4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Hugh'n'Den]

Was cleaning the girls out at the weekend and realised that something had successfully, overnight, chewed a hole through the two layers of the door at the top of the steps into the cube. A nice round hole big enough for a mouse or a small rat to get in. The coop was shut so whatever got in was small enough to get in either by squeezing under or through the mesh. The girls seem fine but should I be worried? Are they in any danger, or can they look after themselves? I considered the fact that the girls had tried to peck their way out (miffed at being shut in (for the recent cold winter nights) until at least an hour after sunrise) but I'm convinced only a rodent's teeth could have done this.

 

Any help/suggestions gratefully received.

 

Thanks

 

Hugh'n'Den

 

[Link to photograph http://www.flickr.com/photos/robjennings/3097091937/ ] Added 10/12/08

Edited December 10, 2008 by Guest

[Snowy]

Oh my goodness, it definitely sounds like a rodent - I doubt the chooks could've done that! My guess would be a mouse, but I've heard a few tales lately of weasels attacking chickens. Keep an eye on it, if a mouse it won't do the chickens any harm - in fact they are more likely to eat it! But I'd be worried if it were a weasel Not sure a weasel could get through the bars though. I'd also contact Omlet to see if they can supply a replacement part. Good luck - hope you catch the culprit!

[Hugh'n'Den]

Thanks for the response Snowy. We do have weasels/stoats and it had crossed my mind. I think they are small enough to get through the mesh and the hole in the door is big enough for them to get through but they wouldn't get an egg let alone a chicken back out! I'm pretty sure the damage was done in one night so I'm not convinced that getting the door replaced will help much (not unless it is re-enforced).

 

I don't really want to kill whatever it is - just put it off. I'm going to read up now on weasels and chickens.

 

Thanks again.

 

Hugh'n'Den

 

PP

[The Dogmother]

My guess would be a ferret or a rat.

 

Could you take some pictures and email them to james@omlet.co.uk ?

[Mrs Kettle]

We have an eglu and something chewed the ventilation hole at the bottom of the nest box about a year ago. When I say 'something', I'm pretty sure it was a rat. The hole was big enough that a small rat could have squeezed through. As I result, I now balance the eglu on bricks, with one directly under the nesting box, and I've no evidence that a rat has ever got in.

[Egluntyne]

I had the same as you MrsKettle with my first Eglu.

 

I now maintain a vigilant all year round battle with the rat....bait boxes and traps galore.

[Hugh'n'Den]

My guess would be a ferret or a rat.

 

Could you take some pictures and email them to james@omlet.co.uk ?

 

I will try and get a picture taken in the morning. I personally think a ferret is unlikely but a rat is a strong probablility

 

I've moved the cube to a new position in the hope that this might at least buy me some time.

 

I'm also hoping that Kiev (who always stands guard at the entrance) gave whatever it was a good peck (when it eventually managed to poke its head through) and gave it the fright of its life.

 

[The Dogmother]

Sounds like you need to borrow a terrier

[KAZAROO]

Oh my goodness, it definitely sounds like a rodent - I doubt the chooks could've done that! My guess would be a mouse, but I've heard a few tales lately of weasels attacking chickens. Keep an eye on it, if a mouse it won't do the chickens any harm - in fact they are more likely to eat it! But I'd be worried if it were a weasel Not sure a weasel could get through the bars though. I'd also contact Omlet to see if they can supply a replacement part. Good luck - hope you catch the culprit!

 

A weasel can get through a gap the size of an egg cup! They are very slinky... but it could just be MR mouse!!!!

[chickenanne]

I would be inclined to worry about drafts, and about preventing it happening again: it does surprise me that a mouse could chew through an eglu, I would dount it being a weasel - they're not really "gnawers" are they? More likely a rat, which can hurt chickens, as well as spreading diseases etc. Was teh eglu damaged beforehand?

[Hugh'n'Den]

Sounds like you need to borrow a terrier

 

Our cat is normally a pretty good mouser (and occasional ratter) but with the colder nights he seems less inclined to go out - preferring to curl up on the floor where the hot water pipes are!!

[Hugh'n'Den]

Here's a link to the picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/robjennings/3097091937/

 

The girls are still all untouched and I don't think that whatever it was has put in a repeat appearance

 

Hugh'n'Den

[The Dogmother]

Hmmm, looks ratty to me

 

They will be back

 

Did you get a response from Omlet?

[Hugh'n'Den]

Hmmm, looks ratty to me

 

They will be back

 

Did you get a response from Omlet?

 

Only sent the photo today. I'll let you know what the response is.