Eggselent Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Hello i had an Eglu and chooks a few years ago and have been desperate to get back. Life has changed somewhat and my lovely big wir and free range garden are no longer an option. But I think a cube with a run extension sites on woodchip with 3 fancy hybrids may work...... i could then let them out into the rest of the garden when I’m home. I’ve attached an awful pic of my garden, excuse the dog pee grass.... thinking over to the left as the Balfour is to the right. Maybe cube facing window? what do people think? Cube vs up? How do you get on with permanent siting? General other tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 I would have a look at the dimensions on the main Omlet site and allow for room around the installation for cleaning etc. The original mark 1 cube is brilliant - I wouldn't bother with a Go Up, but that's just my personal opinion. You may be a bit tight for space there, but it's hard to tell without any measurements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 If you can afford it I’d go for a second hand Cube mark 1 over a Go Up - more run space. I had 4 bantams in a garden that size who were in a 3m Go run while I was at work and then out in the garden when we were home. They were OK in here but they will completely get rid of all the grass within a few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggselent Posted May 22, 2019 Author Share Posted May 22, 2019 Thankyou both! I’ll go and pace put the garden I think. Having thoughts of sitting on woodchip, possibly with the cube at the far end facing back so we have a clear view of the girls heading to bed! Is the Eglu run rat proof? Any tips on permanent siting and making the run chicken appealing and pretty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 I would recommend putting it on a slabbed base to make cleaning easier. Put Aubiose on that as a litter and top it all off with a clear, waterproof tarp to keep it dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Yep - definitely go for a slabbed base with some sort of bedding and cover the run. No, the run is not rat proof - you’d have to add smaller mesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Question of rat proof fun - the answer is no! At least for baby rats. Only very small gauge weldmesh is rat proof. Minimise the problem by taking in food and water each night. The Vitamin K in chicken pellets is the antidote to rat poison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggselent Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 Oooh. Good plan on slabs. Off to google aubiose! Does anyone have a rat proof run then? Would it be preferable to build my own run infront of the cube or is the rat issue over egged (sorry 😉) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 I live on the edge of a small(ish) town around 500m from farmland but surrounded by back gardens. I don’t bring the food in at night. We have mice, but to my knowledge we’ve never had rats. Not to say never will, but not so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 I live in a situation like Mullethunter, but a neighbour had an extension which disturbed the sewerage system. Since then I’ve battled rats. The only rat proof enclosure I’ve seen is a purpose built WIR with small gauge weldmesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggselent Posted May 26, 2019 Author Share Posted May 26, 2019 So..... the garden is 4m (at the narrowest) by 6m so plenty room to put and Eglu cube plus an extension..... Now just to decide if that is the best option run wise (and to start saving!) thanks for the slabs tips! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 The old Cube is much easier to clean, although cleaning the run is not good for the back. I wouldn't bother with a Go - up or down. To me the room is not as good. Also I don't like the new Cube. I can't see my brahma boy fitting through that door, let alone the girls! Sometimes old is better. Rats made more teeth marks in the Eglu than the cube - and I caught Pippin biting lumps out of the peanut drinker that I thought was rat damage but no - she was a bad mood bear! Although perhaps she was filing down her beak? Whatever you choose in the end, enjoy as much as before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...