Soggy run

[Lewis]

I had a fox come and visit my eglu classic on Saturday night It had a broody and her 2 chicks in it.

 

Heard the chicks screaming at 3am (was still awake) so I ran outside and saw the fox at the back of the eglu who then ran off with one of the chicks.

The broody is missing her tail and the other chick has a big cut across his head so have brought them inside until my WIR concrete extension are done.

 

Luckily Cilla + her chicks were in the Rabbit eglu which doesn't have the back tray, so they were ok.

 

Still no idea how it happened and had I not have seen it I wouldn't believe it, but he definitely did it through the gap above the poo tray

If others have a similar set up, just be careful and maybe put a plant pot and weldmesh at the back to cover the gap.

[lillybettybabs]

I can't work out how he did it if it was that small gap just above th poop tray, Did you have the perches

in or just the tray?

[Daphne]

Did he pull the poo tray out at all Lewis? Sorry to hear that I hope Mum and chick come out of it all OK.

[The Dogmother]

Sorry to hear that Lewis; I had something similar about 6 years or so ago with one of the first eglu classics; the top of the eglu easily lifts up from the base by about 2" at the back and the claw marks proved that was how the fox/predator did it. A small pekin I had at the time had a habit of sleeping right at the back and I think that was how the predator managed to get its claws in and kill her.

 

I put a brick in behind the roosting bars after that and positioned some big plant pots behind the eglu.

[lillybettybabs]

Blimey , Thankfully mine is just a run for the rabbits on nice days and a hen recovery unit.

[Lewis]

Sorry its so late replying!

 

There were no roosting bars in 'cos the broody was nesting at the back of the tray with her chicks.

He didn't pull the tray out but tbh I have no idea how he did it - if I'd have not seen him I'd guess it was a rat or something but he was at the back. Pulled all the broodys tail feathers out through the gap too.

 

They're both alright - chicks head is healing ok having been sprayed, but think it'll take a long time yet.

[The Dogmother]

There's a brilliant healing gel called Derma Gel by a company called Veterinus; it's amazing at getting things to heal quickly and with less scarring. I use it on the dogs when they've been marauding through cover, have used it on the bunnies too... fabulous stuff. Give it a go on the chick if it's not healing.