Omlet cube and run

[zaniyah]

I'm quite upset. I've only had my eglu since Feb of this year, but I lost a hen last week because the plastic clips on the run door gave way and allowed a mink to gain access to the run. It happened during the day, while I was away but my neighbour was in and was able to let me know what happened. The only reason I did not lose two hens is because one was (and still is) broody, so is currently in separate accommodation nearby.

 

I am pretty sure that the clips were fine in the morning, and although the plastic shows stress marks on many of the clips I didn't expect them to outright bend. The three on the run door were put there by the nice delivery chap who installed my eglu and run for me. The door itself had also been bent, so I have for now bent it back, but now I'm concerned in case it happens again.

 

Has anyone else had this happen to them? I'm out in the countryside, but also have fox trouble from time to time, but the fox has never been able to breach the run before. I shut my hens inside the eglu coop each night and let them out bright and early in the morning.

[Christian]

Sorry to hear you have lost a hen

 

Mine haven't snapped, but I guessed that the constant opening and closing of the run do would take it's toll on the plastic clips. I have reinforced the 'hinge' with metal keyrings x 3 just to make sure.

[Egluntyne]

That's a good idea, Christian.

 

I inspect the clips and change them when they are showing signs of fatigue.

[sadietoo]

After we had a fox attack on my eglu classic run, (my run cover was ripped to shreds) but fortunately it didn't manage to break through into the run I reinforced all my joins in my run including those on the door with cable ties.. including the doors...cheap but very effective.