All 3 chickens stopped laying today

[Chicken Momma]

This morning it looks as if something like a Longtail or even a Polecat has been trying to tunnel under the Eglu Go! They were digging under the back door but did not seem to get very far.

 

Is this something I should worry about? I mean could whatever it is tunnel enough to get into the Eglu at night when the girls are asleep?

 

If so what can I do about it?

[good_egg]

Perhaps you could buy some of the weld mesh panels and sit the go on that so you have a kind of skirt round it as well? Would seem a long way to dig, but I'm not an expert!

[Olly]

Difficult to know, without knowing what it is that's digging but perhaps you can gauge from how far it got in one night. I think the only thing you can do is lay slabs under the edge of the Go and run, or a sheet of weldmesh as suggested above. Could it be rats?

[Chicken Momma]

Thanks Olly and Good Egg. I had forgotten you could buy extra bits of mesh. I think it is a Longtail (I'm from the Isle of Man and we don't say R.A.T! ) but it didn't get very far - even in the really soft earth following a lot of heavy rainfall.

 

My logical mind says that whatever it is would be unable to gnaw through the flat base of the Go - but my heart says "Do something!" You know how it is!

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

[ohcarolina]

I think it will/could gnaw through - I have a feeling that I've seen posts on that. Don't quote me on that but better safe then sorry

[Goosey Lucy]

Yes it can gnaw through the plastic. One had a go at my grub and glugs where they were hung onto the side panels

 

They will burrow/dig underneath. Is there a drainage hole in the body of the Go?

 

The best solution I can offer is to have the Go on paving slabs so they can't get to the underside and make sure you bring in the grub at night and clean up any food spillage. If after all that you're still seeing evidence of My Ringy then give the pest control department a call. Once they know where a food source is they're not likely to give up.

 

Lucy x

 

P.S. I'm in Douglas on Tuesday if you want me to come and have a look...

[The Dogmother]

If it's a 'long tail' then they can chew through mist this except sheet metal. There have been recorded incidences of them chewing in through the bottom of a Classic before but the Go is made from a totally different plastic, having said that i wouldn't take a chance and would sink some slabs under it.

 

Do take Lucy up on her offer; she knows what she's talking about.

[Goosey Lucy]

Bless you DM

[The Dogmother]

Yeah, and she'll eat all yer cake!

[Chicken Momma]

Drat Lucy! Have only just seen your kind offer and now it is too late (being Tuesday and all). When might you be down this way again?

 

For now I have decided to live and let live - the R has been here longer than the chooks to be fair. My OH is on his way home with some wood chippings/shavings and I shall order some extra skirting for the Eglu at the back.

 

All three creatures seem careless of each other (although the R legs it each time one of the chooks takes a step towards it)

 

I do remove the feeder and all bits of food at night and lock it away so I am hoping this will help.

 

Thank you and t'others for your support and advice.

 

Warm regards

Angie

 

P.S. I DO have cake - and yes - you can eat all of it!!

[The Dogmother]

I'd take all the feed in at night to dissuade regular night time forays. the problem with chicken feed is that it contains vitamin K, which is an antidote to rat poison!

 

Do you have a catapult?

[Goosey Lucy]

Yeah, and she'll eat all yer cake!

DM! I am speechless! Although your lemon drizzle cake was to die for

 

No worries Angie, today ended up being more hectic than I thought it would so I wouldn't have made it to you anyway. Maybe next week? And despite what DM says I won't eat all your cake

 

You're doing the right thing removing the food at night, that will help. If you are seeing one longtail during the day you can be sure there are plenty around at night...

 

Although he was probably around long before your chooks he'll be spreading the word about all the lovely free food that's available now if only enough of them can distract your girls

[Chicken Momma]

I'd take all the feed in at night to dissuade regular night time forays. the problem with chicken feed is that it contains vitamin K, which is an antidote to rat poison!

 

Do you have a catapult?

 

 

Hmm! A catapult!! Rather have a rifle .. but there's probably a law about that.

