squidsin Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 I went out this morning to let the girls out and they came tearing out bok-bokking with relief - and no wonder. A fox has dug a hole under the back of the Eglu! He'd managed to get the dirt tray out, too. He hadn't got anywhere near my girls, but they were obviously a bit shaken - as am I! I knew we had foxes round here -but I slept in the spare room last night as hubbie was snoring so loudly and it overlooks the back garden where I keep the chooks, and I didn't hear a thing. I'm a really light sleeper too. I'm going to get some slabs from Wickes this morning to put over the Eglu run skirts (I've actually done that most of the way round already but there are a few gaps), and I suppose it's passed the first test in not letting Mr Fox in - but how fox-proof are these runs REALLY? Eeek! Nervous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Knowing that a fox has been near your girls is such a horrible feeling. We had one run in with our freeranging girls. It was only luck that DH saw it as it entered and chased her off. You are doing all that you can in ensuring that the fox is unable to dig under. There are 'preventaive' measures you can take in the form of male urine, human hair etc - but I don't think that any of these will deter a hungry fox. Our fox keeps coming back and trying. We're now going for the 'shooting' approach! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Oh no! Make sure you have securely fitted the extra squares for the run skirt (they go just behind where the run joins the Eglu) as this is a potential weak spot - see this post and it gives links to them in the shop, in case you don't have them already. If Mr Fox attacked the poo tray, then I'd be putting hefty great bricks behind it to lock it in position and make doubly sure he can't scratch his way in - they're determined so and sos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Sorry to hear about the runin with Mr Fox. I suppose it is reassuring that he didn't manage to get into the eglu. The runs are fox resistant rather than fox proof but it sounds as though you are taking the right precautions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsin Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 Oh no! Make sure you have securely fitted the extra squares for the run skirt (they go just behind where the run joins the Eglu) as this is a potential weak spot - see this post and it gives links to them in the shop, in case you don't have them already. If Mr Fox attacked the poo tray, then I'd be putting hefty great bricks behind it to lock it in position and make doubly sure he can't scratch his way in - they're determined so and sos Mine was a new Eglu a couple of months ago and my husband (who is good at such things) set it up for me so I think it's got the extra bits. I've just bought some slabs and put them all round it - I'd put them under it only I can't lift the Eglu on my own so that might have to wait until the weekend, but if a fox does attempt to dig in in the same place, he'll be stunned by concrete falling on his head which should hopefully act as a deterrent! I definitely won't be leaving the run door open at night and will brief my neighbours' kids (AKA the hen-sitters) to shut it for me when we're away. I'd hate to lose one of my ladies, even though they have just been helping themselves to my new bedding plants almost as I dig them into the border.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
