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Original poster

Breeder has just refused to sell to me as I own a Cube (??)

61 replies

saltyseadog · 25/05/2010 12:00

I've just ordered a Cube - after much consideration I chose it because I work F/T and wanted to be realistic as to how much time I would have for the upkeep of a wooden run.

I've just phoned a poultry farm (one that sells birds in v.large volumes - not a hobby breeder) to be told rather sniffily that they won't sell to Omlet Eglu/ Cube owners.

Am I making a big and expensive mistake buying the Cube? Are my girls going to be unhappy in it ?

OP posts:
Millie1 · 28/05/2010 22:16

Really SKSS ... I thought that was one of the big advantages of them. Feel better about my wooden one then!

5 mins a day? OMG ... I spend 15-20 mins each morning - put food and water out (both filled up night before), then pick all droppings of floor of henhouse. I poop-pick the garden a few times a day - 5/10 mins a time, then another 10 mins at night putting them to bed, washing & filling drinker & filling feeder (it gets locked in heavy-duty bin in garage at night), poo-picking their actual run (they spend a couple of hours in it morning and evening but free-range rest of time). Am I mad? I'm going to do a big/change bedding & poultry-shield spary of house this weekend - it's been 2 weeks since I got them.

Maybe I'm just a fussy new chicken mummy but will become a slummy-mummy before too long

DOG ... don't let me put you off ... they're absolutely brilliant. My children are 8, 6 and 2yr old DT's ... the DTs looove them as does the 8 yr old, 6 yr old isn't that interested. If you're expecting No. 4, you can put DH on chicken duty over the winter!!

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 28/05/2010 22:19

I have never poo picked in the run and they're in it all the time - but it is 12ftx6ft so bigger than an Omlet run.

I don't poo pick in the house daily, can easily go 2 weeks without picking any poo/cleaning the house out.

Have kept chickens for 8 years with no problems.

Millie1 · 28/05/2010 22:22

I think I need to chill out a bit

D0G · 28/05/2010 22:24

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stripeyknickersspottysocks · 29/05/2010 11:31

My chickens just have the eglu cube and the n a big homemade run. I did the run myself and it took me about 10 minutes.

I got a load of electric fencing poles, these just push straight in the ground. Then I got some 4ft high chicken wire and some twist ties. I shoved the poles in the ground every few metres, ran the wire along and twist tied it into place. I then used tend pegs at the bottom of the fence to prevent the chickens pushing out.

Last year DH did upgrade the poles with proper wooden stakes, but the original posts did the job for many years. Still have the same chicken wire.

littleredsquirrel · 29/05/2010 12:40

They're here they're here and millie I went mad and mixed at the last minute!
They are currently chilling out in the new Cube palace and they are ..... drum roll....

Lavendar pekin bantam - Ada
Black pekin bantam - Maisie
Light Sussex bantam - Omlet (named by and belonging to DS1 (5))
Gold laced orpington - Mr Chicky (named by and belonging to DS2 (2)
Black Orpington - Florrie
Blue Cochin - Princess Layer

Its pouring with rain but we've all been peeking in through the egg hatch for the last hour!!!

sarah293 · 29/05/2010 13:10

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Millie1 · 29/05/2010 14:59

Well done LRS ... I love their names and what a lovely mix of breeds. Now I await settling in tales. It's hard to tear yourself away from them.

Ours are becoming braver in the garden and are venturing well away from their house and run ... went to look for them a while ago and they were nowhere to be seen, then I saw the little NR Hamp's head bopping around in the orchard. As long as Mr Fox doesn't appear.

Dog ... no, they don't need to free-range in the garden - like Riven says they will wreck it! Ours will be moving to a field just as soon as we get ourselves sorted and get the elec fencing up and running. Sooner the better as I'm jumpy about foxes. Have a look at the forums on the Omlet website (go to the Club tab) - they've loads of photos of different runs ... you'll get lots of ideas. Is your DH coming round to it.

Someone slap my wrist next time I poo-pick the garden!!

Original poster
saltyseadog · 29/05/2010 19:50

I love the namesx you've chosen LRS.

I'm off to see some orpies and brahmas tomorrow (bred by a poultry club member ) - I am stupidly excited about going.

OP posts:
Millie1 · 29/05/2010 21:33

Update please when you come back Salty! I can't wait to hear what you think of the Brahmas .. I was amazed by their size, they're so stately.