 

Vitamin K an antidote to longtail poison? You can't win for losing can you!

 

[Chicken Momma]

OK here's the plan ...

 

Gonna buy enough wire mesh to go right under the Go and extend a bit at the sides. Then I will lay the woodchip stuff over the top as originally intended.

 

NOT going to worry unduly about longtail visits to the run during the day. My girls are Street Chickens and can handle themselves

 

Thanks Lucy and Dog Mother. Cake might have gone by next week Lucy - but I can always bake again!

 

Positive thinking is the name of the game. I'm sure they are safe inside all locked up (I even rousted them out at bedtime so I could check between the roosting bars!)

 

Ever onward!

 

Angie

[Goosey Lucy]

Plan sounds good, let me know if you need a cake umm run inspection

[The Dogmother]

Plan sounds good, let me know if you need a cake umm run inspection

 

I might have to come and help you out with that one Lucy

 

Angie, good attitude. Personally I'd get some baited traps down, but with two lurchers anything which remotely resembles a rabbit or squirrel doesn't stand a chance in our garden

[Goosey Lucy]

I might have to come and help you out with that one Lucy

Ooh do! It would be lovely to see you again, it's been such a long time. ES still talks about your course, he fell completely in love with your little Poland lady.

 

Then again there might not be enough cake if we were both there...

 

Sorry Angie to hijack your thread, I often get lead astray by DM

[The Dogmother]

Sorry Angie to hijack your thread, I often get lead astray by DM

 

*ahem* Pot... kettle...black!

 

We'll make it over there one day!

[Goosey Lucy]

Give me enough notice to get the baking started when you do...we even have enough room to put the three of you up now!

[The Dogmother]

should I bring the hounds to go hunting longtails?!

 

Anyhow, we digress!

[Chicken Momma]

Ladies Hi!

 

You're not the only ones to go off on a tangent! Did I ever tell you about the time when I ........

 

You'd be very welcome to come down with Lucy Dogmother - not sure how my Lab and Springer would react to the Lurchers though! OK in the summer when we can get out for a walk off the lead but not right now when we are surrounded by sheep! I am TRYING to train them to the lead but they are not often on the lead so it's a bit tricky. You should see me in the winter with them both on a lead going downhill in ice etc. The Lab is not too bad but the Springer zig zags back and forward like a cat!

 

On the chooky front all seems well. Our hairy friend was back in the run for lunch and no-one was concerned in the slightest - except me. How many calories are used running wildly down the garden shouting :Haway you little B*****d!"

 

Got some woodchips now so waiting for the wind to die down before we spread them in the inner and outer run.

 

Meanwhile both Betty and Margo (Margo having obliged with a 66 gm-er after her 'day of rest' yesterday) are 'having a little lie down" in the inner run. Incidentally Margo hopped up on to the top of the Eglu today and I think she was stretching her wings when a gust of wind took her into the garden and she spent a few happy moments pecking in the marigolds.

 

Worse than kids!

 

Let me know when you feel like coming down. Only day I can't do next week is Tuesday.

 

Cheers

Angie

[The Dogmother]

It'd be along trip Chicken Momma as I live on the mainland near Oxford! Thanks anyway.

[Chicken Momma]

It'd be along trip Chicken Momma as I live on the mainland near Oxford! Thanks anyway.

 

 

Oh I misunderstood! Thought you were on the Island near Lucy!

 

 

Well if you are ever here......

[The Dogmother]

easily misunderstood... we used to live fairly near each other and Lucy once came on one of my courses it's an aim to visit the IoM though one day; anyone know what the restrictions (if any) are on taking dogs there?

[Chicken Momma]

easily misunderstood... we used to live fairly near each other and Lucy once came on one of my courses it's an aim to visit the IoM though one day; anyone know what the restrictions (if any) are on taking dogs there?

 

 

No restrictions at all as far as I am aware. You can even get special seats in the 'dog area' if you don't want to leave them in the car while you do the ferry crossing.

 

You should come. It's a fabulous place!