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Post by stricegill on Nov 27, 2013 19:55:48 GMT -1
Well, after nearly 4 weeks of trialling, I think I can share my idea of a "fox-proof" henhouse, especially as two of the rabbit cages have been attacked by a fox who has almost got in, but not quite, so he must be really mad by now!
I saw the idea at the Three Counties show - a very expensive model, but mine is the budget version:
Take a henhouse and raise it to about 6ft high on a pair of builders trestles (mine cost £25 on ebay).
Attach it firmly to a fence or building to stop it blowing over - I put tethering rings on the house and tied from these onto posts, bungy tied the henhouse to the trestles and tied the trestles to the fence.
Take a scaffolding pole or a piece of 2'x2' and cover it with chicken wire, then place at an angle from the door of the house to the floor.
The hens can walk up the pole and into the house, but foxy cant get up it.
I now don't put my hens away at night or let them out in the morning, they do it themselves, so no more rushing back before dark in the winter. The door stays open 24/7 and I still have all my hens.
I will try and take a photo of it if anyone is interested. My last lot of hens were all killed by a fox and I am sure I will lose some at some point, but as yet, they have all kept clear of him. The only drawback is using a stepladder to collect the eggs and cleaning out is a bit more effort!!
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Post by jaycee on Nov 27, 2013 20:13:35 GMT -1
I keep chickens so really interested in this, can we have a picture please?
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Post by benjismum on Nov 27, 2013 20:24:08 GMT -1
oh yes, would love to see a pic. Did you have to train the hens to go up the pole?
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Post by harveydales on Nov 27, 2013 20:53:30 GMT -1
\Yes pics please! I'm another who is in turmoil if I'm back late for any reason and the hen house is still open. I've lost many hens to the fox over the years........
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Post by stricegill on Nov 28, 2013 10:13:28 GMT -1
Will get a photo to post. We put the hen house at half height for a few days, then raised it fully. We put it at full height with all the hens in it, so they had to get out themselves in the morning and they all got the hang of it, although I hung around for a couple of evenings to make sure. I still cant believe they are all alive and that they all go back up to lay their eggs.
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Post by colmworthdales on Nov 28, 2013 11:48:01 GMT -1
Very clever idea. I have forwarded the link to a couple of friends who have had terrible fox trouble. Thanks
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Post by Debbie on Nov 28, 2013 19:03:42 GMT -1
Now that is a very, very clever idea. I'd like to see pics too please, if it's not too much bother? My hubby would love to possibly have hens in the future but our area has problems with coyotes. Perhaps this would be something to keep them alive long enough to enjoy the eggs  |
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Post by heathera on Nov 29, 2013 10:00:18 GMT -1
That sounds similar to the River Cottage ones. I'd be interested in seeing a picture but how do you stop the foxes snatching the hens during the day when they're out and about? That's when we lost our hens to the fox  |
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Post by stricegill on Nov 29, 2013 17:52:11 GMT -1
Here it is in all its glory!! Hardly a designer piece, but it seems to be doing the job.  I'd be thrilled to see some copies made. After all, I poached the idea from someone else! |
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Post by jaycee on Nov 29, 2013 20:10:32 GMT -1
Wow! That is impressive. Is it a bit awkward to clean out? It could be a little difficult for my grandson to collect the eggs but I can see the positive side too. I certainly have never seen anything like this before. I subscribe to the magazine " Your Chickens", they like readers to send in pics and I certainly think they would be interested in publishing this. |
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Post by harveydales on Nov 29, 2013 20:23:18 GMT -1
Wow! How long did the chickens take before they managed the pole without help? Not sure mine are bright enough to work it out. Having said that, mine do seem to like climbing up trees. Problem for us would be in the summer when tnhey get up so early and the fox is about. Great idea though.
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Post by katiekynoch on Nov 30, 2013 23:07:30 GMT -1
It looks brilliant. Do you take the step ladder away after collecting the eggs? Brer Fox might just discover that as an alternative means of getting his dinner!  |
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Post by stricegill on Dec 1, 2013 13:49:35 GMT -1
Foxy doesn't seem to have worked out the ladder option yet and yes, it is a bit awkward to clean out. I was amazed at how soon the hens got used to climbing into it. We started them off on the floor, then raised it onto an old rabbit run, then went up high and had no problems at all. I have now moved the alpacas into the field, so I am hoping they are a deterrent as well - they need to get back into my good books after spraying me with the contents of their stomach when I loaded them....  |
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Post by katiekynoch on Dec 1, 2013 15:19:34 GMT -1
Foxy doesn't seem to have worked out the ladder option yet and yes, it is a bit awkward to clean out. I was amazed at how soon the hens got used to climbing into it. We started them off on the floor, then raised it onto an old rabbit run, then went up high and had no problems at all. I have now moved the alpacas into the field, so I am hoping they are a deterrent as well - they need to get back into my good books after spraying me with the contents of their stomach when I loaded them.... Ooohhh yuk . . . maybe you could train them to do the same to the fox! Perfect deterrent |
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Post by stricegill on Dec 24, 2013 9:25:26 GMT -1
Still standing after the storms which is more than can be said for some of the trees round here. Still 12 chickens too - I really cant believe it!!
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