Eglu Cube Run vs...

Apr 14, 2021
21
33
69
Central NJ
I have been avoiding getting chickens for years. Let me tell you about our backyard "friends"

We have a bear(s) that knocked down my beehives once, there's now a bear fence and that has worked amazing, bear was thoroughly zapped trying to get the bacon bait, haven't seen it on any of the game cameras in years.

We have at least 2 dens of foxes on the property

At least two pairs (do they stay together all year?) of raccoons.

Not sure how many opossums.

A lot of black vultures, which I have read that unlike turkey vultures (which we also have!) they will predate on chickens

A nest of red tail hawks that live right over my shop that have had chicks almost every year

Our rescue dog is some kind of terrier and wants those chickens in the worst way. Have been working on this but never the two shall meet!! The dog's kennel is on other side of the house and the dog knows all about the bear fence. Our dog is not an off leash pet either.

My husband decided the Eglu Cube and run inside the bear fence can handle many of these guys after a lot of research. After years of looking at coop ideas and building we had to be honest with ourselves we are not builders and do not have near the skills I have seen you guys have on this forum!! Some of the coops on here are incredibly secure and well thought out! But we know our limits and had to go with purchasing at least a good baseline to start with

My question is:

What additional safety measures do I need to add to this set up? How can I add to what is there?

Any advice on which animals can get right through our defenses? How can I improve?

Our young kids are so in love with the chickens that not only would I be very upset, but the kids would be devastated.

We did receive the automatic door and have installed finally! Also my shop where I work is on the property so I am "home" all day and am often finding myself watching chicken tv.... there should be a warning how many hours one can spend watching them!! Much more interesting than a fish tank, for sure!
 

dennisma1

Crowing
13 Years
Dec 29, 2008
195
233
251
I'm not familiar with the coop is there a pic? I live in rural florida half year 3+ acres. The girls free range. I worry more about bald eagles because they are out in day. Red tailed are also a problem ( killed an older chicken ) but I have mostly red shouldered and they ignore chickens. Both kind of vultures around they have never been a problem. ( did see my chickens follow and harass a vulture walking in the yard once) I have a 4 foot livestock fence and two chicken protecting dogs. At night birds go in a chain link pen. Coop is closed but wouldn't stop a bear hope chain link will! It's almost impossible to keep them totally safe. You might check out post by other guy today he has devised an alarm /camera that recognizes predators. Title says FOX DOG artificial learning. Something like that.
 

cmom

Hilltop Farm
Premium Feather Member
14 Years
Nov 18, 2007
31,519
35,403
971
Florida
My Coop
My Coop
I would say it would be fine as long as you have them inside the area where your electric wires are. I have electric wires around my coops and pens and once the predators know they are there they don't mess with them again. I have never baited my wires but have heard a critter come in contact with the hot wires. I think they teach their young that a bird isn't worth getting zapped for. I do have concrete under the gates and good heavy duty netting covering all of the pens. I believe my electric wires are my best defense. Good luck...
 

cmom

Hilltop Farm
Premium Feather Member
14 Years
Nov 18, 2007
31,519
35,403
971
Florida
My Coop
My Coop
I have vultures around here. I see them every day flying around. They have never bothered my birds. I was after a fox with a live trap and caught a vulture in the trap but just let it go. If they bothered my birds I would eliminate them. I am also rural on a dead end road. My property is mostly open pasture so no places for the birds to hide from some predators, but that is not always a guarantee. Again, good luck...
20200720_111521.jpg
 

APKS

Chirping
Jun 29, 2022
38
81
56
Kansas
put child safety door knob covers on the egg and back door levers. determined raccoon could easily open the Cube without something else to lock it closed. the omlet auto door is also great - very secure.

use lots of Hardware cloth on the run and secure the included run skirt to the ground with landscape staples.
 

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