Omlet cube and run

[johnandkymberley]

Hi all,

Our hens have a cube and a classic in a netted area (Omlet netting) its a big size and has shades, sand, mud, plants and even lights in!! The hens are only allowed out in the pen when we are in so in the meantime they are in the run(s). We let the hens decided whether they want to sleep/lay in the classic or the cube.

Yesterday morning though, in the bright sunshine I noticed a HUGE fox in the pen. I have never seen a fox near the hens before, even when they had full free range of the garden. We watched it for a while, looking at its behaviour. The hens didn't make any noise? And it didn't scratch or anything to get in the runs. It did look but I know the runs are safe. Thank god we hadn't let them out!!! So hubby scared it off and we realised it came over the fence. We could put plastic spikes on the fence but then our cat goes up there sometimes and I don't want her to hurt her paws, would this happen???

So now I daren't let the hens out, which is not fair on them I know. They are trying to grate themselves through the run!!

I am so concerned that the fox was out in broad daylight and obviously feeling brave.

What would other chicken keepers do?? Let them out and carry on as normal or leave them in until we feel safe again??

 

Thanks in advance, really need some guidance on this

 

J&K

[Luvachicken]

I'm afraid I wouldn't trust the fox at all.

The chances of him sneaking back when you turn your back are pretty high.

 

I have seen the fox a few times in the morning and he gets my girls really agitated, then the other day he came at 3 in the afternoon, and then he came on Good Friday with his dear little cub - as if to say 'this is where you get chicken from'

 

Mine are in on omlet run with a wooden run attached to it. I got the wooden run because so many cats were eyeing up my chickens.

I'm so glad I got that run now because they should be safe from foxy and I'd never seen him in the garden until recently. They would all be gone if I hadn't bought it.

[johnandkymberley]

Thanks luvachicken, so you didn't let your out again and bought them a bigger run? Xx

[Luvachicken]

No, they never come out.

I felt guilty the first few times but they have loads to dig in - like a big sand pit but full of soil and the soil in their actual omlet run. They have a ladder to climb - but none of them do, and 2 of those veggie hangers, and wooden mushrooms to climb on.

They also have a couple of big rocks to sit on. They seem quite happy.

 

When I ordered the run the guy said "wouldn't it be cheaper to just get new chickens" but I wouldn't want them to get hurt, so I spent my savings on the wooden run.

[johnandkymberley]

Hiya,

I know what you mean!! What do you think about the fence spikes? Have you seen them?? Xx p.s what are the wooden mushrooms? Xxx

[Luvachicken]

I'm not sure about the fence spikes.

I think the fox would still find another way into your garden.

 

The wooden mushrooms are big wooden mushrooms, kind of like a little stool. I got them on the way to the Cotswolds one day, from two blokes who lived in a caravan and sold wooden carved stuff on their grass. They make handy chicken perches

[Olly]

Foxes are all around, so this probably isn't new to the area; you just haven't seen him or her in daylight before. Urban foxes are not scared of humans because they interact with them so much. A fox can get in anywhere a cat can get in - so plastic spikes are not likely to deter them.

 

I only let my hens out of their walk-in run when I am IN the garden, and even then I sometimes worry because I could be at the other end of the garden and something could happen. If you are out there gardening, then I don't see any problem with letting them out into their pen, but I wouldn't do that and then go back into the house or go out - you know he can get into the pen easily, and s/he will take any opportunity.

[Egghead68]

I have the fence spikes (prikka strip) and I have plenty of cats in my garden so I don't think they can bother them too much. Not sure whether they act as a fox deterrent but they are part of my armoury.

[Eggasperated]

I assume it's not the netting that can be electrified? That would be one solution but expensive if you have to start with new netting.

[auntielizzie]

If by fence spikes you mean spikes that sit on top of fences, then these are no deterrent to foxes. My mum's neighbour had spikes on 6 foot high fences all round her garden and the fox got in and took all her chickens last year.

[johnandkymberley]

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses.

 

The hens are looking pretty sad they haven't been out since the fox and I'm unsure whether to let them out or not?? At the moment buying a walk in run is not an option as we don't have the funds for that unfortunately. And to all those people who will respond and say I shouldn't have pets if I can't afford 'proper' housing etc we spent a lot of money on their enclosure and didn't see a flaw in it until now. Also I don't have spare ££££'s hanging about. Well we have 0p savings. So anyway I'm really stuck. I love the hens but don't want them to be unhappy?? Xxx

[merlina]

You can let them out in the netted area when you or another human is around

If you're worried about getting them back in their runs, you could do it just before bedtime as they'll take themselves off to bed when it's dark

 

I have something I call the 'day run' that looks a bit like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rabbit-small-pet-run-/290897376638?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item43bad5b57e

 

(I think mine's bigger)

You can buy panels or make them yourself pretty cheaply. I move mine around the garden so they get a different bit to scratch at (and it saves my lawn from being completely destroyed!). Some days they get to be in this; some days I just let them FR completely

 

It wouldn't stand up to a prolonged fox attack, but would provide some protection (I weigh mine down with paving bricks, so the fox couldn't get in easily/for awhile)

[johnandkymberley]

Hiya Merlina,

My set up is what we call the 'eglu village' the hens have a big space at the back of the garden that's netted with the Omlet netting. It is in a corner so at the back and the side there is fences and its all permanent fixed into concrete not in grass. Both eglus (we have a cube and a classic up there) are secure as they are paved etc no fox could get into them!!! We let them out into the village as much as we can. They can't get out of it and has lots of things in like soil, sand, shades, plants etc to keep them occupied. So they have the runs they are secure in and them its all surrounded by the netting, if that makes sense? I'm just worried about the fox coming back when they are out xx

[mimi5]

I have a cube with 4 metre run, now permanently sited with woodchip on the ground.(used to trundel it over the lawn.....had to give up too muddy ) My pekins are always desparate to get out!!! They love the grass and generally rumaging around in the garden!!! So, on weekends and my 2 days off I try and let them out for 2 or 3 short bursts while I can be around with them! (usually doing chickeny realted cleaning etc!!) This seems to work and I know they are safe.

[johnandkymberley]

Hi mimi5

 

Thanks so much for that, I had never thought of it that way!!!! That also fits around my work and lifestyle so it's deffo do-able!!! Might do me some good to get some more fresh air lol

 

The hens are going to be thanking you