beach chick Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 morning all. girls woke up to their first morning with us and are very perky. found some slugs on the grass, so I dropped those in for fun - went down very well! anyway, once they are settled, I was planning to let them freerange completely and just shut them in the run/eglu when I'm away for the day/at night. however, I'm now beginning to think it might be better to get the Omlet fencing and poles, at least to start with. we've got about an acre and a half, which includes a field, veggie garden and 'proper' garden, plus a gravel drive, and there are loads of ways they could escape into neighbouring gardens and/or onto the sea wall which is at the bottom (or top) of our garden... has anyone used the Omlet fencing, and does it keep them in? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalikoo Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Hi, I've had the Omlet fencing for about a year now and I think it works a treat. Like yourself we have quite a large garden area and there were times the girls invaded areas like the veggie patch and caused havoc much to the annoyance of my husband. So we cornered a section of the garden with the fencing and it's worked great, although on few occasions I have found Honey on the other side as she magages to launch herself from the logs around the eglu over the top of the fencing, I'm sure if we moved the fencing back slightly she would not be able to do this so bear that in mind. Karen X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 You have to be careful to keep the fencing tight: if there are gaps underneath, the hens will find them. Otherwise, it is fine. But please beware of foxes. They are everywhere. The Omlet fencing won't stop them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 If you have a fox problem, you could try electrifying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I use it occasionly I fence off an area and stick them in it for a few hours. Change of scene new bugs etc. they seem ro enjoy it and hubby hasn't complained.....yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 It's very good to keep them either in or out of an area and is very inconspicuous (unlike the bright orange stuff you can buy!). I haven't tried electrifying it yet, but I wouldn't think it's that difficult - the worse thing would be keeping the ground clear beneath it to stop it shorting out. How lucky you are to have such a wonderfully big garden - I'm green with envy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 thanks for those answers, sounds like a good idea then, certainly at least until they 'know' where they live... we do have foxes, but not many, I think we are too close to the sea (that sounds a totally ridiculous statement now I've read it again!) I was thinking I would arrange the fencing so I could open the run and they could move out into the bigger area, and then obviously shut them in as and when. I've only ever seen 1 in the area, at night - silly question, are they around in the daytime? Jools - I wouldnt swop my big garden for the world, but it does take a lot of time!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Yes they are around in the daytime. Always be vigilant when your hens are out of the Eglu.....it is easy to be lulled into a false sense of security. I get on well with my Omlet netting.....although one of my girls has leapt over it from the top of the Eglu a couple of times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Just be careful at first. It sounds as though you're in the countryside, in which case you will be less at risk from daytime foxes. I've kept poultry for four years and they've always free-ranged in my garden (two gardens actually as we moved two years ago). I know there are foxes around because the farmers shoot them and I've seen and heard them. I know I have been lucky, but then so has everyone else nearby who also keeps poultry. I think that in the countryside, there's easier prey to be had? Anyway, maybe just let them free range when you are around at first to be on the safe side. Maybe also take a look at what / who is around you - does anyone else keep poultry and what precautions do they take? Good luck anyway - and welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 I think you're right that there is easier prey around, and I will definitely make sure that I'm with them when they are out and about. having said that there is a small farm a mile or so away, and their birds are always out in the field with the sheep, so obviously they do survive. our next door neighbour used to have chooks, and the fox got them over a period of a couple of years, but she was quite slack about shutting them in, and used to let them sleep in trees and stuff... she's planning to get some more soon. they were rather too freerange, and I did get annoyed because they always chose our patio to poo on, and my kids were only little then, and spent a lot of time grubbing about on the ground! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah71 Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I use the Omlet netting and get on with it really well. I've found putting a tent peg in the middle of every panel helps keep a) the chooks in and b) the dogs out. Although it is funny watching a dog try and fit his head through the fence panels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 This what I hope to do with my girls when I get them...I think the idea of the tent peg to pull the middle of the fence down is a good idea. Suppose I had better get some fencing ordered soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeman Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I am currently waiting for my omlet to arrive but I was concerned about the security of my garden. We had a fox on the drive at around 3pm a few months ago... I did think that the Omlet netting seemed to be a bit expensive. So I sourced some nylon netting from a specialist company ( I can let you know know if you like ) and bought a number of wooden stakes from FocusDIY. My wife thinks this looks alot better then the omlet stuff, This is high praise indeed ! bearing in mind my DIY skills. It has also cost alot less for double the amount of netting. I do have to point out that my netting cannot be readily electrified, unlike omlets. I cant wait for my chucks !!!! I have a holiday booked the week before and I'm wishing it away already... I hope this helps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 just ordered the Omlet stuff.... also some run pegs, and some corn and some spare roosting bars - shan't tell OH about the little extras, twould be a shame to unsettle him!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 just ordered the Omlet stuff.... also some run pegs, and some corn and some spare roosting bars - shan't tell OH about the little extras, twould be a shame to unsettle him!! Absolutely...What the eye doesn't see etc! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I recommend Omlet netting - yes it does seem expensive, but it's worth it. I also use tent-pegs, because it's not always easy to pull it as tight as I'd like, and they do find their way underneath, but mine have never escaped if it's put up properly. I use it to extend the area outside the Eglu, and keep them off my veg patch. If you happen to have a very small, extremely stupid cat then it IS possible for them to get stuck in the netting I think that's quite rare though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 By the way I wouldn't call it semi free ranging, I'd still call it free-range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 as it happens, we do have a v. small and v. stupid cat... he was chasing spiders up the chimney today!! however I think the girls have got the measure of him from day 1. where do you buy tent pegs?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Camping shops! If you aren't into camping you have probably never noticed - anywhere that sells outdoor gear (Blacks, Cotswold, Millets) - they are very cheap. Get the ones with a right-angle or a hook at the top - just like big skewers really. They will only be a few quid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted May 11, 2007 Author Share Posted May 11, 2007 thanks olly, we will be in town tomorrow, so will search out tent pegs. netting coming on weds I think, so will have to move the eglu and run over the w/e - 4 birds in a small space do a lot of poo & damage pretty quickly!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
