[viettaclark]

Yes, it's me, the paranoiac. The mindless panic I felt when discovering red mite has not abated and father-in- law has offered to pay for an eglu cube and run (present for next 10 b'days! )
I am really not convinced about it and wondered if any of you have experience of using one?
I need to move the unit regularly round the lawn. Can you move it with the run attached or do you have to disassemble it?
Do you still get the dreaded red mite?
Where do the chooks go when you're cleaning out the eglu?
There are just slats and the nest box. Are the girls comfortable?
The ladder looks dangerous...do the hens cope?
Any other comments would be really appreciated. I don't want to ask Omlet because they'd be biased!
Thanks alot.

[purplebat]

you need to speak to aunt sally, she's the resident expert on eglus 

[Aunt Sally]

I have an Eglu rather than a cube but in either red mite is not a problem  even if it does get in it is very simple to eradicate with a good scrub or a jet wash (not many eglu/cube owners ever get it though).

The cube has wheels and can be moved with the run attached.

Where do the chooks go when you're cleaning out the eglu? - same place as any hen goes when it's coop is being cleaned out - digging up the flower beds   It only takes about 10 - 20 minutes to completely clean the eglu and put it back together again.  It may take a bit longer for a cube as they are bigger.

Yes they are comfortable, being double skinned they are warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  Well ventilated and no drafts. 

If you think the ladder looks dangerous, I've seen chickens who've flown up into trees to roost overnight

[joyfull]

ooh you lucky thing I wish someone would offer to buy me a cube (really I need two for my lot  ). If I could afford them I would jump at the chance - easy to clean, no red mites and chickens seem to love them 

[Aunt Sally]

No need to spend £100 on red mite remedies like mumsy did.  So that can come off the cost of the cube 

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=41323.msg487427#msg487427

[viettaclark]

I know...I'm incredibly lucky but I just think what £600 could buy!
 Do you know, it would be worth it for peace of mind though and as Auntie says, there are savings to be made in the long run, not least a new coop probably next year as I bought one of those Chinese imports which will need replacing. Also it's going to be so much easier all round...
My mind is MADE UP! I'm ordering tomorrow...but what colour......?

[Aunt Sally]

Hard to choose http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Eglu&sub=Cube&action=wizard

[too many girls]

£600 does seem a lot but i think they may well last for donkey's years, whereas wooden ones will need replacing,  probably worth it it the long run.

[Aunt Sally]

My eglu is 4 years old now and is as good as new.  I think it will still be in excellent condition when it's 20 years old !

[chickadee]

i had my eglu delivered last week after many problems with a cheap chinese coop mine is red and looks fab against the black fence and all the greenery in the garden and SO easy to clean i haven't stopped smiling at it and my hens are very impressed ( i can tell !!!)
go for it

x

[viettaclark]

I have done the deed but had to get lilac (daughter's choice) although I quite like lilac!
Arrives on the 31st so only have 2 weeks of mite murdering to go! WHOOPEE!

[Flowerpower136]

I recently went on one of the Omlet courses.  As a brand new about to be hen owner, it gave me a lot more confidence, and was good fun too.  What could be better, a lovely few hours in a garden full of chickens, chatting away to people who own or want to own chickens, and eating egg rolls and lemon cake.

Reason I mention it, is that the lady Host, runs the courses in order to fund her Cube. Don't know what the financial arrangement with Omlet is, but quite a nice way to cover the cost?

Don't think they are completely 100% mite free, but a lot easier to clean than traditional coop so the risk must be less.  Having said that, I've still opted for timber.  If I went for something as snazzy as a cube, it would show up the rest of the garden and house!

[Roughlee Handled]

..........  Don't think they are completely 100% mite free, ............

Red mites need cracks to hide in and live in the day daylight hours.  No where is totally mite free because they are out there in the countryside, you can never get away from them.  But in a chicken toilet er sorry eggloo there are not many places (if any) that they can hide as it is one piece of moulded plastic and everything is power-hose-able.  If your clean and tidy with a chicken toilet they you will not have a problem with red mite.

[Aunt Sally]

Aunty is going to roughley handle you with a big slap you cheeky boy 

Egg loo indeed 

[Roughlee Handled]

 

Catch me.