Omlet Eglu Coop - How to Keep it Warm in Winter??

[FrostRanger]

Hi
I will be getting 6 birds and wonder if the cube is large enough and will keep them comfortable? We get to -20/25 F for a couple of weeks a winter. I dont want to regret spending mega cash
I am in central BC
thanks
Dan

For the money you're better off converting a used shed into a coop. You'll get a bigger and better quality coop for less if you go that way

 

[Skacha23]

Hi
I will be getting 6 birds and wonder if the cube is large enough and will keep them comfortable? We get to -20/25 F for a couple of weeks a winter. I dont want to regret spending mega cash
I am in central BC
thanks
Dan

I just added a 5th bird to mine. One more could probably fit depending on size (I have Plymouth rocks). If I rescue another chicken I'll have to adjust my winter roost. I give them a 2x4 wide end up for winter so their feet can tuck into their feathers.
The issue may be the run area. I'm wrestling with this now. Adding enough run extensions for that many birds makes it difficult to move. In the winter I don't move mine anyways because the snow makes it to hard. I'm considering building a stationary run and putting the eglu in my barn since I bought my own place with a fenced yard and it has an old barn as a garage.

 

[Dan Hall]

I just added a 5th bird to mine. One more could probably fit depending on size (I have Plymouth rocks). If I rescue another chicken I'll have to adjust my winter roost. I give them a 2x4 wide end up for winter so their feet can tuck into their feathers.
The issue may be the run area. I'm wrestling with this now. Adding enough run extensions for that many birds makes it difficult to move. In the winter I don't move mine anyways because the snow makes it to hard. I'm considering building a stationary run and putting the eglu in my barn since I bought my own place with a fenced yard and it has an old barn as a garage.

So would 6 med birds fit? and what temps do you have in winter? I am in a cold climate? thx

 

[Skacha23]

So would 6 med birds fit? and what temps do you have in winter? I am in a cold climate? thx

They fit.
I was in Montana when I first got this coop, down to -20°F. I'm a bit south in Wyoming now so in theory it's warmer. I'm looking at our weather though and it says we got down to -25 this winter, though I don't think I saw that at my house, I might be in a bit of a microclimate.

 

[nuthatched]

Hi
I will be getting 6 birds and wonder if the cube is large enough and will keep them comfortable? We get to -20/25 F for a couple of weeks a winter. I dont want to regret spending mega cash
I am in central BC
thanks
Dan

Build or convert a shed for the money, they are built to the inhumane size standards egg farms have. for bad weather areas, birds need room to move and proper ventilation when stuck inside.
Or buy a Porta potty and stick it on its side, more space, same concept and likely less money.

 

[Bawkbok]

We have both the cube and the pro. We live in a hot, humid climate however, our winters in January and February can be in the twenties for several days with highs in the 40s which is cold for us. We added the cube blanket cover this past winter and it does not cover the front and back vents so no issue there. What it does do is cover the gaps along the doors and bottom trays which I want since they should experience no cold air from bottom up, aka drafts. We additionally wrap a tarp around the back side so no cold drafty air filters in from the bottom gaps under the trays. The cube never experienced any wetness, dampness or humidity issues at all. It stays very dry and temperate inside. The girls always seemed comfortable and no distress at all.

For warmer weather, we have a fan hung higher than their heads on the inside for air movement.

On size, for the cube, I would not recommend 6 chickens in that space it is just not large enough. You could probably go with 6 in the pro size if they are no larger than medium sized birds. Removing the nesting box wall is always an option to allow more sleeping space but you will have to clean it every day if they use it for sleeping. If you are sticking with the cube, I recommend no more than 4 adult birds. I always check on mine at night and they seem to huddle close to each other anyway so that space should be sufficient for you for 4. The run that attaches to the cube is NOT enough space for 4 birds, even if you go with the 9 or 12 foot option. Do you have wheels, are you moving it every day? If not, you will need to add a run extension or build a larger extension so they have enough room to move about. Our space for four is 145 square feet.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

So would 6 med birds fit? and what temps do you have in winter? I am in a cold climate? thx

I agree with almost everyone - except that the Cube and Pro are NOT intended as living areas, they are sleeping and laying areas only, so the common square foot rule for “coops” has to be figured differently. With Omlet, you need to provide sheltered run areas that are adequate in size for the number of birds, ideally at least 20 sq ft per.

