not fit for purpose?

lizzielou

I really need some help and I know there are some people on here who are great at this kind of thing.

I bought a chicken coop online (paid on my credit card via PayPal), made it up (all looked fine) and went on holiday. At this point I had not put my chickens in it.

Upon returning I put my three chickens in the coop, all happy for 3 days until late afternoon on Sunday something (presumable a fox) pulled a section of the wire clean from the frame and killed all my chickens!

Now to me if I bought an item called a chicken coop then I should be able to keep chickens in it, shouldn't I? I e-mailed the company, who on the third time emailed me back asking for photographs. I sent them, then sent 2 further emails asking if they had received them. No response.

Today I have rung them and had a very rude person tell me that the person dealing with the complaint isn't available, when I asked for the persons name there was a hesitation before it was given.

I am pretty certain that this company are not going to do anything about my loss, what can I do? I have totally lost faith in the coop and will be spending silly money on an Eglu now as I can't put my children through this again.

Many thanks for the help.

Liz

forgotmyname

Something pulled the wire.. I think you need to add more security no matter what coop you get.

You did keep chickens in it for 3 days. Unless it was made from totally unsuitable materials then i doubt they will do much.

Its been damaged by a person or animal. I presume they didnt sell it as 100% safe and secure from vandals and animals.

Bit like buying a car and then complaining to the garage that someone vandalised it. Its not sold as vandal proof.

lizzielou

Thanks for your reply

comeandgo

Sorry lizzielou but it di keep your chickens in, it did not keep fox out. Was it sold as being able to keep fox out? You need very good fences to outwit a fox.

molerat

To keep foxes out you need the coop inside a strong fence with the mesh buried in the ground.

lizzielou

I had the foolish thought that if it was sold to keep chickens in then it would. I wouldn't rent out my house knowing that it wasn't safe to house people. The fact they are ignoring me is very annoying.

I also have a rabbit cage which I keep rabbits in, this wasn't sold a fox proof, but the fox didn't get in that one.

Fosterdog

lizzielou wrote: »

I wouldn't rent out my house knowing that it wasn't safe to house people.

So what would you do to stop someone smashing a window and breaking in or picking a lock on the door? You can't make a building 100% secure (without alarm systems, guards with guns, guard dogs etc.)

What has happened to the coop is no different to a person breaking into a house.

Hintza

molerat wrote: »

To keep foxes out you need the coop inside a strong fence with the mesh buried in the ground.

As molerat says, if you are worried about foxes then the coop goes in a run. I don't have a run but my chickens are in a coop built into a stable. The have a wired section but it would never keep the foxes out. I have a big thick door and a solid door on the pop hole.

It sounds as if your expectations were too high.

*zippy*

I think only the eglu claims to be Fox proof.

Really sorry you lost your chickens, I've been looking at coops ready to replace ours and there is some real rubbish available now, think we will splash out for an eglu too.

whatmichaelsays

lizzielou wrote: »

I had the foolish thought that if it was sold to keep chickens in then it would. I wouldn't rent out my house knowing that it wasn't safe to house people. The fact they are ignoring me is very annoying.

I also have a rabbit cage which I keep rabbits in, this wasn't sold a fox proof, but the fox didn't get in that one.

My house was sold to keep my TV in. It didn't stop a burlgar taking it.

Cycrow

whatmichaelsays wrote: »

My house was sold to keep my TV in. It didn't stop a burlgar taking it.

then your house is not fit for purpose and you should get a refund