The Poultry Keeper

Heather · Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:47 pm Post subject: Advice please

As some of you know I was planning on going for the Eglu - now I'm not so sure, - some of the arks / wooden houses seem to be a similar size but not so expensive - and the actual house is bigger so you can fit in a couple more chicks- (the run is probably smaller but as they will free ranging in the afternoon then I don't see too much of a problem)

So I was wondering if anyone has experience of either Omega wood designs or Smith's sectional ? Or any recommendations for good quality but not too expensive housing

I have been going round in circles for so long I have got myself thoroughly confused !

Any advice gratefully received !!

Oh and it can't be too big - though I laid out the area needed for the Eglu and i could fit that with it's 8ft run in quite easily - not very good at measurements which is part of what got me confused

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Not sure if you've looked at Poultry Pen
http://www.poultrypen.co.uk/housing.htm

There are a few different designs there
All the best
George

Jo · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 7 Location: West Sussex

Hello,
I also looked at the eglu when I started but went for a forsham ark in the end. Now I need another one and I'm getting another forsham ark. They are expensive but not as much as an eglu and I think they're attractive and well made.
Jo

nigel · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 2:30 pm Post subject:

I looked at Eglu too, but I decided against purely on the grounds of size. In the end I went for a Littleacre House - The grosvenor.

Pro's

Cons

just my opinion, but I hope this helps

Lisa · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 2:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the warning about the pull out droppings tray.

I like what I saw of the Grosvener online, and got at good, close up look at one of them at the local garden centre recently.

I did think the droppings tray was a bit shallow and wondered what would happen when you pulled it all out! Plus I thought it could have done with a gap in the edging to make it easy to scrap or brush stuff off and out (and into a bin / bag / wheelbarrow underneath)?

Why did you think the perches were too low? Was that too low in general? Or too low in relation to the nest boxes?

Just trying to finalise my plans for the perfect hen house Rolling Eyes

nigel · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 3:07 pm Post subject:

I thought they were too low because the bigger birds in particular the Light Sussex can't walk under them. So have to jump over, which can be awkward if others are roosting as the knock each other off and cause chaos at bedtime

Lisa · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 3:14 pm Post subject:

Ah, of course - thanks for the explanation. My existing perch is so very low that its bearly a step for them! I hadn't thought about them needing to get under a perch to move through a house. Back to the drawing board for me....

Heather · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies - I like the look of the poultry pen smallest one as a starter kit - they don't have just hybrid available - Yay!

Think I have looked at the grovesnor before - but have looked at so many I can't remember ! Shocked

I also like the smith's sectional "The Dell" which was in 6 of the best coops feature in the May Grow your Own but I don't know of anyone who has used them ??

Thanks for the help anyway

Heather x

nigel · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:20 pm Post subject:

Smiths Sectional is a local Company to us (based in Nottingham) I know people who have had Garden Sheds and Potting Sheds from them and been very pleased with quality.

I don't know anyone who has used their chicken housing range though.

Heather · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:29 pm Post subject:

Well nice to know that the quality is good - they look well made

I like the mini dell so far www.smithssectionalbuildings.co.uk/

Lisa · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:55 pm Post subject:

The perching area looks good. I've seen other arks where I have wondered how a bird could fit up in the apex to get on the perch. I know they sit down once they're up there, but they've still got to get up there in the first place Rolling Eyes

And the website says you have a money back guarantee if not satisfied. So if it isn't as good as it looks... there's no risk really.