D0G · 29/05/2010 21:59

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Original poster
saltyseadog · 30/05/2010 16:47

Just back from the breeders The lady was lovely - really friendly and totally into her poultry, I think I have seen about 15 different breeds in one afternoon so very informative. No mention of the cube either

We are taking two brahmas, one brahma x orpie and an orpie. What was nice was that she wouldn't sell me some of her stock as she was worried that their plumage wasn't currently up to scratch; it's reassuring to know that she wouldn't want to be known for selling a dud bird. She has been breeding chickens for 40 years! Thank you to saggy and porridge for recommending going to a PC breeder. She reminded me very much of the places where we got both our dogs from - nowt fancy but someone who really knows about their animals and takes a real pride in them.

Now I just have to wait until Thurs (Cube arrival) and then Fri (chicken pick up). Only 5 more sleeps to go.

LRS - how are your girls settling in?

OP posts:
Millie1 · 30/05/2010 16:54

Exciting Salty ... four big birds! What colours did you choose? She sounds a fantastic breeder. You won't sleep a wink for next few nights.

DS has just spotted fox in field next to garden where our 3 have been f/ranging ... they're in their run now and elec fencing is half-way erected. Shall feel happier when they're inside that tomorrow.

Original poster
saltyseadog · 30/05/2010 19:10

Not good news about the fox sighting . At least you're on the case with the electric fencing.

I've got a dark brahma, a golden brahma, a buff x black orpie and then the 'hybrid' of the lot which is the orpie x brahma . She is really pretty. I've no plans to show them or breed them, so not too bothered r.e. colouring. They're all so preettyyy .

Now I'm fretting that they won't fit into the cube. However this problem could be solved by converting the two empty sheds in the garden (and then I can buy even more!)

I'm so ridiculously excited it's untrue.

OP posts:
Original poster
saltyseadog · 30/05/2010 19:12

DOG hope it all goes to plan and you get some girls too

OP posts:
littleredsquirrel · 31/05/2010 19:58

They'll be fine in the cube salty, its massive!

My girls are settling in well! They are all really friendly and happy to be hand fed and picked up. They are sleeping in the nesting box though, is that normal?

I am also becoming more and more convined that Maisie is a boy and have posted piccies on the omlet forum to see if someone can tell me! Not sure what we'll do if she is a boy!!

Millie1 · 31/05/2010 21:38

I've just seen your pics of Maisie on Omlet LRS .... she's just gorgeous. Hopefully she's just older than 12w.

Mine are still hating being picked up though I try to get time to lift them every day. We put the elec fencing up today but didn't have time to connect battery (dog had to have op and I'd to go and collect her from Vets) - anyway, the baby LRH escaped through the netting twice .... she's in for a shock tomorrow - literally

atomicsnowflake · 31/05/2010 21:51

I use a hand held steam cleaner to clean the inside of my coop. Red mites don't stand a chance against steam and it gets into all the nooks and crannies as well.

Congrats on your cube!

Original poster
saltyseadog · 31/05/2010 22:06

Thanks for the tip r.e. steam cleaner snowflake - I will dig out my Karcher.

I've just had a look at Maisie too - she is lovely LRS. Fingers crossed she's just a bit of a bad ass hen .

OP posts:
Millie1 · 31/05/2010 22:40

Link please to a hand held steam cleaner ... sounds like a great idea!

bramblebooks · 31/05/2010 22:55

I heart my cube too. My 5 live there. I have an empty eglu currently, which is somewhat dangerous ... I use it for intros.

littleredsquirrel · 02/06/2010 10:03

Fingers crossed! If positive thinking works then Maisie is going to be the girliest girl around!!

I am also liking the idea of a handheld steam cleaner! Popping over to Amazon!!

Original poster
saltyseadog · 03/06/2010 08:52

My Cube's arrived ! The Omlet van arrived at 8 which was a bit of a shocker. I now wish I'd arranged to pick up the girls today.

OP posts:
Millie1 · 03/06/2010 10:41

Woohoo! Did they build it or do you have to? Girls tomorrow? You can get it ready for them today ... all the finishing touches

bramblebooks · 03/06/2010 13:13

ooooh will you sleep tonight?

I went to wernlas yesterday and the chicken maths did for me. My dear gingernut ranger died recently and my pepperpot girl is waddling with peritonitis - but happy enough.

I've ordered a light sussex, a blue cochin and a lavender araucana for September

The cochin is to keep my big softy partridge cochin company - although she's permanently welded to her little legbar friend, she's so quiet.

Might need to investigate another cube extension for the odd days that they're in digs.

So empty eglu will be full again - all I need now is a broody so I can hatch some banty babies ...

Addicted!