emoss Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Advice please. I needed to go out tonight but had to cancel. Due to the time change, my chickens had not gone to bed. Do you think it is safe to leave my eglu door open until I get back home (around 10pm). I have the run attached but not sure if that is 100% fox proof or not. Obviously, there will be other times when I need to go out and cannot cancel easily. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 I have left mine open till 10ish or later and they have been ok BUT I dont know your set up or fox risk - wehave been here 5yrs and seen a fox once but they are everywhere. Good luck on what you decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emoss Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 Thank you for your reply. We have quite a few foxes around, unfortunately. I had a fox attack the other night on my quail house. Fortunately, I had put chicken wire across the bottom of the cage and up the sides so, quite a few tunnels around and under cage but kept him out and quails safe. Not sure if the skirt on the run will do the trick. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElvisFan Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Do you have an eglo run ? If so you should be ok, I leave mine out all weekend and don't shut them up until 9.30 10ish in the week as they make less noise in the morning for some reason. I know its difficult but you have to be brave and go out and not let the chicks dictate whether you go out or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 in 3 years i've only shut the eglu door in the hardest depths of winter.... they'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 I've gone out early and come back after midnight before now and my hens have been fine. As said you can't let chickens stop you going out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyChickenLover- Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 The eglu run should be enough to protect them from foxes, but I'd close it as soon as you get back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 The Eglu run is definately fox proof - but I always had mine pinned down with tent pegs for extra security. It was rather amusing watching a fox looking at one of my hens (inside the run) and the look on her face of 'go on then, try it! Needless to say the fox gave up, though they are tenacious so and sos, and I could see where they'd tried (and failed) to get under the run skirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I was wondering whether to go away for a couple of days & leave them to their own devices. They have plenty of water in the glug & a huge feeder so that's not an issue. The run & eglu is on paving slabs set into the grass so a fox would have to lift up the skirt of the run to get in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Rusky is the skirt of the run weighted down with bricks or something? If so I am sure they will be fine as long as they have plenty of food and water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 It's got decking board side on to keep the hemcore in & that's held down with a couple of bricks each side. I may add a couple of small pavers too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Pavers would be handy I think as although the foxes may not lift the run they may push it over. They are very strong and determined when they want something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 If you're worried about leaving them why not post them in and shut the door. May get some black looks in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 last weekend I left mine overnight. Although i was paranoid about it They were fine when we got home. Shouting to come out and FR but all very safe. I dont know what our fox situation is as we have never seen one within a mile of here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52fish Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Alternatively ask your breeder whether they have a hen sitting service... ours (Raw Green Cottages near Sheffield / Wakefield) charge £1 per hen per day, which for peace of mind feels like great value for money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
