rusky said:
Are the Omlett cages worth it compared to a wooden ark?
IMO The Omlett Eglus are hugely overpriced for what they are. I wouldn't get an ark if, by ark, you mean the three-sided things, such as
Reason - wasted space by the pyramidal structure. I have a small ark as an 'emergency' shelter if I have to isolate a hen from the rest, say due to illness. But they are too restricted in room for them to be a long-term home IMO.
I started off with this:-
Which was entirely suitable for a couple of hens provided they could free-range in the garden too.
Have now moved on to this, as built by MrWc & WCMnr during summer 09.
What I found when looking to start with hens was that if any 'housing' was labelled as being for poultry, then the price was *significantly greater* than essentially the same item not labelled as 'poultry housing' but simply as 'pet' housing. Plus I found that the sellers would greatly over estimate the number of hens that can be kept humanely in any given size of accommodation. Example - quite often I'd see stuff labelled as say, 'suitable for 5 hens' and I'd certainly not put any more than two in there.
MrWC & WCMnr made the new accommodation as being walk-in height, it's far easier for me to keep it all cleaned. Plus it's of a size that the girls can be in there all day and not be squashed for space to perch, scratch about, preen etc. Building it themselves cost far, far less than buying an equivalent ready-made.
Things to think about - The main thing I am glad of is that the shelter I have (both the original & the new one) have a solid roof. It is brilliant at keeping rain/snow/hail etc., off the birds - hens don't like getting wet but they are not exactly intelligent at working out how to stay dry. Also - think predator! Mine are on a paving slab base (covered in wood chips) so Mr Fox, Mr Mink and Mr Rat etc can't dig in and get to the girls and their eggs. The mesh is weld mesh, not chicken wire. This keeps out wild birds. Thinking bird diseases here - I'm keeping out wild bird droppings and stopping contact with wild birds, so minimising the risk of my girls picking up nasties from their wild cousins (thinking particularly of parasites & bird flu here).
Having hens means you are tied - they need attention daily - but it is very little in reality - but it does need to be done daily, such as checking for eggs, providing clean water, clean food, cleaning the hen house of overnight droppings. Cleanliness is paramount as it reduces the chances of the hens picking up internal & external parasites, and any other nasties. Plus if you check your birds daily you get to know them and anything untoward can be spotted early and dealt with.
Hens are actually very easy to keep and there is something inherently comedic about hens and their curiosity. Plus a hen with a beakful of spaghetti running around the garden is hilarious to see.
I've got ex-battery hens and I recommend them to anyone wanting hens.
