How high can a chicken jump?

[Egluntyne]

Have only had my Eglu since 28th June.

 

Was giving it a good clean this pm in the sunshine. when I noticed that the hole in the nesting box was half as big again and had obvious nibble marks.

 

Rang Penny who suggested bunging it up with a stone, which I have done, having put a tablespoonful of Lazy Red Chilli in the hole first.

 

Picture in gallery but I have no idea how to create a link.

 

Am disappointed and now reconsidering whether or not to get another chicken.

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=Chickens&id=Chewed_hole

created a link for you - LJ

[Guest]

My goodness! Well done for spotting it, but that is really scary. I hate rats! Can you move the eglu?

[AnnieP]

Nasty beasts! Want to borrow an air rifle?

[The Dogmother]

Try putting a paving slab under your eglu - that should stop it.

 

Nasty rats!

[Paola]

Blimey

 

Don't let it put you off from getting more chooks

[Gallina]

I discovered that rats had burrowed underneath my Eglu from directly behind it, but luckily I spotted the hole in time and filled it in. I've put a huge plant there to stop it happening again, but this of course has to be moved every time I empty the tray, so I am considering putting the Eglu on a slab too.

 

If the Eglu and run are on soil in a permanent position, I think it is important to do a daily inspection round it to make sure nothing is going on.

 

Don't let this put you off keeping chickens. The rats are always with us, chickens or not.

[The Dogmother]

The ground under and around mine is very hard even in wet weather. I have logs behind the eglu after the fox tried to get in that way, but my next project is to try and put slabs under it; I have blagged some from a neighbour who had them left over.

[Egluntyne]

Thanks for the tip about the paving slab and the words comfort..

 

It is so obvious when you think about it, but I am embarrassed to say that it didn't occur to me. I'm blaming the menopause!!

 

Have also ordered a rat zapper and some Eradirat. One way or another I shall get the so and so.

[The Dogmother]

You go for it Egluntine!