Anyone had any issues with coops from Omlet???

[indi]

Hi I wanted to buy my chickens a new coop for Christmas and was wondering whether anyone had had any issues with coops from Omlet. The particular coop I want is the Eglu Cube with a 2 metre run.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Stacykins]

You could pay a local carpenter or handyman to locally make a very large coop for the same price or much less than the Mmlet. Seems like a gimmicky, overpriced fraud.

 

[Tambo26]

HOLY COW! Those are expensive for what you get! I agree that you could have something really nice built that also would be much more predator proof too for that or less $$.

 

[indi]

My dad agree with you guys but I am not worried about the cost! Is the space in the coop big enough for two hens an a cockerel??

 

[elmo]

Some people love those Eglus. Other people who have them have experienced some problems (leaking, predator issues with the run, etc.).

Personally, I don't like the design. In my opinion, it's cramped even for two chickens. More important than that, I think, is that it's very unnatural to force most kinds of chickens (the ones who can fly) to roost so close to the ground.

I also would not like to have to stoop to clean it out, either. The poop trays in my coop are around waist height which makes accessing them very easy. The older I get, the less I like to have to bend or squat to do things. Getting back up again just isn't as easy a it used to be!

I like to use plastic nestboxes, but for the coop itself, give me a conventional wood coop that I can walk inside.

 

[indi]

Cool thanks everyone!! One last question (sorry!) does anyone have a particular coop and run brand they rely on that isn't too expensive (say my dad!) an is sturdy and safe?? Thanks!!

 

[BlazeJester]

You're not worried about cost, but your dad is? Do you believe in Santa or do you have independent finances? Sounds like you should be seriously considering a less expensive option.

I built an 8'x8' run out of 2"x3"s, zip ties and 1/4" hardware cloth for about $100. It's predator proof, mobile with 2 people, and designed to be disassembled for when I move out of the area next year.

I'd much more strongly recommend paying $20 for a book (or online set) of coop designs. You can easily build something using scrap wood from pallets (often free from WalMart or other large distributors), and I've seen people use shipping crates as the basis for coops (as well as brooders). There are options out there and it's NOT worth the $$$ for a pre-built coop... especially when you consider that the savings will buy you MONTHS of feed, litter, etc (in your case MANY years!).

There are a lot more miscellaneous expenses you'll encounter than you currently expect, if you don't yet have chickens. Work with your dad if he's willing to help you build, and enjoy the experience of learning to design and execute building plans. The cost of shipping alone for some of the coops on My Pet Chicken or the like is greater than my entire initial expense.

All that said, I'm pushing toward do-it-yourself because I'm 25 and probably more recently in your age-shoes than most of the people here, and taking advantage of a parent's experience (my mom's, in my case) is a GREAT way to learn about the *real person* your parent(s) is!!! It also builds their positive feelings about the chickens (you'll have them on dad's property, right?) and they'll be more likely to help out if/when you need financial assistance rather than saying "I told you not to buy such an expensive coop, lesson learned, bug off".

You should know the Eglu is TINY. It will hold three chickens at best and if you want to breed your chickens, you will need another coop for when the chicks grow out. Are you in the US or UK? In a lot of places in the US, people list chicken coops on CraigsList. In South Carolina where I am, for example, there are 7 local builders who will design to your specifications.

As a general rule, plan for 4 square feet per chicken in the coop and 10 in the run if they will not be free-ranged. Bigger is always, always better.

 

[indi]

I am going to buy it after Christmas with my Christmas money. And I am not going for the £695 coop I am going to buy the one for £204 that is also suitable for guinea pigs. I just wanted to know if the coop was big enough because I can always extend the run. And I do believe in Santa but I can buy my chickens presents without his help!!

 

[Pharm Girl]

I didn't have an OmLet, but I did have a low-to-the-ground coop and it gets really back breaking to clean out. I kept it for about 6 months before buying this for $200 on Craigslist. My back is much happier now and so are my chickens...

 

[indi]

Just checked on Craiglist for London (based in the UK) for coops but I couldn't find any coops. I am not great with sites at the best of times so I could have missed it completely! I will ask my dad to check and show him the pic of your awesome coop that should persuade him!
Thank you!!