WTD: Omlet Eglu for either rabbits or Guine Pigs

[Andrea]

I am looking for a second hand (or brand new) omlet eglu for my guinea pig. Any colour but must be in good condition. I live in Manchester, but would be willing to travel to surrounding areas. A courier may be possible for further distances.

[karenrgpr]

Hi, These are totally unsuitable accomadation for rabbits, guineas and hens. Keeping them properly clean would prove to be a nightmare, ventilation is poor and they are too cold for piggies to live in.

I believe that a fox could get into one, though they claim they are fox proof I believe- wouldn't chance it myself.

You are better off buying a 6 by 4 shed and converting it for your guinea to live in, they should be in a shed now, out of the damp. The price you will pay for an Eglu you could get electric (and possibly water) run up to your shed :)

I have recently refused to rehome some guineas into a home that had bought one of these.

Sorry to be soooo negative but you could do so much better for your guinea (why not treat him to a friend with the money you save ;)

[Andrea]

Hi, These are totally unsuitable accomadation for rabbits, guineas and hens. Keeping them properly clean would prove to be a nightmare, ventilation is poor and they are too cold for piggies to live in.

I believe that a fox could get into one, though they claim they are fox proof I believe- wouldn't chance it myself.

You are better off buying a 6 by 4 shed and converting it for your guinea to live in, they should be in a shed now, out of the damp. The price you will pay for an Eglu you could get electric (and possibly water) run up to your shed :)

I have recently refused to rehome some guineas into a home that had bought one of these.

Sorry to be soooo negative but you could do so much better for your guinea (why not treat him to a friend with the money you save ;)


I didn't realise. I thought with them being plastic, they would be warm (as they claim) in winter, and after watching a few videos on the site, they look very easy to clean....

[karenrgpr]

They are unsuitable as permanent accomadation, ventilation is bad so cleaning out MUST be very often, they would overheat in the summer and be too cold in the winter. Guineas also need ventilation all year round and a heated shed (or indoors is best).

Imagine cleaning it out in the rain, say we got a week of rain? Where do you put the pigs while you clean out? A friend saw the company with them at a show and said they were very awkward to open and actually access. Cleaning out seemed to be very difficult too. But maybe it was just him that found it hard. Its a litter tray sytem isn't it?

Go for a small shed and put an old hutch stuffed with hay etc in there(not forgetting piggy friend ;), much better in my opinion.

Oh, and they are very small, guineas won't be able to go out on damp grass so will spend much of their time in the actual Egloo, its definitely too small for rabbits despite their claims about it being OK.

Sorry nothing convinces me these are any good at all >:(

[Andrea]

Don't apologise if that's your opinion. I'm glad someone knows more about them than me. There are far too expensive anyway, and doubt I would find a second hand one. Although, you have raised some concerns.

[linda.b]

To be honest didn't have a clue what you meant, so googled and saw some pics. I have to agree with karenrgpr. I think they may be ok as a run in the summer (in the shade) but not for a permanent home. They would actually be better in an outside hutch which is covered over at night with tarp preferably in a garage or shed. How many piggys do you have? If its just the one, I'd get an indoor cage and have the pleasure of his or her company all the time. I keep my boy indoors and he is just lovely.

[Pinkfluff]

I was actually going to start a thread on these, I'm not interested in getting one as not only do they look too small they came across as being rather awkward (I could be wrong...) but I was wondering if anybody had any actual experience of them.
It's interesting to have my fears confirmed.
I must say they are quite seductive in their design I don't blame you for being interested, I bet they've made a tidy profit.

[maxthepig]

There's been quite a debate about these on the Rabbits United forum, with the general consensus being that they are expensive rubbish!

[karenrgpr]

My friend has seen one on display at a show and as well as being too small he reckoned they were awkward to clean out. They are also way too small and there is no air circulation, he says.

A shed will only set you back £100 or so (plus prep) and is much better than an outdoor hutch which will cost almost the same- if not more! Room for a friend too ;)

Or Cavy Cages will fit anywhere and any shape inside your home.

I don't even like the colours, I don't find them 'seductive' at all ;D

Lets think about how the plastic will hold moisture in and lead to condensation and Fungal conditions... Especially if it rains on your cleaning out day and the pigs are left a day or two longer...

