Poorly chicken

[superchickens]

Hi.

 

It seams our chickens have s"Ooops, word censored!"ed 2 holes in the nest area of our Mk2 Eglu classic, they have let water (from cleaning) into the base, any suggestion on how I can fix the holes - I wondered about silicon sealant? or duck tape? would these be safe for chickens or do you think they would peck at it/eat it?

 

help we are novices in the art of chicken keeping & eglu maintance!!!!

 

Thanks

& 3 ex battery hens)

[Cinnamon]

Really?

I couldn't imagine that a hen could make a hole.................are you sure it isn't the work of a rat or other gnawing creature working its way in?

[superchickens]

I don't think it is rats - the holes are in the top layer of plastic only.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

It does seem unusual for a hen to do that. Could you post a photo, do you think?

 

Silicon sealant is often mentioned as being pecked off doors/windows and eaten so might not be a good idea . Do you want to actually fill the holes or just cover them up so stuff doesn't fall through?

 

Someone made a cover for the cube nestbox hole which is a different shape but could probably be adapted.

[superchickens]

i'm not sure if i have attached this correctly i've never posted a photo on here before

 

but hopefully you can see the 3 whole or you could describe them as tears? any one got a suggestion on how i could fix these?

 

Edited July 14, 2010 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That is strange . I can't imagine what could do that . I don't suppose anyone stood in the nestbox somehow? Long shot, but could it be stress damage?

[Chucky Mama]

I agree with ANH. How old is it?

[superchickens]

not that i know...

I don't suppose anyone stood in the nestbox somehow

of, but we did inherit this run, so who knows but we still need to find a way to stop water/muck getting into the base when we wash it.

 

i was thinking maybe duct tape? or glueing a plastic patch made of part of a milk bottle and vinyl glue? but i'm hoping someone might be able to suggest what is safest for the chickens and most likely to work?

 

Help!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

It might be worth a phone call to Omlet. They might be able to advise you . I'm trying to remember if someone posted something about repairing damage to an eglu (or I just made that up ).

[The Dogmother]

If you mend it, I'd recommend using resin or fibreglass.

 

Very odd though, I can stand on the inner base of mine and not do it any damage.

[superchickens]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for you advice. I'm going to try and fix it this weekend (if it sever stops raining up here). Thanks for the tip about fibreglass will see what I can find in our provincial DIY store) but I rang omelet and they said you can also buy a replacement base for £32 which seams reasonable so if the patch doesn't work I at least have a plan b!

 

will let you know how I get on

 

Thanks

 

Superchickens (Dumfires and Galloway)

[Lewis]

Mine has a big rip like that in the nest box, been like it since I've had it and never caused problems ... I've left it as is

[Karen Morgan]

Does anyone know if rats can get into the eglu runs? I am hoping to leave the coop door open in the warmer weather to save me getting up so early to let them out but we have seen rats at the bottom of the garden when I put food on our bird feeder. I always bring the food in at night.