Wheels attachment

[Guest]

I'm sure you're sick of me posting the link to my new coop but....just in case anyone hasn't seen it

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220150886798&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=012

 

I need to know if I need to make any further modifications to make it impenetrable to any wandering fox.

 

We're going to make the nest box safer as it only has a hook/eye type arrangement. I was worried some clever Renard would nudge it with his snout and have at my chickens so we'll probably put some sort of lock on there. The fox can't get to the opening of the coop as it's inside the run. The door at the other end of the run will also be modified with a padlock or some such arrangement.

 

Oh and the roof of the run will be secured better too.

 

Is there anything I have overlooked? The fox wouldn't be able to chew through the wood or anything would it?

 

Please help me as I'd hate our ex-battery chickens to go through any more trauma or worse!

 

thanks

[Jools]

I'd definitely secure any fastenings - I use small karibinas (sp??) - the sort outdoor-type shops sell for keys etc - with hasp and staple fixings.

 

It's a job to tell how strong the mesh is on the run - it looks like weldmesh, which should be fine, assuming it's fixed on strongly. The holes look a bit big to me though - enough for a dopey chicken to stick her head through and have it bitten off ! Maybe you could add some chicken wire over the top for a belts and braces approach? The only other risk is a fox digging in and if you have foxes nearby, they will almost certainly try. You can buy sheets of weldmesh (we got some on e-bay recently) to make an eglu-type skirt around the outside, or you could fix it inside if you'd rather.

 

A desparately hungry fox will try hard to get a meal. It's possible that it could try chewing through the wood, but I'd say that's not the highest risk - there are plenty of wooden houses keeping chickens safe at night ..... provided they're shut in of course!

 

HTH

[Egluntyne]

It looks like weldmesh on the picture, but if I'm wrong and it is chicken wire, he will be able to bite through that.

[Guest]

thanks for the advice so far, the coop and run will be on concrete slabs and the girls will be shut up at night, is there a risk of foxes during the day?

[Guest]

the description says it's "black ppc wire." whatever that means?

[AnnieP]

It just depends on your area Poet. I got foxed during the day, but my girls were freeranging at the time (I had nipped inside to boil the kettle). The trouble is, you can't always be there to shut them in just at the right time....

[Egluntyne]

Never underestimate the fox. The urban fox in particular. They will take their chance during the day as well as at night. Dawn and dusk are the times you are most likely to see one, but they come out at any time in reality.

[Olly]

I do agree Poet - I don't know where you are based, but urban foxes will come any time of day or night.

 

They are certainly smart enough to nudge a simple catch or hook-and-eye apart, so a fixing that needs opposable thumbs to open it is a must! (Foxes haven't yet developed these, although it is surely only a matter of time )

 

I think digging/lifting the edge is the other risk, good advice above about putting some sort of skirt on. Never underestimate a fox!

[Guest]

god, I'm worried sick now! as the run/coop will be on concrete, nothing will get under but I might add an extra layer of mesh on the run- thanks all.

[woffle]

I'd second the addition of skirts as per the eglu run.

 

On a more worrying note for our chooks - chatting to our neighbours I discovered that they used to have chickens before we moved but lost the lot to mink! Supposedly they're even craftier than Mr Fox...

 

They also had a fox digging under buried wire but disturbed it in time. The husband is a font of country knowledge and he thought a lot of the eglu idea of skirted runs, I'm doing something similar with heavy duty chicken wire around our chickens fenced daytime run (they're restricted to a 6mx6m area during the day and put back into the eglu for their tea at 5pm).

[Jools]

Don't panic Poet - there are risks to keeping chickens, but it really is very good fun

 

The slabs sound like a very good idea and they'll make it easier to clean too. If you sit your chicken house on the slabs, so they become a bit of a skirt, there's no way a fox will dig in.

 

Think about adding some wire over the mesh on the run, just in case your chickens turn out to be stupid!

 

Some extra fastenings on any openings are a good idea too.

 

Then, provided you shut them up before dark, they should be safe and happy chickens.

 

Whereabouts do you live? If you're in a rural area, you're less as risk of daytime foxes. I live in a very rural area and I know there are foxes and badgers using the lane at the top of my garden. However, provided I don't let my bantams out too early, and I shut them up well before dark, I'm happy to let them free-range in their bit of the garden because the foxes round here still behave like proper foxes. That and the fact that everyone around here does the same.

