Omlet Eglu Pro Chicken Coop review

The Omlet Eglu Pro Chicken Coop is available from Omlet.

How easy is it to set up the Omlet Eglu Pro chicken coop?

It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into the design and manufacturing of the Eglu Pro coop. Every piece is carefully packaged, sturdy, well made and is coded to ensure ease of construction. All the tools are supplied – these are great quality and can be used again, which is always a bonus. Together with my husband, we built the coop over the period of a weekend, taking us five hours in total to complete.

Even though it was quite time consuming the instructions actually made the process quite enjoyable – think top range IKEA instructions combined with a LEGO kit. Every step was clear on the instructions – they even had diagrams of what not to do. Each part had a number which corresponded to the step in the instructions and I think it would be very difficult to put it together in the wrong way! While parts of the construction did require two sets of hands, most of it could have been done solo. The kids were also able to get involved – it was a great opportunity to teach them how to use some of the tools to tighten the screws and how to follow instructions.

What’s the Omlet Eglu Pro coop like for the chickens?

It's very roomy. We are testing the coop with six large brown hens which we rescued from a local egg production house. The Omlet Eglu Pro coop and run accommodates them perfectly and we have space to add a few more hens, which we may do in future.

The coop is manufactured in a way that it stays well insulated in the colder weather but has ventilation for warmer weather, ensuring the chickens are kept comfortable no matter what the British weather throws at us. They settled very well into the Eglu Pro coop, so must have felt safe and secure and did not stop laying eggs, which is a good sign that they are happy. They took to the nesting boxes straight away and it's great that you can shut the nesting area door to stop them roosting there at night.

There's a ladder up to the main coop and the chickens had this mastered within the first hour – they have no problem popping up and down it.

The heavy duty steel mesh run is fox resistant, which give us great peace of mind as we have lost chickens to foxes in the past. There is anti-tunnel skirting which stops any predators trying to dig their way in.

How easy is it to clean the Omlet Eglu Pro chicken coop?

It's very easy to clean. The slide-out nesting trays are removed with ease and can be power-washed or scrubbed clean. The ladder is a little more difficult to clean because of its ridges, but these are necessary for the chickens to be able to grip. The fact you can move the coop and run around means it's easier to keep clean and less muddy in general. We've found a good clean can be done within an hour and it comes up like new! The kids love to get involved with the cleaning.

How family-friendly is the chicken coop?

The Omlet Eglu Pro is the most child-friendly coop I have come across, especially considering how secure and sturdy it is. There are safety latches, which ensure the littlest hands of my 4 year old cannot open them (a good thing!) but my 6 and 9 year old can open with ease. They can collect the eggs by themselves and also help with the cleaning process by removing the trays. I particularly like how the children can enter the run easily, to give the chickens treats and cuddles. There are no sharp edges that can cause injury to children, everything is smooth and rounded. My only criticism regarding safety is the back door to the coop, which is quite heavy and can fall to the ground when opened. My eldest has a close shave with this door, but is now aware to be careful when opening it.

Raising chickens and being able to get hands on with them is a great learning tool and this coop facilitates this perfectly. My kids love coming home from school to head out to see how many eggs have been laid that day. It's great that they are learning about where their food comes from and the responsibility of having pets to look after. The Omlet comes with its own egg boxes, which the children have been able to fill with eggs and give to family, friends and bring in to school for their teachers. Such a nice touch!

What features of the Omlet Eglu Pro chicken coop did you find most useful?

The Eglu comes with some great features, in particular the automatic smart door which is a lifesaver when it comes to busy mornings and evenings. I don't have to worry about nipping out to open the door as there is a light sensor which opens the door to allow the chickens out when the sun rises, and closes come dusk – something the chickens picked up on within two days. The door can also be opened or closed manually or via the Omlet app, and you can even set specific times.

I like how the Eglu Pro has adjustable vents, which gives me control of the temperature inside the coop and keeps the chickens comfortable no matter the temperature outside.

Another great feature is how easy it is to collect eggs. The nest box can be opened and closed with one hand, which I find useful as the other hand generally has an egg or two in it.

We tested the 4m run extension with the coop, which is great if you don't have the space to allow chickens to free roam securely. It can also be covered come winter or if bird flu restrictions require.

How easy is the Omlet Eglu Pro chicken coop to move around?

The run has wheels which is great, however I do find the whole thing too heavy to move single handedly. To me it definitely feels like a two-person job. I would love to move the coop a small amount every day, but I cannot do this alone. Also, it's worth being aware that the inside perches have to be moved separately, as these are not attached to the structure.

How well does the Omlet Eglu Pro chicken coop fit into your garden?

We are fortunate to have a very large outdoor space, however this coop would still fit well in a medium to large back garden. The coop dimensions are H53cm x W147cm x D85cm and the run extends to 4m, however runs come in different sizes and shapes so you can choose what works best for your space.

How does it handle the weather?

Brilliantly! The Omlet Eglu Pro claims to be fully waterproof and we have had some very wet days but inside the coop remained bone dry. It's great at keeping the wind out and is study enough to withstand any storms. While we haven't had a chance to test it over the winter months yet, the coop is well insulated and I am confident it will keep out the frost.

How sustainable is the Omlet Eglu Pro chicken coop?

I love the fact the Eglu is made for life. Packaging wasn't excessive and all the cardboard packaging was able to be sent to the recycling centre. Even the tools supplied can be reused as they are of such good quality. All parts of the coop are easily replaced if necessary and can be ordered via the Omlet website. It also has a 10-year warranty and is designed to last. Given the price of eggs these days, chickens are a welcome addition to our household.

What would you have wanted to know before buying the Omlet Eglu Pro chicken coop?

Definitely how big a job it is to build. It comes in seven large boxes, which took up a fair bit of space, and it was time-consuming putting it all together. I would recommend having a friend or two round for a coop party to help put it together if you don't have someone on hand. I think it's also important to be aware that, when the coop is attached to the 4m run, it can't be moved by a single person.

Is the Omlet Eglu Pro worth the money?

There's no getting around the fact that at £1,499+ this is an investment. However, I would purchase an Omlet Eglu Pro again as I feel the quality is worth it. I don't have to worry about purchasing treatment for red mite or be concerned about it rotting with time. The intuitive design also lets my kids become fully involved in keeping chickens which is priceless.

Where can I buy the Omlet Eglu Pro chicken coop?

It's available from Omlet.

MadeForMums verdict

I would 100% recommend the Omlet Eglu Pro chicken coop to families. It has changed the way we raise chickens as a family and our chickens are having the best retirement in it. It would be best suited to a family with a bit of outdoor space that could accommodate the sizeable build, and would be great for anyone new to chicken keeping due to its ease of use.