farrowy Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I was cleaning the eglu the other day - and when I turned the base over I could see something has been chewing away at the hole in the nesting box, looks like a mouse must have got under the eglu and has been trying to widen the hole to get in. We have now put a block of wood under the hole to stop it but just wanted to let people know as I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't turned the base over. Pesky rodents!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I would supect a rat rathr than a mouse - quite a few people have had them nesting under the Eglu this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farrowy Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 uurrgggg!!!!!! Hate rats!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 that would give your girlies a fright if they were sitting on the nest box and felt gnawing in their nether regions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I would recommend some strong mesh underneath to deter them from digging under the eglu, plus traps or baited poison boxes, as they will be back. Rats will attack hens (they have been known to eat them while they sleep) Not nice I know, but they do need to be deterrred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 they have been known to eat them while they sleep Surely they don't sleep that deeply . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 they have been known to eat them while they sleep Surely they don't sleep that deeply . That's what I thought, but I have been assured it can happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I've read that too - years ago traditional coops had a slatted floor and rats would eat the chickens feet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farrowy Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 ohmygosh - how horrible - thankyou for the advice. I'm going to get some rat traps tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 I have to agree with the rat theory, that hole is a lovely size for a mouse to get through, so they would have no need to gnaw to make it bigger, but it is the perfect size for a ratty nose and teeth to get to. One of my grandads cockerals was a fabulous ratter. Grandad would often visit his hens he kept 'up the lane' and find dead rats in the chicken shed, all pecked to death. They were whoppers too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 It happened to me! I now have stones underneath to prevent anything gnawing again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChicken Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 I'm going to check the underneth of our Eglu later. Most nights we have something trying to dig around the edge of the run and under the Eglu. We have stones covered in earth under and around the Eglu and most mornings some of the earth has been removed but whatever is digging stops when they hit the stones. Down one side of the run loads of woodchippings are pulled out of the run and the earth dug away just inside the run like something is reaching in through the bars. A sonic pest controller covers the affected area but doesn't seem to work, maybe because I never know if i should set it to rat, cat or fox. I hope theres nothing nasty living under our Eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
