Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Sarattie]

I have had my eglu a couple of weeks now. I had a traditional coop prior to this for about 5 months which was on concrete and mesh was tiny and was completely rat prrof.

When I got my Eglu (which i love!) i was concerned that the wire wasnt rat proof so I have been vigilant about bringing in food at night and not feeding veggies in the run incase of left overs.

Today I went to let them out and noticed some digging entrance under the door to the eglu from inside the run. I moved the whole eglu to discover that "something" had been digging tunnels under the eglu adn left by one of the front arches under the egg door

I can only dread that it is a rat. If my OH finds out the chickens will go immediately. I have only had the eglu a couple of weeks and seems strange that one should only make an appearance now.

my worry is that it is located near to our shed which has easy access to the underneath (mainly thanks to digging bunnies)

 

Is it normal for them to tunnel under the eglu? Im worried they may be able to get into the actual house with the chickens.

 

help!

 

may be early closure for my chicken days!!

[Sarattie]

I cleared and raked underneath the eglu yesterday and again this morning there is evidence of some tunnelling.

I dont know what it is after as there is no food about at all.

im worried it may go up the hole in the egg area inside the eglu

 

its probably not wise to put poison underneath the eglu itself?

[UKMARCH]

Hi I'm not sure whether this would be coincidental or not I've had chickens for a few years and its only within the last couple of weeks have I had a tunnel into the WIR I think there are always rats around so I have traps and bait stations as a precaution. If you're old chicken house was on concrete could you put the eglu also on the concrete to stop any digging from underneath. I have also blocked the drainage hole in the classics with a metal plate and bolt to stop anything coming up from below but I imagine if they wanted to they could get anywhere my neighbours had an infestation as prior to them moving in the house was empty for a while and they got into the loft by climbing trees next to the property and getting in the eaves!

[Sarattie]

the old coop i stood on concrete slabs. I was told that this wasnt good for drainage so i removed them when i put the eglu in. I stand the house on a slab, id have to bury t a bit otherwise the eglu would be raised quite a bit.

 

hmm yes I think i may block the hole up too if this is what people do...

 

theyre not laying yet so they only use the egg place to poo and sleep in anyway!! and at least tha means no eggs for the rats to eat!

[mimi5]

Oh dear what a worry!!! I have a cube and run but move mine every 3days as it's on the lawn. I have 2 cats which are great a killing local flora and fawna but actually taking with my neighbour a few months back he said that before we moved in he and the previous owners of our house had a terrible problem with rats and mice in the joined garages!!! Thankfully none since and he hasn't had to put down traps or bait since!!!!

 

.......so maybe get a cat? Sorry I can't be more helpful!! But if it's any consolation we have our own worry in that we have heard foxes around at night!! So worrying about that!!!

 

Keep us posted!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I would definitely put your eglu on slabs. There's no problem with drainage - I had mine on slabs for 2 years with no problems.

 

To avoid the problem of the eglu being higher, I put a path of slabs down one side (made getting to the eglu in wet weather much easier!) and used bits and pieces of slab under the run skirt on the other side.

 

This photo shows part of what I mean.

 

[Sarattie]

Ooh love your perches in the run! Good idea!

I don't really have the space to put the skirts on slabs especially on the far side.

I could try laying it lower so the run sits on the mud still.

If the run was narrower gauge I'd sit the whole thing on slabs

 

I'm using this forum on my phone but as soon as I get to a computer I'll upload a photo of my eglu and bantams!

[Egluntyne]

I agree ... no problems with drainage. All my Eglus are up on slabs.

[sandyhas3chucks]

mice burrow into my run every winter. I think it is warmer underground...

[Sarattie]

 

and the chooks although this was about a month ago so they are bigger now!

Mrs Ginger think some sort of pekin cross?

 

and the wyandottes

 

Here you can see the old coop in the background with the slabs before the move about

[zakjon-98]

They are lovely The pekin cross is very cute, might she be a pekin x japanese?

[missusmac]

Hi Sarattie, I've only had my eglu and run 3 weeks but have seen no sign of digging as yet although I'm paranoid about it as my eglu go is on earth and grass, not slabs.

 

What made you change from the wooden coop to the eglu? I'm curious because I'm getting some chickens for my school soon and have been debating whether to get another eglu or to get a small wooden coop. I need something the children can manage and access easily and, whilst I love my eglu so far, do find access to the chickens via one door in the run and one in the go, a bit tricky. I wondered if the children would be better off with a wooden coop and run with roof access.

 

As you have used both, what would you recommend?

[mimi5]

Missusmac, I've also had both wooden (1st and now cube!) If it's a cheap cocoon(not sure I can mention that, but mine was from them) tpye coop I really wouldn't bother. Very poor quality and it warps in the wet, probably wont take to many winters either. I still have mine and used it again over the summer for my broody and her chicks.......horror of horrors it got redmite, argh!!!!! It's empty again now and I may just tip it, which seems a shame, but I love my cube!!!! So do my 6 pekins!!!

 

I would just do your homework and spend as much as you reasonably can, but for ease of use & up keep I'd say eglu everytime. Only my opinion though!!

[sandyhas3chucks]

The classic has better access in my opinion .ajanta door in the side of the run is good there is a photo somewhere of what some one did

[Sarattie]

The eglu is way better for the children too as they can help clean and is so easy and quick

I agree the run access is awful but there are pics here about how to add a door on the side. My reservations would be resale value if I've fiddled with it!

[sandyhas3chucks]

wouldnt put many off. i wouldnt think they hold a good price...

nut why would you be wanting to sell?