Eglu? How good are they?

[Martin]

unfortunately, we were a cockerel-free zone while we had the big flocks - we foolishly turned a pleasant hobby into almost a living, and the birds were bought in as "point of lay" pullets. Despite having kept them commercially, I still like chickens, and there is that wonderful pleasure of gathering still-warm eggs from under the hens - even better, the look on the face of a small child when they do the same, then take it home for tea!

[Millymollymandy]

I'd heard of an Eglu but had never seen one until recently and I was astonished at how small it is. Not much bigger than a cat carrying basket!

[Olive]

They must get hot in the sun - being plastic. I know my wooden house gets warm enough. You would also have to be careful about the size of chooks you put in. I know 2 of my speckledy's wouldnt fit in, though 2 of my tiny black rocks would.

[hmk]

Not trying to ressurect the debate, just thought I'd like to add a word or two in defence of Eglus!

I started with an Eglu (a gift, I didn't buy it) because it seemed so 'idiot proof'. I didn't know anybody else personally that kept chickens and scared myself by researching all the things that could go wrong

Omlet (who make the Eglu) make it all simple and I realised you didn't have to be an expert anymore than you do to keep a pet rabbit. It's daft, I know, but there's a definite mystique that makes people think hard about getting chooks, perhaps because it's not so 'normal' as keeping a cat/dog/guinea pig, especially in an urban or suburban environment.

Which brings me on to my main point. My Mum knows the family of one of the designers, and they've had chickens for years. The idea behind the Eglu is to appeal to people who wouldn't normally have thought of keeping them. People can give 2 (or now 4) chickens a far better life than a battery hen (or even many commercial free range hens) in a smallish garden. Omlets instructions give details about having more space to let them out into etc etc.

We're all members of this site because this way of life appeals to us. The Tarquins of this world ( ) like the design because the rustic look doesn't suit them. If that's what floats their boat....
The Eglu isn't aimed at the majority of people on here. It is getting more people to keep chickens, which hopefully will make them think about the origins of their other food, which can only be good.

As Leannne said it is a doddle to clean. I didn't have red mites for 2 years. My Mum now has the Eglu and 2 chickens of her own- which she wouldn't have done otherwise- and I have a bigger wooden house and more hens (!) and masses of mites
The roost bars, at least in the #1 are ground level, but that's the only fault I can think of from a performance angle. It's double skinned so the hens don't cook or freeze!, it's light and manouverable (sp?) by 1 person and is fox and rodent proof- you can leave the door open as long as they are shut in the run- ideal for overnight trips away.

Just my twopenny worth

hazel

[Chickpea]

I agree, hmk. I found the eglu site really useful in answering all my hubby's objections and worries about keeping chickens. My own worries and objections for that matter - you're right about the "mystique" thing. I've been amazed how little bother they are. No more trouble than a rabbit, as you say. Most people wouldn't worry much about getting a rabbit, they know what's involved. But chickens are an unknown quantity. I applaud the eglu people for bringing chicken-keeping to the masses.

But still. Four hundred pounds for a chicken house?

[hmk]

But still. Four hundred pounds for a chicken house?

Note I didn't buy mine

I don't know why thay're that expensive, though they are pretty indestructible and won't rot/fall apart, don't need any maintenance and you do get everything for that price- Eglu, run. 2 organic chickens, sack of food, water and food containers, weathershade, delivery and installation and I got instructions on handling/wingclipping and so on from one of the Omlet designers. I'm not sure they can still deliver personally as demand is so high (even at £400 a go).

Good point about the website though- it is very good for basic info even if you're not buying an Eglu- 2 of thejm have written a good book too- it's called Keeping Pet Chickens I think, and was rated in an article by Smallholder magazine.

BTW Did you go to Fairport this year? We went but didn't camp so we didn't get too wet

[FluffyMuppet]

We've had an eglu and two chickens since the spring time and we love it (and them). It makes chicken keeping a doddle. We both work full time and are struggling with plenty of DIY projects already.

Another advantage of the eglu (and I'm not trying to sell them here) is that its very easy to convince the health people that they're suitable for urban use because they're pretty much fox and rat proof and easy to keep clean, so you're not encouraging vermin.

They're also fairly attractive, in a modern sort of way, so no one will complain about them being an eyesore.

We probably wouldn't have chickens in our back garden if the eglu didn't exist, and they've added greatly to our lives.

[Chickpea]

hmk - yeah we went and we did camp. But it only rained a little on the first day and then it was dry through the festival until the day we were packing up and going home when we got soaking. I've seen worse - we've been years when it rained non-stop the whole weekend, and we've been years when it was so hot you couldn't move at all. This year's weather was pretty good in comparison to either of those options.