emmaw298 Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 hi again, i'm still new to all this and being the overly protective parent at the moment, but i have to ask with all this discussion about foxes, has there ever been any incidents of foxes getting into an eglu or an eglu run? I keep mine in the run all the time (unless Im in the garden with them) and had assumed that meant they're safe?? off to pop a 'warm' water bottle in for the night to keep the baldies warm x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I don't think there is an incident of a fox getting into the run, i.e breaking through it BUT the run is 'fox resistant', not 'fox proof'. There have been a couple of incidents where a fox either tunnelled underneath (it was on loose sandy soil, I believe) and one unfortunate incident where a hen was got through the Omlet mesh. That is very rare, but it can't be ruled out. It's very much a matter of personal views, I am entirely happy to leave my Eglu door open all night as I don't believe the fox can get into my run, and believe me he has tried! But other people feel happier to shut the Eglu door - because the Eglu, if closed up correctly, IS foxproof. I don't think there has ever been a case of a fox managing to open the eggport or the door. I think it's best to keep them in the run unless you are actually out in the garden, some people are able to let theirs free-range but I know mine would be 'foxed' within minutes if I wasn't around. It does depend on where you live, and how bold the foxes are though. Sorry, this hasn't exactly answered your question - there will be some other views shortly, no shortage of opinions on this question! PS welcome to the wonderful world of chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I think what Olly says about fox resistant rather than fox proof is right. I too feel my chooks are secure when shut in their run. Mind you, my soil is heavy and hard to dig under but I always ensure the run skirt is level and I also put heavy plant pots on top of the run skirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChicken Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I have recently started leaving the Eglu door open all night. I've pegged the run down with tent pegs and covered the skirt with compacted soil so I'm confident a fox wont be able to get in. There was a post a while ago about a fox trying to lift the skirt of the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 It is a good idea to put the Eglu on paving slabs and then nothing can tunnel in, and to weigh the run down with boulders so that the fox can't nudge its way under the the skirt of the run. A few simple precautions and you should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...