Eglu Cube

[Anonymous]

I keep my birds in 2 Eglu Cubes. I've been concerned about it as the ventilation is at perch-level, and several of my birds have had respiratory problems in spite of being kept in a clean and hygienic way. Has anyone else had these problems with birds living in Eglus?

 

[Marigold]

I used to use an Eglu Classic and I thought the ventilation was less than perfect, though my girls didn't have respiratory problems as I used to leave the pophole open. Do you close it up at night? i know that in the cube you can close it part way if the run is safe - my friend does this with his Cube. I gather from your other post that you had respiratory problems in your flock, so lack of ventilation might have made these worse, rather than caused them, do you think? There's a long thread going ATM 'Condensation in coops' where people are discussing ventilation problems, and we've been hoping an Omlet owner will contribute experience.
Also, in the Omlet houses, I would prefer proper perches - when I got my new house with 'real' perches it was so much easier to keep clean than the slatted bases in both sorts of Omlet houses.
Have you looked at the thread 'Rat? problem,' where a chicken was killed presumably by a small predator getting in through the drainage hole at the base of the moulded nestbox? Not a worry with the Cube as it's so much higher off the ground.

 

[chrismahon]

Hi Clare. As Marigold says there is a long post running on condensation which is probably the root cause if all your bedding is dry and dust free. We have a big Wyandotte cockerel in a rearing unit I have made. Lack of ventillation (meant for a mum with chicks) lead to condensation which lead to mould growth on the lid which lead to Frankie having a chronic chest infection poor lad. So bad he lost his voice!