Nesting box modifications in Eglu Go Up

[MammaT]

Oh boy. We were away on Saturday and found a damaged quail on our return yesterday. I cleaned and isolated her thinking it was a result of quail-on-quail violence. I heard a strange noise, like someone running a stick on railings, very early this morning and it turned out to be a rather large fox attacking the hutch the quail are in. I can't believe it somehow managed to get enough of it's paw through the bars to kill one and slightly damage another.

 

Luckily, I finally integrated all my chickens into one eglu about 2 weeks ago so, I put the quail in the unused eglu as an emergency measure. Unfortunately, I took the run apart to store it so I'll have to transfer the birds back to the hutch to reattach that today. I don't have a small bird kit so I'm going to get some plastic lawn edging from B&Q today and some more cable ties.

 

I know they'll be safer in the eglu if/when the fox returns but I don't think they are as easy to get into the eglu at night as the chickens are they? To be honest I'm more concerned that the shock may kill them if nothing else. Will the eglu run bars keep a fox paw out?

 

I'd be grateful for any words of advice.

[teacake]

sorry to hear about the fox .

[scarlettohara]

The only thing I can suggest is to put some conifer branches in the run for them to hide in at night, no guarantee that they will do that though Sorry about the fox attack

[beach chick]

sorry to hear that MammaT. the conifer branches are a good idea,but I dont think quail are the brightest sparks...

[MammaT]

I'm not counting my chickens but they are all out in the run enjoying the sun and hiding in the long grass. They all seem perky and no more flighty with me than they normally are. I'm going to dig out some empty flower pots and track down some suitable branches to give them a bit more cover. I'm hoping that during the evening they all pop into the eglu at some point so that we can shut them in - for my own peace of mind more than anything else.

I've only put one section of run together for them as I thought two might be a bit much for them on top of every thing else.

They all seem strong, if a little ruffled.

 

Thanks for all your advice.

[scarlettohara]

I'm contemplating getting some quail but have to agree with Beach Chick they do seem a bit daft Nice eggs though !

[beach chick]

I'm contemplating getting some quail but have to agree with Beach Chick they do seem a bit daft Nice eggs though !

 

lovely eggs - when they actually get around to laying them...

[MammaT]

Yes Beach Chick, I know exactly what you mean. I've had about 9 eggs this year and I doubt I'll get any for a good while now after this shock. I love to hear them chirrup though, that's how they get round me every time I'm complaining about their virtually non-existant level of egg production.

[beach chick]

I've had to move mine today - they were in the electric fence, but the chooks have undermined the security by scratching - hard- around the edges. so I've moved them outside the electric fence and put them onto long grass. they seem to really love it, but am a little bit worried about whether they will have the wit to snuggle up in the middle of the runs...

[MammaT]

Well I managed to close mine in the eglu tonight as they all went in of their own accord. Last night they stayed in the run - dozy things - it worries me when they're out as they seem to settle up against the fencing which is not too bright in the circumstances. There were feathers everywhere this morning, giving me a heart attack, but they were all there. I think it was the male having a good preen and getting rid of damaged, loose feathers.

All have been fine but I'm still wondering every morning if they've all made it through the night. They did seem a little more subdued today than usual so maybe the shock has set in.

 

And the fox has been back to check up on his source of take-away meals as I've found fox poo. Boy, I thought the chicken poo smelt bad enough. Yuk