Orange Eglu Cube Coop

[srcarucci]

Glad it worked for you too, Lady H.

Are your girls laying yet? Did you have any trouble getting them to lay in the nesting area? I'm hoping our two barred rocks will start laying in the next month or so.

The other funny addition we have is the box of dirt under the ladder. We made the girls a dust box which they love, that way they're not digging up the yard as we move them around - other then occasionally.

Sheri

 

[ISSOLA]

Quote:
To both srcarucci and LH and gsim(who emailed me): My chickens have no problems with the eglu coop ladder at all. They love it. So I think it depends your chickens' comfort level; and if they need extra wire mesh for grip atop the ladder - so be it. For me - there has been no problems. To each, their own.

My chickens are so happy in the eglu coop - it is just a pleasure to see them clucking merrily away.

Srcarucci - you should not worry about the chickens finding the laying area. They will naturally gravitate to that location. It fact mine slept in there after 3-4 weeks of having been introduced to the coop.

I have put chain-link fence all around the coop flat on the ground, in addition to the wire skirt (that is part of the eglu design); just to be extra careful. The coons here are just a wee too persistent, and extra measures to discourage digging under had to be done.

BTW: I was at the omlet uk "factory" in England only recently to buy an extra GRUB feeder. (I was in London; and drove up to Wardington, north of Banbury) I was also very curious about their set-up, and hence wanted to visit. Nice people there; and very friendly. I was told by them, that it was reported by ONE American person that coons were able remove the run clips (the fastener that attaches the run together). I don't know how true that is; but I am now more vigilant. I looked at the run clips; and I think it moderately difficult to attach and unattach them. I am sorta doubtful about that truth of that report. But - if the American person who reported that their eglu run clips were peeled opened by coons is reading this - please could you contact me or explain what happened on this blog? Also - disattachment of a run clip does not mean that the coons got to the chickens since many run clips hold the coop together. The coop is very strong; but I am curious.

But anyway - so far so good. The winter should go fine; since the ground will be frozen (impediment to digging). But once it thaws, I hope there will be no dramas....

 

[Lady Henevere]

Yes, my chickens lay in the nesting area. (Well, the first egg was on the ground, another few first eggs were in the droppings tray, and just recently I found an egg at the foot of the ladder that someone seemed to lay on the way inside...?) I have straw in the nesting area, and they seem to like it. The only problem is my EE, who tends to kick other chickens out when she wants to lay (she's a total nest hog). There's plenty of room for two or more chickens to lay at once, but they all want the side of the nest box on the door side of the coop. So we end up with some nest spats once in a while, sometimes two squish together in the one side of the box, sometimes they just lay on each side, but it all works out.

Issola, we have raccoons but they seems to be lazy suburban raccoons, and are not very ambitious. Perhaps they could pry a clip off, but they would still be too fat to squeeze in! But it's good to know that we should keep an eye out for that -- thank you. How cool that you visited the factory!

 

[srcarucci]

Thanks ISSOLA and Lady H,
They do sleep in the nest box sometimes. I just wondered if they'd know what else they're supposed to do there.

That would be interesting to hear more from whoever said that raccoons took off the clips. They're on there really well, I can't image it - but will keep an eye on them just in case.

Everyone in the UK seems wonderful. I recently bought a new grub & glug that they shipped from someone making them in the US. The first set they shipped were terrible. I guess they were having trouble with the molding machine but they shipped me two very defective items. I emailed with Clare and sent her a photo of the damage and she got it taken care of, and new ones sent.

The grub is the same, but the glug is the smaller open one from the eglu - I figured it made sense to have spares, just in case.

 

[Mahonri]

Wow... chicken Fort Knox!

 

[srcarucci]

It really is. The girls seem happy and if any of the neighbors see it, it looks like some kind of playhouse

 

[ISSOLA]

This picture below will speak volumes on what my husband and I deal with normally. The raccoon is out during the day, but is not rabid. He/She can quickly run into the forest nearby; so there is quick cover.

That thing is BOLD!

BTW the eglu cube is to the left of the birdfeeder and not in the pic. The raccoons did climb on the eglu cube trying to figure it out initially. They have now "given up" the eglu cube. But I am sure they will return and try again. Eck....

 

[gingernutranger]

I want to get there bee house but they dont have it in the USA. My BYC username is the name of there hens

, after buying a blue eglu and three hens!

 

[srcarucci]

Quote:
I think 'fingers crossed' that the Cube really should keep them out. We have raccoons around here but only at night. What state are you in?

 

[drumstick diva]

I love the colors of the coops as they are but, they stick out like a sore thumb. Neighbors will be too curious to see what they are. Maybe they should come up with a camo color for people with stealth chickens.