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I am a big fan of well built British made coops and runs-apart from encouraging local businesses to thrive and utilising a carbon neutral product, but I think they are far better for the chickens health. I have compared lots of houses now and the Omlet stuff is still about twice the price of most competitors-very in with the people that want to boast, but I feel it is really better to get a well made British house and keep your chooks mite free with anti-flea drops like you would for dogs and cats-they will have more room, be healthier and therefore live longer and lay more-Win, Win. When you power wash, you spread the mites and they just trundle back!
The plastic shell is poorly ventilated, so often suffers from condensation, especially on cold nights-this attracts bacteria and viruses and can be the start of respiratory infections, which seem to be rife with Eglu owners. Then you have the problem that they are so confined in the badly ventilated area so that the disease spreads quickly and then the whole flock is infected. I have seen it happen on numerous occasions and sometimes the epidemic is fatal-so sad, so I am starting threads to see if there is a pattern! What I need is evidence, so if you have eglu's can you post threads on the life span of your chickens and any incidence of disease. If I am wrong, then I will find out.
The Eglu runs are NOT fox proof, and the catches are the most annoying-badly made and don't fit properly. The plastic fades quickly and cannot be re-painted or stained. The runs start rusting after about a year and are rotten at the base within 3 years. All in all... a big thumbs down from an experienced chicken keeper!
The plastic shell is poorly ventilated, so often suffers from condensation, especially on cold nights-this attracts bacteria and viruses and can be the start of respiratory infections, which seem to be rife with Eglu owners. Then you have the problem that they are so confined in the badly ventilated area so that the disease spreads quickly and then the whole flock is infected. I have seen it happen on numerous occasions and sometimes the epidemic is fatal-so sad, so I am starting threads to see if there is a pattern! What I need is evidence, so if you have eglu's can you post threads on the life span of your chickens and any incidence of disease. If I am wrong, then I will find out.
The Eglu runs are NOT fox proof, and the catches are the most annoying-badly made and don't fit properly. The plastic fades quickly and cannot be re-painted or stained. The runs start rusting after about a year and are rotten at the base within 3 years. All in all... a big thumbs down from an experienced chicken keeper!
. I don't have an eglu so I can't comment either way, but I do admire you for speaking out about such a big, popular, well-known brand, and trying to collect objective evidence and data rather than just having a whinge. Good luck, I hope you get lots of responses which allow you to make an informed decision and take necessary action if appropriate.
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