[Pinkfluff]

I don't even like the colours, I don't find them 'seductive' at all ;D

Lets think about how the plastic will hold moisture in and lead to condensation and Fungal conditions... Especially if it rains on your cleaning out day and the pigs are left a day or two longer...


;D fair point, I would not have one, but I'm sorry I can see why some people would be tempted, the products are advertised as being a neat, tidy, "stylish" alternatives to traditional housing. A visitor to their site is bombarded with breed and species information making the company seem like an authority on the animals, thereby waylaying any fears.
I was shocked by the price I have to say and do agree that for same price (or less) you could have a shed for your pigs, however alot of people don't live in particularly shed friendly accomodation, there have been arguments for years surrounding the 'rotastack and habitrail' style hamster/gerbil/mouse housing but no matter what is said loads of people still buy the products because they are aesthetically appealing; especially to younger eyes. I have to say I think it is that niche that the company is marketing itself towards.

I didn't mean to offend anyone by suggesting that they are 'seductive' :-[ I just didn't want to 'daemonise' anybody who would think about getting one (like Andrea).

[cavykind]

I've never heard of these things? I'll have to do a search and take a look :-\

Edited to add: Just had a peak :o
I can see that as an addition to the day time run in a garden they may have a use, but surely you don't shut them up in there on a night time >:(

Barbara

[Andrea]

Thanks everyone, like I said I am glad you all know about them, I simply didn't realise. It wouldn't have been permanant housing, the house I am about to buy has a stone outhouse which I am going to convert, the Eglu was just going to be, sort of outside housing - Somewhere I can put him outside in nice weather.....but they are far too expensive for that, so a normal run will have to do! I just like the look of them, but that is not what is always best for the animal. Thanks again, the Egu is off my list. :)

[karenrgpr]

:) No, I don't want to offend anyone :) but Andrea has raised a good point regarding these and although she didn't ask for an opinion I felt the need to give one as you would give advice on say someone asking for a rabbit rescue because they wanted to keep one with their guinea ;)

People can and will keep their animals as they choose, no one can change that, but I believe they should be armed with advice. You are right, not only is the design 'seductive' (if not to me LOL!) but their site is too, I think the site is probably as much to blame in all this as anything.

No offence taken Pinkfluff ::)

Hope you can make an informed choice now Andrea 8)

Never had Habitrail, just cages and cardboard tubes and boxes for my Hammys and they loved it ;D Gerbs had an aquarium with peat and oodles of boxes and tubes, they were our recycling People for the cardboard, everything went their way ;D

[hopperhaven]

I home checked one of these for a rabbit and was shocked at how small the living quarters are :( It can work for small rabbits during the summer if they are never shut into the enclosed bit, and get out for better exercise sometimes, but not in the winter. I made the people build new winter accomodation before I bonded my rabbit to their rabbit. A huge waste of money is my verdict, although not bad as a run for grazing. And the guinea one is smaller:(

[hils78]

I very nearly brought one of these for the 2 urban chickens I had. But as mentioned above you are actually buying a sweat box or chiller box - depending on the time of year. If I'm honest the bright plastic did appeal to me ::) But in such a small garden it just doesn't fit into the corners. Then reality hit!

If you look carefully at the Rabbit / GP one the slope on the entrance is really quite steep. I know my older pig wouldn't be able to get up it if it were wet.
I brought my 12ftx5ft shed for £20 more than an eglu. Its got 2 big windows a door + head room (if you're under 6'2). At one end an intergrated bunk bed with ladder. Which is where my girls have their double decker C&C with own floor to ceiling window (was meant for my daughter - honest ;). Treated in Cuprinol & erected.

[BEATRICE]

I keep chickens and NO way would I keep my girls in one of these let alone my piggies. They are far too small for hens and the house is tiny. My girls have a 12 x 12ft run plus a lovely big hen house. They also have free range of the garden for an hour each day. My piggies love their run by the hens ... watching them ! ;D Hope this helps.

[Amsy1991]

I have one i use for outdoor use in the run.Thats only for 1 hour or so.Is that harmful to my piggies?