Nesting box modifications in Eglu Go Up

[megtree]

Is the Eglu second hand? There are two bits of mesh that sit under the front of the eglu at the corners that often get lost when Eglus get sold on they are meant to stop such tunnelling

 

They are in the shop here: https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken+Keeping&sub=Spares&product_id=499&product_name=Run+Skirt+Square+-+Pair

 

I bought a 5m roll of weldmesh, rolled it out on the ground and and sat my eglu and run on it, a cover of woodchips prevents the hens catching their feet

 

Ohhh...that would make absolute sense, it's certainly the corner where they gained access - yes it is second hand. I feel so guilty not protecting them properly If we get some more (which I would love to do) I'll make sure I do all of the above - it'll be like fort knox! Thank you

[The Dogmother]

I'm sorry to hear your hens Megtree; can you clarify exactly how the fox gained access to a closed eglu though - I can't see who it would happen, and they don't have gnawing teeth like rats, so would have found to hard to chew its way in.

[megtree]

That is a terrible shock to me. I can't understand how a fox could have done that. I have heard of a bantam being caught through the gap above the poop tray at the back and I have heard of rats chewing the drainage hole in the nesting box, but I have never come across a fox actually getting into the eglu itself. Do you know how it did that yet?

 

I suggest you contact Omlet and inform them. For future design modifications, they need to know.

 

Thanks for all your comments, Ginette, slowly engaging brain after the shock (and telling my nearly 4 yr old ) Within 2 days of getting the chooks the fox had managed to remove the droppings tray and chew a section at the back - new to this I was amazed! Of course I subsequently secured the back part but it's possible that, being second hand the door mechanism isn't what it once was...I don't know...I need time to have a proper post mortem as it were. The eglu was second hand-I had assumed fine but who knows - and also missing the corner skirt parts so there's a lot to look at. I don't mean to worry anyone on here, if it was a persistent problem we'd all hear it a lot. Nice to not feel quite so alone on a bleak Monday morning! Just feel so guilty...

[The Dogmother]

Oh dear, are you sure it was a fox? From what you report, it may have been a badger or mink/ferret - they have much better gnawing teeth than a fox.

[megtree]

It's rife with foxes around here, loads of them, so I have assumed all along that they are the enemy to look out for but I'm open to any suggestions. When my daughters aren't around I'll have a thorough look around but something's certainly been chewing the plastic at the back. TBH haven't had the heart to do more than clear up feathers so far today...

[Guest]

Poor you. I am so, so sorry.

 

If you can take a few pictures, that would be useful too.

[taz1967]

Hi Magtree. Sorry to hear your sad news. Ive got all this to come as we are getting our Cube and Chicks on the 14th June (not long now).

 

Some pics of the damage would be good and may help others with the same Eglu in overcoming othe potental problems.

 

Cheers

Gary x

[Guest]

Gary, I just wanted to say that whilst we all have to be extremely vigilant because of foxes, being foxed is not inevitable. I have had hens for almost 5 years now and although we back onto fields and see and hear foxes, my hens have never been taken. (Gosh, that feels a bit like tempting fate!)

My advice would be to read about how to outwit the foxes as much as you can and to take all the precautions you are able to.

Don't let this colour your excitement. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your hens and your lovely cube when they and it arrive. What colour have you chosen and how many hens are you going to have?

[taz1967]

Hi Ginette

 

Oh I wont let it cloud my view and excitement. We have a Fox (maybe more) pass through our garden every night. it sets off our security light and it always gets a little startled when that come on. I was going to put up some 6ft willow sheet rolls against my neighbours fence panels just to make it that bit harder for them to come over the fences. I live in hope that they will take anopther route around my garden.

 

We are also in the process of planning a WIR but that will still be a few months off, or maybe next year (money dependant) and that will be on a solid base as Im just about to start laying/making that.

 

Cheers

Gary

[Guest]

Hi Gary, I'm glad you're still positively looking forward to the arrival of your girls.

 

I have a walk in run which we built about 6 months after our first girls arrived. It is not on a solid base, but we laid paving slabs all around it with the chicken wire (2-3 layers) buried underneath. A fox is not apparently bright enough to start digging further back. The most expensive bit was the corrugated plastic for the roof.

 

Male urine is an effective deterrent, but won't protect your hens ultimately of course so don't rely on it.

[taz1967]

Male urine is an effective deterrent, but won't protect your hens ultimately of course so don't rely on it.

 

Hmmm. I will have to sweet talk the wife into letting me do this. But better leave it till night otherwise the neighbours may think im a bot of a wiredo hehehehehe.

 

Gary

[Guest]

My husband hates doing it - and in fact uses a jug inside and then takes it outside!

[sandyhas3chucks]

Just seen this.....

I don't know where I got this idea from, esp as none of the "experts" have mentioned it, so maybe I dreamt it all up.

But I thought Omlet now sold a mesh skirt for under the Eglu itself?

I know that I thought it was not listed on the pages but thoughtI knew they cost about £5. ????????

Anyone.

[Christian]

You didn't dream it Sandy, Tasha mentioned it on page 2

[sandyhas3chucks]

You didn't dream it Sandy, Tasha mentioned it on page 2

phew

EVEN cheaper than I thought too!!!

I had seen that but was thinking about the 2 pieces at the FRONT of the run, as I had a second had one without these bits

I must say the thought of a fox getting INTO a shut Eglu will be doing my fox paranoia no good at all, or is that good cos it feeds it?

I do hope some pictures are posted soon,of the damage etc. so we can all be "ready".

[scarlettohara]

Maybe Omlet could offer a wire mesh square (same stuff as the run is made of) to go under the Eglu and a foot or so into the run in front of the door? This would make that area a bit safer. I suppose I could do the same with chicken wire - although I have been warned that foxes can bite through this.....

 

Great idea Janet, perhaps you could use the mesh floor that they sell for the Rablu to stop the bunnies tunnelling out. See it here

 

Sorry useless at maths (really useless got U in O level) how much would I need for a cube with 2 run extensions ?

[sandyhas3chucks]

Is the Eglu second hand? There are two bits of mesh that sit under the front of the eglu at the corners that often get lost when Eglus get sold on they are meant to stop such tunnelling

 

They are in the shop here: https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken+Keeping&sub=Spares&product_id=499&product_name=Run+Skirt+Square+-+Pair'>https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken+Keeping&sub=Spares&product_id=499&product_name=Run+Skirt+Square+-+Pair

 

I bought a 5m roll of weldmesh, rolled it out on the ground and and sat my eglu and run on it, a cover of woodchips prevents the hens catching their feet

I missed this link also, so thought I should sort of bump the info. Very good price!!!!

They are in the shop here: https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php

[Brensmum]

Im really tempted to get the paving slabs underneath my eglu and run, but wouldnt this make it easier for the fox to get in (being on paving means I cant use the pegs....)?

[Patricia W]

Foxes occasionally have got in the run in by digging underneath in soft soil. If you put it on slabs and weight the skirt down as well with bricks or more slabs instead of pegging it down, they can't do that.

[Roobaloo]

Im really tempted to get the paving slabs underneath my eglu and run, but wouldnt this make it easier for the fox to get in (being on paving means I cant use the pegs....)?

 

As Patricia says, sandwich the run's "skirt" between two slabs, then the fox can't dig or lift it. Make you're they're a good weight! If you're really worried...then you could also peg it down like a tent, with guide ropes! Obviously this does create a trip hazard...so make sure the guide ropes are highly visable and the pegs are hammered well into the ground!!

[sandyhas3chucks]

put some lovely heavy and pretty flower pots on it!