hammy72 Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 (edited) I am going to have a go at setting up my eglu and run tomorrow and the netted area. Since I made the decision at the start of the year to get some chickens I have done lots of reading, used this forum, visited people with chickens and taken my dogs to meet them (all fine they just sniffed them!!). However, the more I find out the more worried I get about how to fox-proof their lives but give them safe space to roam in. I am only going to get 2 rather than 3 because of advice from this forum as the space they will have is only 6mx2.5m and I will try and find out how to electrify the fence that I have. I bought the eglu and run because I thought it was fox-proof but reading this forum it had been suggested that concrete slabs are needed too, rather than just the pegs that omlet sell. Edited July 14, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 If the ground is quite solid then the pegs will be fine to hold down an Eglu run, its if you have loose soil (eg flowerbed) or put the run on a thick bed of woodchips you'd have more of a problem - far better to peg the run down then add the bedding If your Eglu is second hand do make sure it has the two square bits of mesh that sit slightly under the Eglu itself where it joins the run so a fox cant dig diagonally under the Eglu The clips can perish so if they are secondhand then add some cable ties or buy some nre clips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 well have now cleared the space and tried the eglu and run at the top and bottom of the space. I'll probably move it between the two areas anyway. I also have 25m netting which came with the sale so that can fence off a bit for free-ranging and include some of our lawn whilst keeping the chickens and dogs separate (I'll also be supervising). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Lovely shady area for them with their own lighting Pretty garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Thanks PLUM - this is the part of the garden that my husband was willing to give over to them because we can't grow plants there 'cos of the shade but it has nice trees. However, I have now noticed an area behind our greenhouse that would be perfect for a walk in run, it used to have our shed on it so is a concrete base which might help with my fox-paranoia. That will be for next year tho' if I want to get more and have managed to look after 2 chickens successfully!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Give you time to motivate him too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 That looks a lovely area for them, mine love foraging around under trees and bushes. Look forward to pictures of your chicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Thanks PLUM. I am letting him name one of them too. Think it will be a Goldline. He is quite keen on the name "Doori" as in short for Tandoori!! The other one is going to be a White Sussex so I am thinking of "Chickpea" being the vegetarian "peace-bean" eater that I am (although I like the name "Snowflake" too). I have set up the first part of the eglu and run. I am finding it helpful to do a bit at a time so that I can get the ground as even as possible and put it together really securely. Have found some heavy sleepers that were our vegetable bed which I will treat and then use to weigh down the eglu run skirt as well as secure it with the screw pegs. I have got new clips from Omlet as suggested but am also going to get cable ties. Will post the next lot of pics soon and by the end of the month will have some chick-pics to show too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted July 14, 2011 Author Share Posted July 14, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Your dog is gorgeous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 I heart Harvey! lovely set-up too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa C Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Your area is lovely! Your chooks are very lucky... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share Posted July 20, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Gorgeous dogs and idyllic setting for hens . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 That looks great love the dogs too, agree with the potential WIR space you would even have somewhere dry to watch them from in with the seedlings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
