Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[Boybeck]

My chickens make their loud egg laying annoucements at 8am. Would it be unfair on a Sunday to leave them in the eglu house until 9am to muffle the noise and not wake the neighbours?

[Egluntyne]

As the days are shortening they need to be out once it is light or their laying will be affected.

 

Also, they will be hungry and thirsty.

 

I wouldn't make them wait till 9am for their breakfast.

[Guest]

bloomin' heck, when we first got our girls I couldn't wait to let them out in the morning! I still love to see them scuttling out in the morning. There was only one occasion when they were left in until about 9am and that was when hubbie took my keys to work by mistake so i couldn't get out to let them out. I was beside meself with woe.

 

What was the question again?

[Steph101]

Same here, I can't wait to see them hopping out for their feed, stretching their legs as dawn breaks, popping in and out to lay their eggs...

[Valkyrie]

Mine are never let out after 9, but with the nights drawing in we are letting them out a bit earlier each time to forage. Soon it won't be a problem because of the clocks changing at the end of the month. They haven't been bothered and will often wander around before diving in their porridge (except for Piggy Sioux and she is always on the scrounge for food). They don't appear to be thirsty either, not drinking until after they have eaten - if at all, Cheyenne usually has a few sips. I think it depends on the birds - you have to monitor them and if they seem too hungry or thirsty you will have to change the routine. A night time treat of slower digesting food helps them to cope till brekkers.

[RubyReckless]

I think it is necessary to compromise. How much noise, how close to the neighbours and how likely to be driven crazy the neighbours are VS how early the hens want to be out eating and playing.

 

Since we've had to shut them in (to muffle the 6 :30 a.m. noise) , rather than let them barge the eglu door when they get up, we keep them shut in until at least 8:30 on a Sunday. Then again, we've had pretty substantial neighbour problems, so we are trying really hard to be as accomodating as poss.

 

On the other hand, the hens free range all day with oodles of room to run about it (about 2m by 25m!) so although the late start once a week isn't ideal for them, on the whole I think they get a pretty good time.

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Mine are fine if I let them out a bit later - if I've stayed over somewhere and can't get back mega early for example. The earlier the better, but if needs must, I wouldn't feel guilty so long as it's not every day.

 

Anna x

[Egluntyne]

There seem to be two threads running on the same topic.