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Strepsy

Horrendous evening and security question

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Last night Bobbins was taken from our Eglu by a local teenager. He had been in his friend's garden, which backs on to ours, earlier and had been saying he wanted a chicken and could he have one and apparently he kept staring at the run and Eglu, so much so that our daughter was scared and came in to tell us but he had gone when hubby went out.

 

The chooks went off to bed as normal and we checked on them and shut the Eglu door at about half past 8. When I went up to bed at about 10 I looked into the garden from our bathroom window and saw the boy jump over his friend's fence and into the one next to ours. I shouted hubby who went straight out and he ran off when hubby shouted his name. But then on checking the Eglu hubby realised that Bobbins had been taken, :cry: the boy had obviously been coming back for more :evil:

 

After knocking at the boy's house and getting no answer our nextdoor neighbour came out to help us look as obviously we had no idea if she was still in our garden, next door's, or even been killed. The neighbour knocked at the boy's house as they know the family more but still no answer, they were definitely in :evil: so he opened the side door and found Bobbins huddled in a corner of their outhouse. I couldn't believe it when they found her, I was just so relieved as you can probably imagine. She actually seems fine after her ordeal and has laid her first egg this morning. They have been noisier and unsettled but I think physically fine thank goodness.

 

Police took a statement and we may have to go to court.

 

So how on earth can I lock or secure the nestbox door on the Eglu? Has anyone had to do this themselves, at the moment I just can't imagine how but my head is still spinning a bit so I'm really hoping someone has an answer.

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How awful for you - I am so glad you found her.

 

You may be able to secure a long hinged padlock bolt to stop the eppport lid being taken off without a key - I am sure someone with more DIY info will be along to offer a better description of what I mean.

 

If I can find a picture of what I mean I'll post it.

 

Try this link

 

Hasp and Staple

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I don't have the answer I'm afraid but I have just sat here reading your post, literally with an open mouth. I cannot get my head round such behaviour (or that of his parents). I'm sorry that you and Bobbins have had such a trauma. I would certainly get a PIR light so that it comes on if he tries to go in your garden again, and good on your neighbour opening the door and finding her.

 

horrid horrid vile boy :evil:

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How awful for you - I am so glad you found her.

 

You may be able to secure a long hinged padlock bolt to stop the eppport lid being taken off without a key - I am sure someone with more DIY info will be along to offer a better description of what I mean.

 

If I can find a picture of what I mean I'll post it.

 

hasp and staple?

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How awful for you - I am so glad you found her.

 

You may be able to secure a long hinged padlock bolt to stop the eppport lid being taken off without a key - I am sure someone with more DIY info will be along to offer a better description of what I mean.

 

If I can find a picture of what I mean I'll post it.

 

hasp and staple?

 

Thats the one! - I have posted a link in my original reply.

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I have THIS keeping a watchful eye over my garden, its a good quality camera with a half decent night vision that will cover about 20-25 meters.

It also glows red at night (The Infra red LED's) and can act as a deterent for anyone spotting it.

 

Its wireless to the TV reciever but still needs power to work so will need a power outlet. Range is ok but drasticly reduced when a brick wall is in the way.

 

n12cx.jpg

 

 

Just noticed its out of stock :-(

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Absolutely unbelievable :shock: . What on earth was the boy thinking! Thank goodness you were able to rescue Bobbins, bless her. I hope you're able to secure the Eglu. If none of the solutions help, the only thing I can suggest is to build a run to put the Eglu in as you can padlock the run door to keep unwanted people out.

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Thanks everyone, I just feel so lucky to have looked out when I did as if I hadn't then the chooks probably wouldn't have been checked on until morning and by then it might have been too late. Have just popped round to neighbours to thank them again and give them a box of eggs. :)

 

Will look into security ideas, thanks.

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Yes, a shocking incident indeed. My sympathy goes out to Bobbin's owner and Bobbin.

 

At the same time, I wonder about the boy as well. Locally a dog had his throat slashed and two cats were also violently attacked. There doesn't seem to be any indication that the boy was intent on mayhem.

 

The relationship between domestic fowl and humans is ancient one. The boy could have acted on impulse, not thinking about the impact of his behaviour. Teenagers are not great on impulse control!

 

Perhaps Bobbin's owner (apologies but the name is in the first part of this thread) could invite the boy and his parents to come and see the chickens and pet them if possible. It would be an opportunity to educate the boy about the fact that what he did had an impact on other people. Sometimes people (especially those with a background of neglect) have no idea.

 

If it does become a legal matter, I would hope that your local constabulary or court would see this as an appropriate case for "restorative justice" which is simply a matter of the guilty party having to meet with the victim(s), hear their distress and do something to express their remorse. This approach not only can prevent children becoming criminalised, it is also much more beneficial to the victims themselves.

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my parents live in a smallish village in Cambridgeshire and in their parish newsletter last week there was a warning that chickens had been stolen. I don't know whether from farms or private gardens, but they are obviously popular at the moment and some unscrupulous people are trying to cash in. Glad bobbins got home safe and well.

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I cant believe how someone would have the nerve to pinch a chicken! :evil:

 

If he wants one so much why doesnt he go and buy one. :evil:

 

Im not sure how you would secure an eglu, unless you surround the eglu and run with electric fencing?

 

We have a walk in run which can be padlocked.

 

I would also maybe concentrate on proofing your fencing with stuff on the top so he cant climb up (you can get those spikey intruder strips)

 

good luck and im so relieved bobbins is back home with you safe and sound.

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OMG that's awful and fancy the parents ignoring the door as well!

 

However, could the boy have developmental problems and not realise the implications of what he did. It's the type of thing one of my daughters friends brothers would do as he has lots of problems and will need constant adult supervision thoughout his life. Mind you his parents wouldn't just ignore it if he'd done something like that.

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