Part 0800.0005

[JellyBean2605]

These are my girls, they currently live in an Eglu Go with a standard run.

I'd like to give them more space so am looking at getting a WIR. There are two potential sites...

Site 1:

Site 2:

My favourite is site 1 (ignoring the keter shed and the wooden one that will soon be firewood)

My problems are: convincing the OH who thinks I've spent too much money already

AND keeping the smell under control on behalf of my neighbours who are very house proud, this is why I prefer site 1 because it's on the other side of the garden and no one lives in that house. Site 2 is right next to my neighbours.

What shall I do?

[Choo-chook]

I'd go for site one if it's away from you're neighbours and it's the one you prefer. A WIR is the best thing ever for chicken keeping. No more back breaking bending down, not smelly cos poo pickings a breeze and cheaper cos I'm not changing the aubiose every 2 min cos it's soaking.

Have a look at all the photos, you can do it quite cheaply. Good luck convincing your husband, I'm lucky that oh hobby is cycling (not the cheapest) so I just tell him mine is chicken keeping....I could of had about 7/8 WIRs for the cost of his bikes, so when he says what did you buy from omlet for £60? I tell him exactly what I bought and why...then tell him his box from wiggle came, its in the garage, and then smile sweetly lol

Def get one if you can though, it makes it so much more enjoyable, and I can sit in with them with a cup of tea and hot water bottle in even the worst weather. Bliss.

Forgot to say though, I've been married umpteen years and my husband definitely knows a happy Nicky = a happy marriage, anything for a quiet life

[doctors girls]

Is the shed built on a concrete floor or flagged if so that would be perfect also is your OH any good at DIY because he could use the timber from the shed to build a table for the eglu to sit inside your new WIR and depending on what style of run you want check these panels out on e- bay if cost a factor

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-aviary-panels-run-Chicken-Duckings-Hen-Rabbits-Guinea-pigs-Bird-Cat-Dog-pets/161187941207?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D74%26meid%3D4120314470898135868%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1048%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D151201174317%26

 

I am going to buy some to build an outside run for the girls instead of the netting run that they have at the moment and stand them so it is 3ft tall then attach some wire mesh across for the roof to stop any cats getting in which is the problem that I have at the moment when they are free ranging I am trying to keep my eyes on the girls and trying to clean up at the same time also if needs be its a mad dash to the loo and I know I should not leave them on their own

[JellyBean2605]

Site 1 is flagged, site 2 is concrete, the downside with site 1 is it's more exposed and will get wet and windy. Site 2 is more sheltered. I'm thinking of getting a run made by Aviaries4u, I have heard good things about them.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Mine is an (old) Aviaries4u WIR - you can see it in my signature link (looking nice and shiny and new - show OH!)

 

I've never had a problem with smells - possibly as Choo-chook says, because poo-picking is so easy.

[LunaKiw1]

If you're undecided then an Omlet WIR would allow easy re-siting to appease neighbours/avoid extremes of weather as necessary! We got one a couple of years ago when they first came out and love it. When we moved house in the summer we just took it part (not even fully) and re-assembled it in the new garden the next day so there was minimum disruption for the girls. We coudln't have done that with a 'built-in' WIR! Having said that, any kind of WIR is a mega improvement on a basic run and as long as you keep it covered (we use clear tarpaulins from Taraflex over the top and down all sides) it will be great for you and your girls.

[JellyBean2605]

I've just measured site 1 and it's only 1.8 by 1.3 metres! Is this too small?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

The beauty of a walk in run is the potential to make high level walkways/perches/etc. This can make up for a small floor area. Have a look at my WIR, I've used a lot of the available "air space". If you only have a couple of girls, it'll be fine. You also don't need to worry too much if you can let them out of the run during the day (Omlet netting is great for that).

[JellyBean2605]

Part of my argument for this will be that they will be happier during the day, because we are at work all day they only FR odd evenings and weekends and the OH is already complaining about the lawn (mostly my fault) being ruined. They will still be allowed out but will hopefully be more contented.

[doctors girls]

so that will give you 2.34sq metres which will be ideal for the 2 girls that you have got but i would suggest a table like ANH has said use the air space

[LunaKiw1]

The Omlet WIR is 2m by 2m so unfortunately wouldn't fit your area.

[JellyBean2605]

Thanks for the brilliant advice guys, I think I'll have a chat with the OH soon

[JellyBean2605]

I did it, we have had the conversation and he's not 100% keen but agrees it would be better than the current set up. So it's not no and I have his permission to get a quote.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hurray! Sounds like a yes to me .

[Purplemaniacs]

As it is not a no it has to be yes

 

I love my WIR I had to wait a few years for OH to build it but it was well worth the wait.

 

Chrissie

[LunaKiw1]

You're home and dry with OH I'd say!

[Grandmashazzie]

I got mine from Flytes so Fancy,very well made,good instructions and they do lots of sizes.

[Valkyrie]

Yes, I think in hindsight it would have been a good thing otherwise doing the cube run sees me coming back indoors looking like Quasimodo.

[JellyBean2605]

I've got the quote for my WIR and I'm gonna go for it, it's been a while finding someone to do it since Avaries4u have gone bust and I never got a response from the Cotswold wood guy even with his new details. In the end have gone on a recommendation to a place called Lifestyles just up the road. Just gotta get the OH to trash the rotten old shed and we're ready!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Woohoo .

[LunaKiw1]

Eggcellent news! Don't forget that keeping water out is essential to avoid mud baths in weather like we're having these days - so think about whether you're going to go for perspex panels or clear tarpaulins but make sure they cover whole of the roof and sides. Personally I prefer the tarpaulins solution as then in the warmer months you can just roll up the sides to let air through and you can also peg them out at a bit of an angle (cf tent sides) which allows water to drip off the ends away from the sides of the run.

[JellyBean2605]

The site for the WIR has now been cleared, that rotten old shed came down surprisingly well! So much for my FIL insisting we should keep it.

It now looks like this....

 

The girls are up there now helping to clear it. All thats left now is to do some minor repairs to the fence behind and put up some extra netting to add some height. The flooring has a few gaps which I will fill in when the weather is a bit nicer

The WIR arrives on Wednesday (it looks amazing, OH loves it) and then we have the lovely job of assembling it.