3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Tricky]

There have been several posts lately about foxes getting into Eglus.

I myself have had two attacks that I am aware of by a fox that have both been foiled by the Eglu.

 

The only evidence at an attempted break in was a ripped tarpaulin cover. ( I learnt after the first one that it was much cheaper to by a tarpaulin from B&Q for £4.99 that £20 for the flimsy cover that Omlet sell, which lets be honest isn't really fit for purpose.Looks nice but thats about it really.)

 

Of the hundreds of people that have used this forum and own Eglus I wonder how many foxes have actually breached the Eglus defences and got in It would be interesting to know.

[gongladosh]

I would guess it's a small number.

 

Basically you should be ok if:

- you put your eglu on slabs

- you have a full layer of slabs around it

- you put the skirt on

- if the surface the slabs are on is solid (rather than bark chippings)- this one's important

- if you put it together properly

- and you locked the doors

 

People in the past have had foxes get in because the mk1 eglus didn't have the skirt extension beneath where the eglu's lines curves up [under the nest box]. Omlet have issued these as standard kit for some time.

 

The other thing I do apart from using a foxwatch is put bricks on top of the skirt all the way around.

[surfer_chicken]

Slightly terrified now! I'm assuming you're talking about break ins into the run? I assumed the actual was impossible to get into with the door shut.

[Chooks76]

I don't think Monsieur Reynard knows I have chickens yet. He certainly hasn't got into the Eglu. If he does scale the 6ft fences I hope I'm there to get a kodak moment. I like foxes so I wouldn't be too rough on him.

[Tricky]

Yes,I meant break ins to the run.

[CluckyBucks]

I had one occasion where a fox tried to dig its way into the run, but the skirting foiled its plans. After this, i put paving slabs all the way round on top of the skirting to toughen it up, and also used cable ties to secure each run attatchment. I havent had any problems yet (touch wood!!) And theres no evidence of a fox trying to get into the eglu, as long as the doors are shut and secure, i dont see how they could get in.

 

xx xx

[Olly]

I don't think Monsieur Reynard knows I have chickens yet. He certainly hasn't got into the Eglu. If he does scale the 6ft fences I hope I'm there to get a kodak moment. I like foxes so I wouldn't be too rough on him.

Hate to say this, but if there is a local fox, he's probably known about your hens from the day they arrived - he will have heard them and smelled them, and may well have visited at night when you're not there to see him. A 6' fence is no obstacle to him, he'll climb it as easily as a cat can. It's always best to be on your guard.

 

As far as I know, there's no case of a fox getting into the Eglu itself. The run has been breached a few times, mainly if it's on soft or sandy soil that's let a fox dig underneath. There are a couple of instances where a fox managed to swipe a hen through the run, but it's very rare.

[Willow]

I had a fox chew through the clips holding the run sections together. Didn't get in as I replaced them with cable ties but visited more than one night to try the clips.

Edited May 28, 2011 by Guest

[suzannejoy]

I hate a fox chew through the clips holding the run sections together. Didn't get in as I replaced them with cable ties but visited more than one night to try the clips.

Thanks for that , I will check mine tomorrow . I have foxs every night going around the run and cube something to keep an eye on I think .

[Tricky]

no confirmed break ins yet then

[sadietoo]

I don't think Monsieur Reynard knows I have chickens yet. He certainly hasn't got into the Eglu. If he does scale the 6ft fences I hope I'm there to get a kodak moment. I like foxes so I wouldn't be too rough on him.

 

He will scale the 6ft fences (with relative ease in my experience) once he knows you are there

[gongladosh]

A fox can manage 10 feet if necessary.

 

I also tend to put a brick in front of the dropping tray so no fox can somehow get it out...

[Tricky]

Still no confirmed break ins

[Tricky]

That's it then.No confirmed break ins

Correctly sited the "Eglu does exactly as it says on the box"

[Redwing]

That's it then.No confirmed break ins

Correctly sited the "Eglu does exactly as it says on the box"

 

agreed. If a fox is able to undermine slabs or a deep bed of woodship then he will get in