Electricbarbarella Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I can't decide whether to let the gorls out or not, I have friends dd round and all girls playing upstairs so ican not go and sit in the garden with them but I am in the house. They were out most of the day yesterday and we didn't have any escape atempts. Should i risk it? I will not be far away, just not out in the garden with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I don't sit out with mine all the time, so I'm sure a quick supervise every now and then will be OK unless you have any particular escape/fox issues. I often find one or more of my lot dropping by the patio or kitchen door while they are free-ranging, just to check in with me (and see if there's any treats looking for a home!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 I've let them out, I have rounded the children up and they are doing crafts at the dining table so i can supervise both. fizzbomb keeps coming in bless her, she is turning into my favourite but don't tell stripey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I know a lot of people don't let their girls out unless they are physically with them in the garden. I think its a matter of assessing your situation and taking a measured risk. I let my girls out into the garden when I'm home. I may be in the bath, or pottering around the house. I'd rather take a small risk and give them more fun. I do try to keep windows open though so I can hear any alarm calls. I guess theres no right answer, each of us has to decide what they are comfortable doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 We let ours out aswell but fortunately we have a chookcam so we can supervise them via the laptop! We do keep checking on them alot aswell. Foxes are not a problem here I've never seen one. That doesn't mean it will never happen, it still a risk but one we do take. Ours free range late afternoon/evening. Love the name fizzbomb by the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsallen08 Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Hiya I only let mine out when Im out in the garden but thats only because I have veg that they like to pack though. Come autumn and they will have all the top garden to roam as they like! It definately does them good for a roam and a scratch no matter how big their run is they want all the garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 they seem to be fine with minimal sup[ervision, when i am confident that they are ok to free range as much as possible and they are a safe and b don't trash my garden then i am thinking of getting some ex batts in an eglu with no run, or jut basic run for emergencies. Don't know how viable that would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I do let our girls out while I'm in the house - I look every 5 mins or so. It is a risk, I know, but I've not seen a fox in almost a year and they can't get out of my garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surferdog Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Ours are out on their own too but garden is fully enclosed. Even so we had a scare last night when we thought we'd lost Coco. Normally she comes running when called but no response. Just as I was starting to really panic OH found her safely tucked up in the eglu. She'd taken herself to bed early and obviously that was the last place we'd check.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I do the same as ANH. Just check them or call to them from the door every five minutes or so. I feel a bit guilty when I call them as their little faces are looking up for treats and they are not always there! We had a fox attack when we first got them but that was thru night, he ripped the shower curtain that was covering their eglu run to shreds!! Very scary but I've not seen any evidence of them during the daylight hours so far. It's a risk, but you just have to weigh it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLK69 Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Hi Mine free range all the time when I am pottering about in and out and I find I sense when something is wrong (too quiet their in the strawberries, too noisy their laying an egg, all boooking as a flock then next doors cat just been seen off) A bit like babies you get to know their noises Just assess your own risk and go for it - a shorter happier life is surely better than a longer caged one? Susie and the 4 exbatts (soon to be 5) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piptiddlepip Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Let my "top chook" out this evening for the first time (was too scared to let all four out at once in case they all scattered, flew into trees, etc and thought one was easier to cope with at first). She was perfectly happly rooting about in the bark, weeding for me and eating insects. I was in and out making a cup of tea and doing a few jobs and though I kept a fairly close eye on her she wasn't within my sight all the time and she was fine. She was more interested in eating caterpillars than making a break for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
