munchkin Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 This might sound daft, but I'm worrying that i can only let the chooks out when i come home from work - 5.45pm. Either I am watching them or I've got my poor suffering OH on foxwatch whilst they are freeranging as we have foxes in the area. We can't risk taking our eyes off them whilst they are out. Are they happy in the run (regular run supplied by omlet)? Or are we best to try and make a larger permanent run. Is the convertor worth considering? I've only had them since 12/4/08 and I'm worrying already!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Two will be fine in the standard run, but they will always appreciate the extra space if you do decide to get a converter. You are wise only to let them freerange whilst you are around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 The normal eglu run is fine for 2 chooks. However big a run you have they will always try to guilt-trip you into letting them out if they know you are watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 As the evenings are getting lighter they will get more and more free range time after you come home from work. Mine stayed up really late at the height of ast Summer. In mid Winter when it gets dark so early I was shutting mine away by 3.30pm before I went on the school run. So a converter would be handy in winter. If you have the room (and the money for one) the convertor is nice addition anytime of year and my girls love the extra space, but then I've 4 hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munchkin Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 Thanks for the reassuring advice. I'll try and stop worrying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I got the converter and think it makes quite a difference to their "floor space" (I have 3 girls). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 The standard Eglu run is designed to be big enough for two small (i.e. hybrid) hens to be kept in all the time. But the convertor would give them a bit more scope, and is certainly necessary if you go up to three hens. And if you go to four, then you need a convertor and an extension. Most of us are in the position of having to keep our hens cooped up, and can only day-dream of beautiful walk-in designer runs. Very few people can let their hens free-range safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Very few people can let their hens free-range safely. It seems I may be one of those people. I came back from work yesterday to find my girlies happily free-ranging. I'd let them out while I was doing the dishes at 8am . Although I'm mightily relieved, I'll not be making a habit of it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Very few people can let their hens free-range safely. It seems I may be one of those people. I came back from work yesterday to find my girlies happily free-ranging. I'd let them out while I was doing the dishes at 8am . Although I'm mightily relieved, I'll not be making a habit of it . Glad they were okay ANH. Must have caused your heart to skip a beat tho?! Our paranoia is around oversleeping, rushing out to work & half-way up the motorway realising we've forgotten to open the eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Mine are out most afternoons (i work at home) only if i am in the house i wouldn't go out and leave them but when i'm in i constantly check on them. Never seen a fox anywhere in the vicinity nor has anyone else but i am aware they could be around and always lock them in at night. Its a risk you choose to take i suppose, any sign of one and they would never go out alone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Sorry to sound like the Prophet of Doom, BarbaraJ, but the first time you may know about a fox is when one of your girls is taken. It's just that there have been so many sad posts on here recently about 'foxing', another one this morning where someone lost all three hens in the night. Please be cautious, foxes don't just come at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 You'r not worrying over nothing, i was te same when I first got mine. But I think that If they have a suitable amount of space, they will be fine in their run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
