xChicken04x Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Hiya, I was just wondering if wooden houses are as bad as eveyone makes them out to be, as eglus are a bit pricey and we would like some more chooks (not in the near future though.) When we taken Uma to the vet (because she had a cold) we asked him to order in some red mite and lice powder for us (just in case.) But he said there is know point because it is very very unlikley that Cheshire will have red mite. His reason why wasnt clear, but being a chook keeper him self we trusted his answer. We would love to get more cubes but they are soooo pricey. So what do you think? For those of you who have wooden houses are they easy to keep? Do they smell? Are they easy to clean? I was just wondering really xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 A good person to ask would be Lesley - I suggest you PM her if she doesn't see your thread - They've had both on the farm and will be able to give an experienced view. My friends with wooden houses made fun of my eglu to start with, but they're now all going over to eglus themselves after having problems with mites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 we couldn't afford an eglu either so this is our set up, we've only had it a few weeks and so far so good but do let us know what lesley says will you? we just scoop out the poop every other day or so and once a fortnight, replace all the hemcore and give it a scrub with poultry shield and then sprinkle some red mite powder in there too- i think red mites are more of a problem in the summer and as we only got the girls a few weeks ago, I think the red mite season is over for now. Fingers x'd for next year! I can imagine how much easier the eglu is to clean but for some of us on limited income, the price is just totally prohibitive. before we added the extra run..... and after.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing Gal Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 We are perfectly happen with our wooden ark. The girls seem to like it and it's no problem to keep clean. I would have liked an eglu but they are way to expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 Hiya, thank you for the replies! I just looked on ebay for some eglu's they have really good prices (one was £109!!!! But it was all the way in London.... How much cheaper are the re-condidtioned eglu's at omlet?? Thank you again! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Give them a ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I found that wooden houses were not much cheaper than the Eglu at all, so went with the Eglu because of the ease of cleaning & also the fox security. I like the look of them too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I found that wooden houses were not much cheaper than the Eglu at all, so went with the Eglu because of the ease of cleaning & also the fox security. I like the look of them too our coop with its attached run, partly covered and partly uncovered, was £119 and having checked the eglu shop, a basic eglu with run and shade etc is £339. Our coop is larger than the eglu too, it has 3 nest boxes and the web said it was suitable for 8-12 chickens- I'd disagree personally and would say, with the extra bit we've added, it's nicely comfortable for our 4 girls. While I adore the eglu and think it's an innovative design, the price difference was out of our league. When I win the lottery though, I'm getting a cube, perhaps 3! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 We were originally going to use a wooden house so bought one second hand but then a second hand eglu came up so we bought that instead as it seems like a good beginners' option. If you're interested, the ark we bought has been thoroughly cleaned, treated with preservative and is on eBay - ending in about 3 hours! It's a Forsham and will suit up to 6 hens. Search for 'forsham' and you'll find it! It's bid up to £115 at the moment. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 We were originally going to use a wooden house so bought one second hand but then a second hand eglu came up so we bought that instead as it seems like a good beginners' option. If you're interested, the ark we bought has been thoroughly cleaned, treated with preservative and is on eBay - ending in about 3 hours! It's a Forsham and will suit up to 6 hens. Search for 'forsham' and you'll find it! It's bid up to £115 at the moment. Jo Thank you, its a lovley little hen house, but we are looking at getting new chickens for next year. I think it would be a bit early to start buying now. Thank you all for your opinions, keep them coming! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 So what do you think? For those of you who have wooden houses are they easy to keep? Do they smell? Are they easy to clean? I have quite a few friends on another forum who have wooden hen houses and the love them as much a we love eglu's. As with all animal keeping hygiene is all importaint. As long as you keep the house cleaned regularly (a lot use jayes fluid), and dusted for critters there is not usually any problem, they can be really nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 If we where to get a wooden house then hygene would definatly be kept up to scratch, as with the cube (which gets cleaned daily.) We usually clean it with washing up liquid, a few drops of tea tree oil and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Do you think this would be ok for a wooden house? Although we dont have any red mite powder But we have lice spay I'm seriously considering it though..... xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I love my eglu and from a practical point of view, with me being away, it is the only option IMHO. I love the look of these though!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 I love my eglu and from a practical point of view, with me being away, it is the only option IMHO. I love the look of these though!!! Oooooh so do I!!!!! Where are they from?? I'm at home most of the time (due to not being well) so I could clean the house anytime. also I forgot the say the house could be for bantams (still debating) if this helps xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I'm so sorry i have no idea! I have searched and searched but i can't find the original website! These ones are lovely too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I can't think why the vet would say there is no problem with Red Mite in Cheshire Red Mite is nationwide as far as I know, certainly if you read the other poultry forums it would appear to be! We had a terrible time with red mite in the wooden houses this year - to the extent where it spread to one of the Eglus - we had never had red mite in any of the Eglus before. It was easy to get rid of it in the Eglu but not so in the wooden houses We then made a change to all Eglus by bidding on Ebay, "Ooops, word censored!"bling Eglu owners who were converting to a Cube - and robbing a bank or two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Lesely do you really have 10 eglus? I am sooo jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 look at these wooden houses....they are adorable!!! I LOVE the chicken village....trouble is with my naughty lot I think the Jail would ALWAYS be full to capacity!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 they need little stetsons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 and holsters and big cowboy boots with spurs on the back!! Yeeeee Haaaaaaa!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I love my eglu and from a practical point of view, with me being away, it is the only option IMHO. I love the look of these though!!! i have just about completed my home made version using the cream and green like above. mine's lined with stable matting, and should be finished tomorrow. it has cost me 99p so far (for a box of screws), as all the wood has been donated!!! a friend came round tonight and ordered a perch i made for a couple of quid. so i should be a pound up on making it!! oh and how do i post a piccie on here when i show it off to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 Thank you all for the replies! How about one of these:http://www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk/store/customer/product.php?productid=16174#main%20picture They are easy to clean, they aer hygenic, can fit abot 3/4 chooks in. If I added a nest box and perch it would be great....they are resonably cheap too. But do you think they would be warm enough? xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 the only thing that struck me was if it rains, it's going to be awfully loud inside isn't it? Also, it will need ventilation, how would you achieve that? On the plus side, I can't see a fox getting in there unless it had a blow torch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 Hiya, good suggestions. If we where to get more chickens then they would be in a run with a roof over it, so the rain wouldnt be directly on the house. As for ventilation, we could drill some holes in it. Mr foxy has no chance of getting in (even though we havent seen any foxes for 4 years, but I havent let my gaud down ) xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I don't think metal would be that good an idea - roast chickens in summer and frozen ones in winter, plus all that condensation. Sorry There are wooden houses and there are wooden houses - some good, some not so good. At least with an Eglu you know exactly what you're getting and it will last a lifetime, so you could argue it's a good investment rather than being expensive. And that's from someone who's never seen an Eglu in the flesh and has four wooden houses (and is very happy with them). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
