Could we, would we, should we?

[TPeers]

Yes, agreed - and it probably looks nicer that my contraption - but can you walk into it to reach a hen you need to look at?

Dealers choice - I wanted a run I could walk into and this suited my needs. It encloses about 7 1/2 sq meters and with the ark set at the end gives about 10 sq mtrs of secure run area for my girls that I don't need to watch all day incase Mr Fox comes calling.

[RedThorn]

I had an Omlet (was fortunate enough to be given 1). I found it very awkward to clean in the run and was very difficult to move around! I gave it away in the end after building my own.

[lettucegrow!]

I had that impression about the Eglu=all looks very pretty but not at all practical.Build your own is the way to go.

[Caro]

Really useful information, everyone, thank you very much.

Besides, both my brothers are joiners and I'm sure they'd love to help me out

If I decide to take the plunge, we'll definitely build our own!

Thanks again

Caro

[pdblake]

If you have a look on my website (under Hen House) you can see how I built mine for next to nowt Ignore the chicken wire though, I've replaced that with heavy duty weldmesh. Though mine also free range under supervision now too, so the size of the run doesn't matter that much for mine.

Oh, and try to plan with extending in mind. Once you get some, you'll want more

[bluemoon]

Really useful information, everyone, thank you very much.

Besides, both my brothers are joiners and I'm sure they'd love to help me out

If I decide to take the plunge, we'll definitely build our own!

Thanks again

Caro

We built our own (well number 2 son's best friend, a carpenter, did). Not only did it work out cheaper, but we were able to have them made exactly how we wanted, to fit the area we had and the number of chickens we planned to keep. They are perfect; solid, warm, weatherproof, and the runs are huge (several square metres) and tall enough to stand up in, this also means we've been able to put logs and branches in there for the chickens to perch and climb on. I'd never consider buying a ready made one now. Also the lad who made them for us actually enjoyed doing it as it was so different from the things he usually works on. The only 'problem' was that our grandson (aged 3 at the time) rather liked the fun colours of the eglus, but we've simply treated them with the Cuprinol 'Garden Shades' range, so have one which is jade green and lilac, one which is bright blue and yellow, and one which is lavender and turquoise. OK they can probably be seen from space, but he loves them and they can always be redone in a bog-standard brown when he grows out of the primary colours stage. OH is currently halfway through a two-tone green goose house.

[RichmondHens]

I've been looking at the Cuprinol garden shades Bluemoon, I think they look quite fun. My daughter wants to paint one of our houses and we've said she can, so funky houses here we come!

[matthew2riches]

As everyone says above really - GO FOR IT!!!

[bluemoon]

And they come in 125ml tester pots too, RH, so you can do the trim in a different colour or mix your own. Ours are becoming famous (or infamous) on our lotties.

[Polly Fouracre]

The thing to remember about initial outlay is that you only have to pay once and if you cost the thing out over,say,ten years then it's not a lot.
You will have not only the lovely fresh eggs but also the joy of keeping your hens and the satisfaction of this cannot be costed!

[Flummery]

We've had our house (bought) run (home made) and chickens since April and I reckon the eggs are down to £1 each now!

However, the hours of fun are priceless.

[beulah59]

Why not load all the expense on to the first egg ... mine cost about £300 ... and after that, they're free

[MaureenHall]

Why not load all the expense on to the first egg ... mine cost about £300 ... and after that, they're free

Love it

[Suechooks]

Why not load all the expense on to the first egg ... mine cost about £300 ... and after that, they're free

Loving that Beulah!!!!

[RedThorn]

however Mine cost £15 and had 50 eggs this week!