Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[fizzyegg]

Thinking about taking the plunge and buying my first Cube very soon. I've had three different hen houses (2 wooden and one plastic) and they've all lasted a maximum of 2 years and are notoriously difficult to clean.

 

In the past I've always bought hen coops with attached runs, even though my hens are in a fenced in area (the fencing isn't fox-proof). I figured that if I knew I wouldn't be around to close the coop at dusk, I could leave them in the run attached the coop for that day.

Needless to say, in four years I've probably only done that five times since I'm usually home around dusk.

 

Soooo, with that logic I'm considering getting a cube without the run. Does that sound like a good idea? Just looking for some validation...

 

Also, I can't choose a colour for the life of me. I LOVE red, but I imagine it wouldn't look so great after a couple of years of Sun-fade. Has anyone got a photo of their older red Cube? If it fades at all I think I'll go for the purple as apparently that one fades the least (so I've read on here).

[christyrose12]

I bought a cube without a run as I have part of my garden fenced off for them. I have managed fine without one but lately have been thinking it would be good to have one. I always shut the door at night but I read somewhere that sometimes people leave the door open all night. Thought this would be good in the summer but obviously cant do that without a chicken run attached. Dont know if this is something you would think of doing?

As for the red sorry I dont know as I have a green one but was very tempted by the purple when I bought mine. Good luck with choosing.

[fizzyegg]

I bought a cube without a run as I have part of my garden fenced off for them. I have managed fine without one but lately have been thinking it would be good to have one. I always shut the door at night but I read somewhere that sometimes people leave the door open all night. Thought this would be good in the summer but obviously cant do that without a chicken run attached. Dont know if this is something you would think of doing?

As for the red sorry I dont know as I have a green one but was very tempted by the purple when I bought mine. Good luck with choosing.

 

Yeah, I'm thinking that maybe I can buy a run later on and have a few lay-ins during the Summer if I leave the coop door open! I'm leaning towards purple today I think - My favourite colour is red but I think purple will look just as good in the garden.

[Purplemaniacs]

I have a that is 6 years old and it still looks as good as it did when we bought it from Omlet.

 

Chrissie

[Guest]

I have a purple cube, had it 3 years now, I imagine if it was stood next to a brand new cube there would be a slight colour difference but no major fading.

 

I have a WIR from avaries4u (no longer trading) which is marvelous as we are riddled with foxes here so the run is very fox roof. I prefer the wood type runs as they can be painted in a great range of colours.

 

One tip I would give is build the run to enable the cube roof to slide forward so you don't have to keep dragging the cube back to clean. A couple of members on her have done that so hopefully one of them will be along to show you a picture.

[mimi5]

Hi Fizzyegg,

 

I have a green cube I wanted a purple one....... but hubby said NO Mine came from Omlet and the delivery man put in together (included in the price as I'm within a certain area, bonus ) It's just over 2 years old now and still looks as good as when it came My do cats do love to sun bathe on it .......so a few claw scratches here and there but no fading as far as I can tell. Always looks lovely after a wash.

 

I have it at the end of the garden in a sheltered spot, under trees, by a hedge. I don't have a walk in run, but do have 3 meters of cube run (with under the cube 4 meters in total) the run is full of wood chip as a flooring and completely covered to protect all from the elements. I had w wooden coop withrun to start with, which was a waste of money!!! You will love the cube it is SO easy to use and clean, my 6 pekins seem very happy and secure in it and I am happy to go to work knowing that they are safe

[stu]

My red cube was never really that red.... even when it was new... it's more of an orange.

It's years old now but I don;t think it's any less orange, but as stated above, if you stood it next to a new one... it's probable faded.

 

I wish I had bought another colour, vut it still looks good in the Veg Garden, either way.

[The Dogmother]

The purple and green are pretty stable, as it the orange. Red, blue and pink all seem to fade.

 

I once had a pink rablu (I hate the colour but it was cheap) it faded and stained like mad, and when I mentioned it to the Omlet lads, they denied that this could happen... I live not far from their Mothership, so invited them round to have a look. It had faded from a strident Barbie pink to a more acceptable Cath Kidston faded pink.

[LolaLayla]

I have a four year old green one that is always in direct sunlight. I had a look at today for fading. It looks ok but if you take the door off you can see it is a bit brighter round the inside. I imagine any of them in that sort of situation would lose some of their brightness.

[Patricia W]

My green eglu has faded quite a lot, but the green cube not so much. The red eglu has faded but is still red. The blue cube ( pre-loved) is still very blue. My friend has a purple cube and it's still pristine. All work well though and that's the main thing!

[christyrose12]

Did you decide what colour to get Fizzyegg? They are so easy to keep clean that I'm sure whatever colour you get, you'll love it!!

[fizzyegg]

Well I keep researching if there are any other plastic coops at a cheaper price but nothing seems to come close to the Cube. I think it's going to have to be purple (without a run)!

 

I'm also going to buy one of these Little Tikes Turtle Sandpits http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Toys-R-Us/Outdoor-and-Sports/Sand-and-Water-Toys/Little-Tikes-Turtle-Sandpit(0102564)?searchPosition=9

 

AND I'm getting a plastic dog kennel for free, so it's all going to look rather colourful in the chicken run! I'm so excited!

[fizzyegg]

I found a second hand purple Cube for £450! You can't get much better than that!

[The Dogmother]

Just a word of warning to anyone buying 2nd hand housing - don't put your birds straight in it without nuking it for red mires first... a lady not far from me bought a 2nd hand classic and it was hooching with mites

[fizzyegg]

Ah yes, great idea! I actually had fun pressure-washing this one just to see it come up brighter!