Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[jennym]

Hello all,

 

For the first time (that we know of) since we got our hens (May this year) we had a fox visit during the day. OH let them out of the eglu into the eglu run at 7:45 and we heard a proper racket at 8. A very healthy specimen of a fox was prowling around looking for a way in. Over the next 45 minutes he appeared 4 times and OH ran out to chase him off.

 

Now I'm wondering what we should do. Options I can think of are 1. install a foxwatch, 2. call pest control to remove Mr Fox, or 3. do nothing, and hope the run holds and it learns there's no food to be had here.

 

I can see pros and cons for both, and I guess I'd like other people's opinions before we make any decisions.

 

As our garden is shared with neighbours we've been trying to avoid building a permanent run, so we'd rather not lay paving stones or similar if we can avoid it. So the Eglu & run are on grass, pegged down on level ground. There have never been any signs of anything attempting to dig under, and we also have a neighbour who is usually home during the days - but not always.

[squiffs]

I can't afford a fox watch, and getting rid of one fox will only bring another in its place, so I live with the fact that if a fox comes on a the sniffle when I'm in the garden, he probably tries his luck during the day too. I will combat this by making sure I renew run clips when they get a bit worn - but my chookies are on the patio with heavy slabs weighing down the skirt, so I'm fairly confident they're safe in their eglu fort knox

[jennym]

Thanks Squiffs, we were planning on buying another extension to give them more run space for the winter, so that money would probably have to go for the foxwatch instead. I am tempted to just trust the run but it would be scary now that I've seen the little b....ahem, the lovely fox, who is only doing what comes naturally of course

[Tweety]

If I were you, I would spend the money on a run extension rather than a fox watch. As long as your girls are in the eglu run I think they are as safe as they can be.

You can always weigh the skirt down, as Squiffs has done, for extra peace of mind and without making it permanent.

[ohcarolina]

Spend the money on the run extension.

 

I know that foxes regularly vist my garden and climb on the runs (pawprints on the shades) and try and get my chooks. The only time I've lost any is when they were FRing and I'd taken my eye off them (just b4 Christmas last year when there was snow on the ground ). I've been out there at 6am a few times now and chased one off but they always return as thats the nature of my location - the edge of a new town and semi -rural, we have LOADS of urban foxes.

 

Just always be careful to shut them up properly.

 

BTW- I also have & in Rablus and they've been OK too.

 

Thank goodnes for my 'no foxes allowed' runs

 

Caroline

[richardr]

Hi Jennym,

 

Your doing everything right.

I'm inner London and Mr Urban fox is always sniffing around and not in the least perturbed by me.

Like you, I use (tent) pegs. I've hammered them in about every 6 inches. (The run is on grass(or what's left of it!).

I'm pretty confident, but not complacent.

Definitely go for the run extension.

 

Oh and get OH peeing around the perimeter of the garden.

It does nothing to deter the fox, but the sight of me doing it amuses the Mrs no end...

[jennym]

Thanks guys, sounds like you're all in agreement! I will make sure the pegs are secure and just try to chill out. Spoke to OH (also a Richard and a Dr....hmmm, have you joined the forum and not told me?!) this morning about doing his duties in the garden, at key access points

[Olly]

Just to add that if you don't want to put slabs down, you could just find some heavy plant pots and rest them on the skirt for added security. As long as the run is pegged down on firm soil, however, it should be ok.

[squiffs]

I'll add my slabs were huge ones I got free on freecycle, they were 3ft x 2ft, and I broke them up with a sledgehammer to line the runs on all 3 eglus cheap and cheerful and they're very heavy, have to grab em with both hands to pick them up so I know foxxy doesn't get a look in - I've found poop on top of my eglus in the past!

[chookingham]

Just wanted to echo richardr about getting all the males in your family and friends to help with 'watering' the garden. Best done regularly at the points where Mr Fox is gaining access..... my nephew took us too literally once when we told him to wee round the eglu....

[Happy Mrs Chicken]

I got a foxwatch but the batteries only last a few days so unless you can plug it in to the mains i wouldn't bother with one.I can't say whether they work or not as i've not seen evidence of foxes around before i got it,i just got one just in case.

[sandyhas3chucks]

my fox watch is wired top mains. no evidence of close fox encounters though ALWAYS ALWAYs about every night /morning , dusk... I saw one on the shed roof one morning on letting girls into the run..(out of fox watch range)

You have got the EGLU mesh underneath the house haven't you especially necessary on grass!!!

[jennym]

I got a foxwatch but the batteries only last a few days

 

Thanks, I was wondering about that as mains is out of reach for us so it would have to be batteries.

 

You have got the EGLU mesh underneath the house haven't you especially necessary on grass!!!

 

I've got the extra flap bits at the end of the run (the ones that now come with it), if that's what you mean? It doesn't go all the way under the eglu though

[sandyhas3chucks]

oh I really think the mesh under the house is a must... it is sold at Omlet for less than a £5 .

There have been instances of foxes digging under the (armpit) sloping bit of the house and getting into the run...

here http://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken+Keeping&sub=Runs+and+Netting&product_id=499&product_name=Run+Skirt+Square+-+Pair

[squiffs]

You mean the square corner piece of run mesh that comes as standard with new eglus, sandy?

[jennym]

Yes, I have those ones - thanks.

 

No sign of the little guy since Friday, though I have no doubt he's around. Who knows what he's up to in the night...

[vickichicky]

Yes my OH waters the garden too...

I also find solar lights work for me - especially flashing or changing colour ones. I had 2 dragonfly solar lights on spikes that go through colours of the rainbow, bought for my birthday - and after a couple of weeks by the decking on show.... they are now on the corners of my WIR

[sandyhas3chucks]

yes isn't that supposed to stop them digging in under the arched piece?