[Richard]

No thread on deterring foxes would be complete without Richard advising you to urinate round the run on a regular basis. Foxes steer clear of areas marked out by male humans in that way.

[Guest]

thanks again guys.

 

Richard, I had to laugh at your post. I'd read that already somewhere. I'd also read that weeing in the compost bin was good too. I told my DH that he'd have to go around the garden marking his territory! Trouble is, we're overlooked on all sides

[WitchHazel]

I told my DH that he'd have to go around the garden marking his territory! Trouble is, we're overlooked on all sides

 

Buy a plastic jug - one which is different to any you use in the rest of the house - and keep it by the loo.

[Guest]

We have had a fox every night for months, but as soon as DH re-started marking his territory we haven't heard it - except after it rained. So where I was fairly sceptical about how effective this method was, I am now thinking it is more effective than I thought.

 

But you have to be secure as well. It won't work on its own.

[Guest]

I told my DH that he'd have to go around the garden marking his territory! Trouble is, we're overlooked on all sides

 

Buy a plastic jug - one which is different to any you use in the rest of the house - and keep it by the loo.

 

I once had to do a sample for the hospital and they give you those tiny test tubes to put it in, so I peed into our measuring jug (sterilised before and after with boiling water). I still use it in the kitchen!

 

I think I will get a seperate one for DH though!!!!

 

doesn't human urine attract rats though? That's what they said on "I'm a celebrity get me out of here" when Carol Thatcher was caught peeing in camp!?

[Richard]

thanks again guys.

 

Richard, I had to laugh at your post. I'd read that already somewhere. I'd also read that weeing in the compost bin was good too. I told my DH that he'd have to go around the garden marking his territory! Trouble is, we're overlooked on all sides

 

Yep - I'm serious. I am lucky not to be overlooked so can carry out my fox deterring without risk of being arrested for indecent exposure. A wee or three a day keeps the foxes away. I also keep a small container next to the compost bins as at 5'6" tall I'm too short to .... well you don't want to know the details.

 

But it works!

[Egluntyne]

thanks again guys.

 

Richard, I had to laugh at your post. I'd read that already somewhere. I'd also read that weeing in the compost bin was good too. I told my DH that he'd have to go around the garden marking his territory! Trouble is, we're overlooked on all sides

 

Yep - I'm serious. I am lucky not to be overlooked so can carry out my fox deterring without risk of being arrested for indecent exposure. A wee or three a day keeps the foxes away. I also keep a small container next to the compost bins as at 5'6" tall I'm too short to .... well you don't want to know the details.

 

But it works!

 

My brother in law stands on a step ladder to "activate" his compost heap.

[Helly Welly]

We have a plastic milk bottle for OH's pee to be sprayed around the garden. Mine and Abi's pee goes in a bucket for the compost heap.

 

The things we share on this forum

[Guest]

SO HUMAN URINE WOULDN'T ENCOURAGE RATS THEN?

[Gallina]

I always understood that you mustn't put pre-menopausal female urine on the compost heap because of the hormones. Is this just an urban myth?

[chickencam]

I thought you could only use male urine too

[lozkate]

All,

 

Our first hens arrived on Saturday . I've already let Finlay the big lab urinate on the run (deliberatey) and will continue to let him do so. We live in a rural area and there are foxes aplenty.

 

I do think that having a dog in the garden makes them think twice before they'll come in. My ultimate aim is to be able to let labrador and chickens run free during the day (probably supervised). That way if a fox does have a go he's likely to become labrador lunch.

 

I seem to remember Hugh F-W (River Cottage) hanging tights up with human hair in. Seemed a bit extreme at the time but now the girls are here anything seems normal behaviour to keep out the fox.

 

Good luck.

 

Loz

 

PS From dim and distant biochemistry study - over a normal compost period of say 3 months, Hormones are likely to be metabolised by the composting organisms so I guess it is an urban myth. That said if you're very close to stream or river and have great drainage you might affect aquatic life (but only if you drink (and pee) vast amounts in the same place over a long period of time!). You must pee on your compost.

 

PPS

 

Rats are there anyway.

[buffie]

Well I've learnt alot in this thread, I feel I know you all so very well

 

BBx

[lozkate]

Hi,

 

The significant OH just got home and....

 

I've just found out why you don't put pre-menopausal female urine on your compost heap......... All that kicking and screaming. I ask you!

 

Loz