4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[reggy81]

So tonight is our chickens second night and im starting ti feel worried again! Last night was awful, I could hear something in the garden moving about and then a strange noise over to the left and then thought I could hear noises all night - i'm sure they were no different to any other night! The chickens are locked in the cube with all doors shut but I just need some reassuring that there is no way anything can get them while they are in there, I know they prob cant, its all locked and shut etc but its worrying. The chickens were fine (Dotty laid her first egg already), did anyone else worry like this and how long til it passes?!

[bluekarin]

I think it's like being a new parent. You have all the wait, the preparations, and then you bring your bundles of feathers home and you're not too sure what to do, despite reading everything you possibly can. I did spend the first week checking the garden from the back door with my torch, just in case. But after a week or so, I stopped doing this, as now I know they are alright.

[Larkspurs]

I worried when we first got ours but it's so secure you'd have to be a cat burglar with a wire cutter to get in . We've had ours since 20th January and it all feels a bit easier now.

 

Then last night I heard the foxes scream in the fields adjacent from 2am till about 5 am, getting closer and closer then from different directions. What an unholy din! I've heard them PC (Pre-chicken) but they didn't really register. Last night I was out there in skivvies checking the run! lol

 

Anyway, I'm sure yours will be fine, it's just natural. Reassure yourself by testing the run and making sure everything is tucked up tight. I'm sure most people were like this too!

 

Cheers,

John

[Chillicat]

Isn't it funny how you hear things that you never heard before becoming a chicken parent?

I've had my four girls almost a year and hatched a fifth in September. The fifth one is a bit scatty and flighty, which I hope is only until she starts laying, so I'm up at the crack of dawn getting ready to let them out.....................and just the same at night, waiting just before it gets dark to make sure they are tucked up at night.

You're doing just fine and as long as they are locked in, they will be fine.

Would you like a tent? I have a spare one! Welcome to the wonderful world of chickens!

[reggy81]

Thanks, I think what I really just want to hear is everyone say ,"No, there's no way anything can get into the actual cube when its all locked up, yes they might scare the chickens as they can sense something there, but they cant harm there at all".

 

Can anyone please say that and mean it?!

It doesnt help that our bedroom is at the back of the house, I might have to sleep in my son's room!

[Larkspurs]

I doubt anything can get into it. It's got to be a nimble and crafty super fox to grab hold of the door handle, lift it up and twist. It's got no purchase for a fox to gnaw at too. Humans are another matter but foxproof? I'd say any Omlet cube or eglu is. I've not heard of any actual Cubes or Eglus being entered while shut.

[Suzy]

You'd have to have pretty intelligent foxes to work out how to get into a cube or eglu and I think there has not been one reported to date (recall seeing something on the forum somewhere)

 

If you are still worried, maybe get a foxwatch? It is meant to emit a high pitched sound that only foxes (and some dogs) can hear and is really horrible to them so they associate the area with unpleasant sounds and keep away. I have one, and whilst to date we have had no foxes (touching lots of wood right now) it is a reassurance and might help you sleep at night.

 

Failing that, try Ovaltine!!!!

[reggy81]

Well we made it through night 2 with me listening to my ipod in bed to block any noises! I'm feeling better about it now as thats 2 nights and we have got our fox watch coming today! I guess it is like bringing a newborn home, you suddenly worry about things but soon get used to them!