PSA: DO NOT BUY OMLET CHICKEN RUNS

[wat_da_cluck]

They are not predator proof. Yesterday one of my 2 satin bantams was found dead (she had been acting slow, so I thought maybe she had died in the corner and something tried to snack on her. Bagged her up and sent her for necropsy in case something was happening with my flock. WHELP - fool me once, shame on you - but fool me twice...
Today I found the other (and my 4 year old daughter's favorite) satin bantam being eaten by the culprit - A HAWK. I checked my ring video and the hawk was waiting in the bushes for the chickens to try to eat some pieces of grass and is somehow able to kill them. THROUGH THE FENCE. Of course the hawk is unable to eat them - but certainly spent a lot of time trying to (see feathers).

Point being - 1/2" or 1/4" hardwire mesh for runs is standard for a reason - and Omlet's absurdly large 1"x3" fencing cant even keep the chickens safe from hawks.

Spent the afternoon zip tying 1/4" hardwire mesh on the outside of the run until I can replace it in the spring with proper run.

Crime scene photos attached.

 

[woodworm]

I'm sorry to hear this. I briefly looked at their coops and runs a couple of years ago thinking it would be an easy way to get BYC but decided against it. Fortunately for me I'd been lurking here for a few years so had at least a 'baseline' idea of what makes a predator proof run. It's sad that these companies advertise their stuff as predator proof and large enough for x amount of hens, etc when they must know better.

This doesn't just apply to Omlet, it's most of these companies. I built my own coop and run in the end (based on a well known expensive YouTube chicken coop manufacturer - just with extra protection)

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I feel your pain. Raccoons will pull them through that type of fence too. A mink or weasel can get through that fence easily.
IMO, you can't buy predator proof housing. It must be modified on site or built from scratch.
Let me add that the bulk of coop manufacturers know nothing of the needs of chickens. I'd say that applies to at least 90% of them. Otherwise, why would they include more nest boxes than the number of birds their buildings would hold.

 

[My2butterflies]

I’m very sorry for your loss

It’s sad to say, but it’s not surprising. I have similar sized fencing used for my run and am well aware it is not predator proof. I also have no top on my run. A hawk or eagle got a slw back in the fall:/
It takes a lot to have a fully predator proof run.

 

[wat_da_cluck]

Thanks for the condolences.

I'm sorry to hear this. I briefly looked at their coops and runs a couple of years ago thinking it would be an easy way to get BYC but decided against it. Fortunately for me I'd been lurking here for a few years so had at least a 'baseline' idea of what makes a predator proof run. It's sad that these companies advertise their stuff as predator proof and large enough for x amount of hens, etc when they must know better.

I just searched for your plans and love your coop! I too looked at carolina coops but thought I could build for less... then ran out of time to build before snow so thought the Omlet would hold me over until the spring. I free ranged my chickens all summer and only lost one to a predator. Put them in a run - lost 2. UGH!

 

[wat_da_cluck]

I’m very sorry for your loss

It’s sad to say, but it’s not surprising. I have similar sized fencing used for my run and am well aware it is not predator proof. I also have no top on my run. A hawk or eagle got a slw back in the fall:/
It takes a lot to have a fully predator proof run.

Sorry to hear that. Hawks can be so bold sometimes.

 

[My2butterflies]

Sorry to hear that. Hawks can be so bold sometimes.

They really are.
What makes it even worse is that I was working on my pond that day just feet away from where it was killed. I never saw or heard anything. My roo was still very young at the time so he must not have tried to defend the poor girl. Ugh. Chickens are nothing like my guinea fowl. They are so good at watching out for predators. Hopefully now that my roo is a bit older he will keep a better watch over the girls. At least alert me to any problems.

 

[woodworm]

Thanks for the condolences.

I just searched for your plans and love your coop! I too looked at carolina coops but thought I could build for less... then ran out of time to build before snow so thought the Omlet would hold me over until the spring. I free ranged my chickens all summer and only lost one to a predator. Put them in a run - lost 2. UGH!

My parents had chickens before I was born and I grew up with them for many years and 25 years they only ever had one attack from wildlife. They didn't predator proof at all, maybe they just got lucky.

When we moved to our current house a few years ago (rural) I bought my wife a wildlife cam for Christmas and we saw badgers and foxes every night, even though we didn't see them through the day - otherwise I would have built a fence to keep the chooks in and not them out.

 

[Pentatonchix]

I am so sorry for your loss
For a great predator proof test, bring a dog on a leash near the coop with the chickens inside. My neighbor's dog was scratching, pulling, and barking but never could get in...so that's how we knew our coop was pretty predator proof.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The dog test won't help with mink or raccoons. Mink can easily get into a 1" opening and raccoons can climb a sheer wall. Dogs can't do either of those things.