The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: northfifeduckling on January 24, 2018, 08:53:16 pm
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That time of the year again where one soft egg can set the girls off on the wrong path....
Last year the crows walked through the run into the eglu when the occupants were out and stole 2 wooden eggs, previously they carried off even marble and ceramic ones. I've been looking at cheaper options, does anyone use the rubber eggs? Are they peckable or do they damage easily? I'm not keen on plastic, they seem very lightweight and hens aren't stupid. Any experiences to share, anyone?
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We bought a load of 'joke' rubber eggs from Ebay about five years ago. They've worked really well, except for the time my Dad thought he was being really helpful and put them all in the fridge for us! ;D
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:roflanim: thanks, Womble. Peter's done the same with the wooden ones, really proud he was as well to have collected so many eggs! :thinking:
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I have rubber eggs working well too. The surfaces show some cracks, but not disintegration, and they are nearly 20 years old!
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I've always used a few old golf balls as fake eggs, and it seems to work.
William
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I have some of the hollow ones and some rubber ones, both seem to work. I wasn't a fan of the hollow ones but on ebay you can get 5 delivered from china for 99p so def worth a try! I place a board in front of the pop hole so the hens have to squeeze behind that to get in and out of their house. Seems to put off the crows and magpies
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Have you tried covering the run? Baler twine and split feed sacks would do. Crows generally like a clear view around them and what is effectively a tunnel may be too much for them.
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We bought solid rubber brown eggs from Wilko's about 8 years ago. They are very heavy and are probably bullet proof! The surface doesn't mark, in contrast to pot eggs which mark easily and won't clean up.