Cinnamon Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I was woken at 3am by the sounds of an unhappy chicken - you know the noise - the "bock,bock, bock" one I took a look outside with my big torch & all looked well,but it carried on so I enlisted The Hubbys help (MANY protestations!),got my dressing gown on & went for a look. At first glance all looked well - chickens snoring away,but then I noticed poor Poppy all huddled in the corner of the pen,obviously terrified. I popped her back into the Eglu,& shut the door (it was previously open) One other odd thing - there as what looked like a mole hill inside the pen too Has anyone else had a sleepwalking chicken? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 oh bless her cotton socks (if she had any!) do you think that a fox could have been prowling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Sarah...I wonder if a little mouse had buried it's way into the Eglu or run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I popped her back into the Eglu,& shut the door (it was previously open)One other odd thing - there as what looked like a mole hill inside the pen too Have you had mole problems in your area before? I would imagne that a marauding mole in the run WOULD disturb the chooks, and if the door wasn;t quite shut properly perhaps it could have opened it? Hope your girls are all fine today, and not too traumatised by everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 13, 2006 Author Share Posted September 13, 2006 Too much loose mud for a mouse, & the Eglu is up on a stand so I don't think the mole poked his head in The girls have loved digging through the pile of earth this morning Poppy is fine this morning & has just laid a lovely egg,so I don't think too much harm has been done Now - how on earth am I going to de-mole a large chicken pen ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 - moles can be a big problem Sarah. You can buy something which you stick into the hole and it deters the mole - but I'm sure your girls will enjoy playing with that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 13, 2006 Author Share Posted September 13, 2006 I think a few weeks of shutting the Eglu door at night until he passes through should sort it I am sure they would LOVE to meet the little chap & ....erm....say hello Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 My friend has problems with moles and has planted those little plastic windmill thingies around her garden. You know the sort of thing...you put them on sandcastles etc. Apparrently the vibrations deter the moles. Also you can buy expensive gadgets which have the same effect. She reckons the windmills work Perhaps you could plant a few around the Eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Musical birthday cards drive 'em mad as well . Rip the music bit out with the little tag which switches it on and off. Stick the lot in a container the mole cannot get into but lets the sound out and put underground, preferably in one of the mole tunnels. The batteries last for ages, and the mole will leave unless it likes the tune . This could work for rats as well, I have tried it but ratty got to the source of the noise and chewed it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 13, 2006 Author Share Posted September 13, 2006 Thanks I will give these devious plans a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 I wonder if it was a rat Sarah - aren't you near water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 13, 2006 Author Share Posted September 13, 2006 Could well have been Clare. The chicken pen backs onto a stream,& we have had rats in the chiken shed too (although all the poison has been eaten now ) so, yes a rat may have ben the problem, but there was a definite mole hill in the pen.....I guess i will just have to wait & see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
