Take part in study on PFAS 'forever chemicals' in eggs

[TheChookKeeper]

As some of you may remember, I posted a while ago about building a WIR for my chooks - as they have mastered escaping from the open run they have at the moment.

 

They all stayed in it fine for over a year. Then we got a new chicken - she escaped in about 10 minutes, and has taught all the others how to do it. The only saving grace is that they don't seem to escape over the fence, but instead over the gate we have in the fence - and if we block that up enough, they jump on to the eglu itself, then jump off that into the rest of the garden, ready to DESTROY.

 

 

SO - I was thinking about a WIR, so that they are fenced in from all sides... including most importantly ABOVE.

However, the size of my garden, my complete lack of DIY skills, and complete lack of money in any form have rather put me off that idea.

 

Then I had a brainwave. Spikes.

 

NO - I don't plan to attach each chicken to one! I was thinking of those pigeon spikes that are EVERYWHERE now - to stop pigeons landing in train stations, and around the town etc.

 

I thought maybe a line of those along the top of my gate, and maybe a line along the edge of the eglu (cube) that they can get to might stop them getting out over it? What do you think?

 

I realise it isn't the most elegant solution in the world... but you can't argue with the price - looking at about £15 to do the whole lot...

http://www.birdspikesonline.co.uk/Bird-Spikes/default.aspx

 

 

Thoughts?

[Snowy]

Hm, I'd be a bit worried about spikes to be honest If a pidgeon doesn't like what it's landing on, it can take off again without having to put it's full weight onto the spikes. Whereas chickens are liable to flap up and land on the spikes before deciding to try and take off again. You would be better off with a layer of very flimsy netting that they cannot land on to launch themselves over.

[abwsco]

This was our solution http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2915481454_726faf142a.jpg?v=0

[chelsea]

Looks a bit scary to me

[Plum]

ooh Anne you had grass

 

My girls did the gate jumping bit so I moved the gate and fence into their area so when they wanted to get out they march up and down the fence. Stupid birds they only need to walk back 3 ft.

 

I don't know if you can get the idea from this picture. The fence is across the garden level with the top of the steps and the gate is several steps down. Don't know if this gives you any ideas. The eglu well move it further from the fence

 

[Chucky Mama]

I am afraid that the spike idea is not a good one. Chickens are too heavy bodied to fly well and would not be able to hover over the spikes and choose whether or not they want to land as pigeons can. They are highly likely to land on one and injure themselves.