet WIRs

[chuckmum6]

I very nearly bought an Omlet run, but it worked out smaller and more expensive in the end, especially as I wanted a roof and kick boards. Plus I found Omlet less helpful than Mark from Cotswold Wood, I will post a picture once I have finished playing inside it and if it stops raining!

[good_egg]

I got mine from cotswold wood company! Love it. Pics on the "all systems go" thread in this section.

[ShellNick]

Thanks Chuckmum, I hadn't come across Cotswold Wood Company during my seach but they look really good and definitely worth considering. Is the man who's putting it up from the Cotswold or have you found him locally? Would love to see it when it's finished!

 

Thanks also to those who suggested Omlet WIR's, I had considered them but I wanted a more permanent structure - they don't look as sturdy. I thought they were a little expensive too due to the size I'm looking for, and again I'm looking to put a roof on.

[chuckmum6]

It is great, but it has hardly stopped raining here, so I haven't got a picture yet. Yes, the man who put it together is Cotswold Wood Company, he can from Evesham over to me, in a van with the company decal. The girls are enjoying it, I have even had an egg laid in my Skycoop (Eglu on a table with a long ladder up to it)! I will nip out and take a photo ASAP.

[chuckmum6]

Just got pic now as it has just stopped raining!

My 4m cube train is attached with a small door at the end, so I can shut off the cube and WIR if I want, I also have a large cube door attached along the side of the cube train, which allows me to access the run and also to let the girls out for a bit of free ranging, if they have behaved themselves! You can see my Eglu on its table in the WIR and the long ladder upto it, being raised makes it easier to clean out, although it is being used an additional nest box. I plan on adding guttering and attaching it to my water butt. This run is my birthday pressie, slightly early as my birthday is tomorrow, it is fab!!!!!!

[ShellNick]

Happy Birthday chuckmum! WOW it looks fantastic! Thanks for posting the photos. Glad you and the girls are pleased with it. So you'd recommend Cotswold then? I've looked on their website and seen a photo of one that they did for someone where the Cube was attached directly to the WIR (which is what I would need as I don't have the Cube train that you've got), so I know they've designed them before. How big is your WIR on it's own and how many girls have you got in there? I can't decide what size to go for. Are they your Wyandottes on the inside photo? I love them and really fancy having a couple if you'd recommend them for a first time chicken keeper. Hope it's stopped raining now!

[chuckmum6]

Thank you for the birthday greeting! Yes I would recommend cotswold wood co, my run is 9 x 12ft, the attaching of the cube ladders is easier than my bespoke attachment according to Mark who made it for me. I have 10 girls, 7 are bantams, so I am hoping to get some more on Saturday, maybe a couple with my birthday money. My Wyandotte's are lovely, I have just had my pretty blue laced PTS and would really have like more. In the bottom pic, is one pencilled laced Wyandotte, a black pekin and silver partridge Pekin, I am over run with broody Pekins! I have found my Wyandotte's less broody and less mad! They are VERY collectable with so many colours, mine are little bantams and I would recommend them!

Yes it has stopped raining now I have connected the guttering to the water butt!

All the best with you run and girls!