I do not think the Cube or Pro runs are big enough, though with just three or four birds and if you move it every day that might keep them happy, but likely for just part of the day. What I found with Buckeyes, which are a foraging breed, but also with Orpingtons, they need much more space for their mental and physical health. Even as young pullets, the Buckeyes were done with the moved 9ft run area within a few hours and would start looking bored. Chickens like to keep busy. Plus, you can’t have a lot of “furniture” in a moveable run without a lot of hassle. So I’ve got two large 6x12 external runs I attached my coop and 9ft run to.

My Cube held four Buckeyes and a Buff Orp, no problems in winter, and extra ventilation (fans and modified poop tray with hardware cloth) in summer. It could fit six if you provide the push with the ventilation in summer.

I would not recommend the Omlet blanket for winter as it does indeed block the intended ventilation slots (I confirmed this with Omlet). That being said some people are very happy with it. What I did this last winter was block the direct winter wind while keeping the side slots and back vents open, with a tarp laid over part of it but held away from the sides with pool noodles. I get serious wind where I am and plan to reposition my Pro to be behind my run, using that as the block for the worst wind. I am at elevation, 2200 feet, and we can get -20F winters.

If you can swing the Pro, get that. You will be glad for the extra space when chicken math strikes. Or, buy another Cube, lots used on the market right now. But chickens like to roost together, and you may find your group all wants to cram into just one Cube. I have four in the Pro now, there is definitely room for the 3 more, and maybe one extra, I have coming later this year.

 

[FrostRanger]

I agree with almost everyone - except that the Cube and Pro are NOT intended as living areas, they are sleeping and laying areas only, so the common square foot rule for “coops” has to be figured differently

Even if the coop is intended for sleeping and laying, those are times when squabbles are likely to break out. My flock is fairly peaceful and even they will squabble over a favorite roosting spot, you really want to have as much room as possible when that happens. Not to mention that you never know when an emergency will happen and you need to keep your birds cooped up (extreme weather being one such reason)

 

[Skacha23]

Even if the coop is intended for sleeping and laying, those are times when squabbles are likely to break out. My flock is fairly peaceful and even they will squabble over a favorite roosting spot, you really want to have as much room as possible when that happens. Not to mention that you never know when an emergency will happen and you need to keep your birds cooped up (extreme weather being one such reason)

The thing that helps with this is that the roost spots are all even and the same. I've seen plenty of fighting when there are different levels and types of roosts in my friends coops. There can be pushing and shoving to get in first or not let anyone else in, but that happens in any coop. In my omlet and friends omlets when I have chicken sat once they are in there isn't a more desirable place and they are fine.
I've never seen weather where I thought my girls would be better if I forced them to stay in (MT and WY now and down to -20°f, feet of snow). Maybe if I lived in a hurricane prone area. I always give them the option to go out and they do. They are literally just in the coop to sleep and lay. Their food and water are in the run not the coop. We're getting a spring snowstorm today and when I went out this morning with water they were all out.

 

[FrostRanger]

The thing that helps with this is that the roost spots are all even and the same. I've seen plenty of fighting when there are different levels and types of roosts in my friends coops. There can be pushing and shoving to get in first or not let anyone else in, but that happens in any coop. In my omlet and friends omlets when I have chicken sat once they are in there isn't a more desirable place and they are fine.
I've never seen weather where I thought my girls would be better if I forced them to stay in (MT and WY now and down to -20°f, feet of snow). Maybe if I lived in a hurricane prone area. I always give them the option to go out and they do. They are literally just in the coop to sleep and lay. Their food and water are in the run not the coop. We're getting a spring snowstorm today and when I went out this morning with water they were all out.

My roost is even as well (there is a bottom rung, but it's only to help give my slightly less agile buff Orpington Juniper a leg up) and there is still minor squabbling. That said, there are definitely birds that can handle close quarters than others