The Eglu

[AtRendeAcres]

AZchickenchick

I understand not wanting to build!


If you scroll to the bottom of the page someone has modified already built dog house!

& someone used the plastic dog house
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8633&p=3

this is much cheaper too!

 

[AZchickenchick]

I looked at those coop design links, and I really love the 2nd one...I think I'll buy the plans and try building it. Hopefully I won't cut off any fingers.

 

[kinnip]

Remember that screws can be backed out, nails can be pulled out and bad cuts can be patched together. It doesn't have to be pretty or complicated. Once it's put together, there are all kinds of ways you can doll it up. Just think of how proud you'll be looking out at your creation.

 

[hennypenny9]

I have the same problem as you. I'm afraid of building, but most people are encouraging about it. I also looked at the Eglu, but boy is it small and expensive! Eventually I *might* buy this:

http://www.doghouses.com/dog-houses/wood-dog-houses/economydoghouse.cfm

The small is $114, and it has a hinged roof, so I would just open it up to be clean or collect eggs. Also, I would easily be able to add a door, which is the main downfall to the plastic dog houses, at least for me. Evil raccoons.

Good luck, no matter what you choose!

 

[EweSheep]

I used one of those Royal Outdoor vinyl sheds and cut out a window and made a screen door for summer.

This was the best coop I've had and you can wash it down as well without worrying about rotted wood.

The only regret I had, this coop is four by seven, I should have bought an eight by ten shed!

They have rubber mats on the bottom for easy cleaning and I still have mine after five years!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I used a Large Plastic doghouse and a 10x10 dog kennel I found of Freecycle for my first coop and run! Didn't cost me a dime.

Look around. You may be able to find something that won't cost you much at all.

I couldn't build anything either until I tried. Now I've got a "Playhouse" coop and a 8x8 coop. They don't look all that pretty but are secure from predators and keep my chickens warm and dry.

I know the Eglu is really nice looking, convinent but I'm not sure how happy a couple of chickens would really be in there. Mine like lots of room to stretch their wings.

PS do they still have livestock out at the Swap Meet over there on VanBuren? (It's been a few years since I've been in Phoenix) I'm sure you can find someone there or one of the feed stores outside of Phoenix that could make you a small coop like the Catawba coop with no problems and less cost than the Eglu

 

[WoodlandWoman]

A lot of people really like their Eglus and some have purchased a second one, to use with additional chickens. So, I think like anything else, they work for some and not for others.

I'm not sure they'd be the best choice for you, though. Eglus were designed in a country that doesn't get the extremes of weather we get here. In an area that gets really hot, I think your chickens are going to need more ventilation than the Eglu provides, unless you left the door to the house open all the time. I'd have safety concerns about doing that at night.

You would get a lot of support from the people on the forum, if you want to try building something. A nice coat of paint makes any job look pretty good. Many people have taken a lot of how-to pictures as they built their coops, that I think you'd find very helpful.

Quite a few people have purchased and modified sheds, playhouses and dog houses. There are a lot of pictures of those here, also. That might be a really good way for you to go.

You might want to browse the coops page or look at some of the playhouse threads. I think it'll give you a better idea of what you want to do. As you start spending more time looking at coops, your husband may begin to take an interest. Does he have a particular objection or concern about having chickens?

 

[columbiacritter]

I've been given 2 eglu's that had worn out very quickly and been discarded. One got rehabbed as a broody shelter for a friend and the other one eventually got repaired and was given to a friend in the city who needed an extra place to put a picked on pullet. I had some thought of using them for mysle funtil one got blown all the way across my yard in a storm. I[m glad there weren't any birds inside.

They really aren't safe at all from any predators and are very crowded for the birds. My vote is thumbs down.

 

[Jena]

Hi, I am in Britain, and you are right the Eglu is popular here, but I could no way afford one so I used a playhouse I had bought for my dog (he refuses to be housed away from us) so I bough a pack of 2x1 inch timber (10 lengths) and I built a run. My son helped to cover it with wire and I put plywood on the roof, and covered with a tarpaulin. It was fun building it and my 4 chickens love it. I am an older woman and apart from my sons help with the wire I did this myself, all of my neighbours are very interested, and my chickens are happy. Cost = about £35 plus the playhouse which I bought several years ago for £100. The Eglu is about £450 here, so I am really pleased amd I have lots of room for more chickens in the future. It has been a learning experience for me and I have really enjoyed it. Good luck to you,
Jena

 

[angels4]

Quote:
This is a false statement. The Eglu do NOT wear out quickly and they are in fact predator proof. As far as blowing across a yard...I suppose if it were a hurricane or tornado that might happen, but the same can be said for a wooden coop.