Give me a viable Eglu Cube alternative

[NatJ]

I have 2 cubes and one go up....For those thinking that there just isn’t enough space inside them, I disagree...During the winter they have the greenhouse to hang out in when the weather is terrible....I live in the Pacific Northwest in Washington.

Climate makes a big difference, and a covered run or greenhouse also makes an enormous difference.

If the chickens need to spend all day in a sheltered coop, the "coop" part of an eglu is NOT big enough. But for the way your chickens use it, the amount of space is fine, because they do not need to stay inside while they are awake.

 

[Stephoney]

We had plenty of snow this past winter so we’re no stranger to cold weather and the PNW is known for it’s relentless rain. There are plenty of people who have Eglus in heavy snow areas of the US and love them.

Before the greenhouse (which we have undoubtedly converted into a hen palace) we also covered an attached 15 foot Eglu run with clear tarp. It kept the ground dry and it was very secure from predators. A few of my older hens preferred to hang out inside the coop near the door to nap. By the way, the eglu coops aren’t pitch dark inside during the day. Light comes in via the ventilation louvers and makes for prettty nice lighting.The rest of the flock busily worked the run which was still moveable and did get moved every month. Small bales of hay, perches and a spot for dirt bathing- they were quite happy and had plenty of space while the weather raged on outside. I’m still pretty unclear about why the coop itself has to be so large. Chickens often huddle together in a regular coop when they sleep at night which is the same in the Omlet coops. Do your hens sit inside their coops all day? Is that what is used for an indoor run?

When we moved to the new house, before the greenhouse was set up, I bought my second Eglu and run. I attached the runs to each other and it gave them another 9 feet of space. I added a few more hens. I think I was up to 8 or 9 at the time. That run didn’t get moved since it was attached to both coops, but it was very large and secure. We moved to the new property at the end of October so the rain, wind and cooler weather had already set in. The new larger run got tarped and they were set until we had the greenhouse ready (it had no siding before, just bare framing).

I think that Omlet is pretty clear about how their coops work- there’s no false advertising about hens staying inside the coops all day or claims that it’s a good idea. The attached runs are an extension of their space. It’s up to the buyer to decide how much space they want for their chickens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I’m still pretty unclear about why the coop itself has to be so large. Chickens often huddle together in a regular coop when they sleep at night which is the same in the Omlet coops. Do your hens sit inside their coops all day? Is that what is used for an indoor run?

Because the extra space gives the keeper and flock extra options, if it becomes necessary. It makes for easier integration of new birds and provides space for a broody breaker or isolation cage in bad weather. And I've had flooding before where it became necessary to lock the birds inside for a couple of days until things dried up a bit - didn't plan on having to deal with that but certainly was glad for the space when it did happen.

 

[Stephoney]

I suppose some of that makes sense. I have a broody pen in the form of a dog kennel that I use in my garage. We just went through a spell of that this past week. I put her in the coop to sleep at night with the others and then back to the kennel during the day. There are plenty of WA locations that flood, but my place isn’t one of them. We have a shed that I probably would have used if necessary for a short period if we did have flooding. Everyone has their idea of a perfect coop. I don’t think any coop is large enough for chicken math. Personally I like the fact that having omlet coops keeps me from adding too many chickens.

I also like the idea that I can easily move these coops from one house/property to another. They’re very easy to wheel onto/into a trailer, if we end up moving again. When I first looked into buying a coop, I read a lot about wooden coops that needed parts replaced regularly because they wear out. I won’t have to replace the Eglus pretty much ever. One of my Craigslist Eglus is 6 years old and still looks new. It’s previous owner kept it outside full time and it weathered perfectly and is just as reliable and waterproof as the one I purchased new. Omlet will also work with you to get replacement parts, too. I also like that my husband doesn’t have to do anything to help with them. For those of us with spouses that are less that thrilled to have hens, being able to handle the coops entirely on my own is a big plus.

For me, and others that might be in a similar set up (minus the greenhouse), the Omlet coops are a really great option. One size never fits all so it makes sense that some people will like them and others won’t. In the end, my hens are really happy with them. That makes them a great choice for my family.

 

[GamRich]

Hi all,
Quick update. I did buy an Eglu. I liked that it has a run attached. I did end up also buying a solar powered electric fence, which surrounds the entire set up.

