Arc update - can anyone recommend a new hen house?

Pony Girl

Pony Girl

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This message links to my previous post about my leaky arc, but I thought I should start a new thread rather than continue high-jacking Stu's post (sorry Stu!). :oops:

This is a link to the arc we currently have: http://www.petsuperstoredirect.co.uk/poultry-ark-rs703-825-p.asp (I should stress that I didn't get it from these suppliers, but from where we bought our bantams direct) - It says that it's fully weather treated! :twisted:

Anyway, it's useless, has leaked so much we had to take it all apart and seal it, and put roofing felt all over the top. That seems to have helped stopping the rain getting in but now the main door is so bowed and buckled it won't shut! We've already had to file great chunks off it to get it to close, but it keeps happening, and it's only 4 months old! Last night was the final straw, where H2B and I we were out in the dark, in the snow and ice, having to file it down to close it! :roll:

After this latest incident with the door , we have absolutely lost our patience with it, and are therefore considering abandoning arc, and finding our chooks a nice new home. We're rubbish at d.i.y. so would like to buy a new model. It has to be flat-packed as we have to carry it through the house to get to the garden. We don't have a very large area - the dimensions of our current arc are 1320mm wide x 1270mm depth x 1062 mm height, so can't be much greater than that. It doesn't matter so much about a run as they have the run of the rest of the garden.

Can anyone recommend a link to a good model that is weather-proof, and doesn't cost the earth?
 
Pony Girl -where about are you? There are a couple of people who make strong arks at reasonable cost locally-but dont know where you are! Ros
 
Can recommend Forsham Cottage Arks, their hens houses are made from really good wood, I have about 10 of their hen houses including the Lenham and Orpington ranges. Very very easy to take apart and clean and have never leaked to this day.

Sue
 
Ask a joiner. It will cost you a bit more initially but in the long run it will work out cheaper. Plus you will be able to decide for yourselves how big you would like it etc. As a rough guide we've just built a new shed last year for our hens and it cost around £350 for the materials but it was fairly large at 8'x7'x8' high well over engineered it'll probably be still here when we're not. By the way four months is a disgrace however much it originally cost. Surely it should be fit for purpose. Kick up a stink with the supplier you never know.
 
getting in touch with the supplier is a good idea.If you get no joy, get in touch with your local trading standards office.They can make the supplier refund you.
Obviously it helps if you have the original reciepts etc.you can post them to the office or go in with your pictures as well.
 
I'd be after a full refund and an apology if that happened to me. Either that or someones heart served on a platter. :evil:
I'd be straight onto Trading Standards and then plan which sword to use.....

A bit extreme perhaps but I don't like being diddled and the hens health is also put at risk.

Osric
 
I'm not sure they would take us very seriously as we've modified it so much, but like you say with the photos, we might be able to do something! Part of me just wants to put it down to experience and move on. I have found the same product on amazon though and intend to leave a very strong review! ;)

In the meantime, I spent all day looking online yesterday for hen houses that will fit in to the space we've got. I'd be interested to see what you make of this model for my three little banties:

http://www.chickencoopsdirect.com/chicken-house1.htm
 
Pony Girl said:
I'm not sure they would take us very seriously as we've modified it so much, but like you say with the photos, we might be able to do something! Part of me just wants to put it down to experience and move on. I have found the same product on amazon though and intend to leave a very strong review! ;)

In the meantime, I spent all day looking online yesterday for hen houses that will fit in to the space we've got. I'd be interested to see what you make of this model for my three little banties:

http://www.chickencoopsdirect.com/chicken-house1.htm
Click to expand...

Had a look at the link for you, I bought one last year, it ended up on the bonfire 3 months later. Not made of proper wood, leaked, made of chinese fir they say, which are layers of almost cardboard, mites get into layers and you can;t get rid, the felt roof warped. The door into house kept warping so would not close.
Just my opinion but you would be better throwing your money down the drain.
 
Wow! :shock: Thanks for the warning, VP, I'll steer clear! It looked such a pretty house too.

Just wish there were more products out there with customer reviews and guarantees so you know what you're getting. Bet I'm not the only one having problems with my arc!
 
PG---dont know where about you are in E.SX. But if its this wayish (W>SX) Id recommend Sussex Sheds and Aviaries- just outside Pulborough-I still use an ark he made for me 14 years ago!---and they are reasonable, much stronger than any pre-mades and he will do according to your design/wishes--and hes nice but cant remember his name , but phone no. comes up on Google.Also very practical houses to your design again -very fast and reasonable again at West Wantley Poultry farm at Storrington--can google phone no again----Id go with having one made every time .I agree with VP that Forsham are good but a lot more expensive--You can see Forsham at Scats-Billingshurst and also SPR - Fontwell worth a look. If you are the far side of E.SX from me then thats all no help!!!!!!!!!!!!!-Ros :lol:
 
Thanks for all your tips, and advice everyone. I think we're going to stick with our current arc for the time being, as at least the girls are settled there and might be a case of better the devil you know! ;)

At least the door opens and closes at the moment!
 
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