For the most part, I’m really happy and don’t think it was a waste of money at all. I love the Eglu! It’s very very easy to clean. There are many comments on here about the lack of ventilation, but the ventilation is built in and it’s been very hot and it still feels cool and smells good inside the Cube.

The chickens only go in the Cube at night. It will be much too small for winter (it really is small- they don’t seem to mind though, they all pile together at night- I’ve peeked in on them and even though they have more room, they all just huddle up together). For winter, I am planning on covering the entire run with greenhouse plastic, essentially making it a hoop house. We’ll see how that experiment goes, but it should work- just like a hoop coop, right?

I feel like this was a really good way to get started. I do wish I had a sturdier set up, but I also think this will work for me for the next few years. It allowed us entry to chicken keeping (ie, we got to see if it was a good fit for us without investing in a more permanent structure like a shed, etc) and it has a lot of resale value. I built the entire Cube. I move the Cube around. My husband hasn’t touched any part of it. I’ve done it all as a mom with little kids running around me, so I feel like this is so so approachable for people who may not be able to build things.

So all in all, two thumbs up for Eglu Cube. And I’m sure I’ll be back looking to build a bigger coop in year or two.

How old were your chickens when you put them into the Eglu? We just finished installing the auto door and coop light today. Our girls are six weeks old, fully feathered and flying around our garage. We really need to move them to the Eglu but was a little worried about the ladder. I think possibly taking the roost bar out and using pine flakes for a few more weeks for bedding. What do you suggest? Their 9' extended run is covered and they have an attached 13'x13' play yard that is semi predictor proof. We added hardware cloth to the Omlet run.

 

[Shevraeth]

My 11 and 13 week old birds are currently in an Omlet Cube, but I'm in the process of converting a resin shed into a coop because chicken math got me and I'm gonna need more space soon. I had my girls outside in the Omlet and attached walk-in run at 1 week/3 weeks old, but it was June and I had a brooder plate in there just in case (and a second one in the run).

I took the roost panel out and filled the poop tray with pine shavings, replacing the roost panel when the younger girls were about 6 weeks old. They struggled to get up the ladder, so I used a set of pet stairs for about two weeks. It was the perfect height to the coop door.

 

[GamRich]

My 11 and 13 week old birds are currently in an Omlet Cube, but I'm in the process of converting a resin shed into a coop because chicken math got me and I'm gonna need more space soon. I had my girls outside in the Omlet and attached walk-in run at 1 week/3 weeks old, but it was June and I had a brooder plate in there just in case (and a second one in the run).

I took the roost panel out and filled the poop tray with pine shavings, replacing the roost panel when the younger girls were about 6 weeks old. They struggled to get up the ladder, so I used a set of pet stairs for about two weeks. It was the perfect height to the coop door.

I can't let chicken math get me, lol. We have six now but I'm pretty sure one is a Roo and will need to be rehomed soon. Did you put food or water inside when they were young? We have set up for outside water and food but are so new to this that I'm not sure if they need food in that small space or can go through the night without.

 

[GamRich]

I can't let chicken math get me, lol. We have six now but I'm pretty sure one is a Roo and will need to be rehomed soon. Did you put food or water inside when they were young? We have set up for outside water and food but are so new to this that I'm not sure if they need food in that small space or can go through the night without.

Also on the pet stairs that you used, did they fit over the ladder or was the ladder removed? How were they attached to the coop?

 

[Stephoney]

I put 6 week old chicks in our Go Up. First, I moved them myself, but it was literally 2 days before they got the idea and hopped up themselves, no ladder needed. They’re really agile when they’re young and lightweight. I didn’t move the bars, just put more bedding in so the floor was close to level. They did fine. It was still early spring so I put the brooder plate in at night, just in case they got cold. I wouldn’t if I was doing it right now though. It’s still plenty warm out for them.

 

[GamRich]

I put 6 week old chicks in our Go Up. First, I moved them myself, but it was literally 2 days before they got the idea and hopped up themselves, no ladder needed. They’re really agile when they’re young and lightweight. I didn’t move the bars, just put more bedding in so the floor was close to level. They did fine. It was still early spring so I put the brooder plate in at night, just in case they got cold. I wouldn’t if I was doing it right now though. It’s still plenty warm out for them.

Did you put any food or water inside at first? The girls are really making a mess right now. It is hot here (85 during the day and dropping to about 65 at night) I think they will enjoy being out in the run. Did you add a dust bath under the coop?